![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alchemy on June 26, 2011, at 12:53:00
I have a pretty good job but have only been there 4 months and my resume has breaks for the last 3 jobs. I am single and the place that I live is sunny, nice, and good for my mood. Old things grose me out, and I feel more "trapped" with small apartments and hearing people.
Going to work for a few hours is good for me to good out, but the rest of the day makes me feel psycho, watching the clock, and miserable. I recently actually started taking some alcohol to get throught the last part of the day. And I am not a drinker. (nor an addictive personality). I also wonder if the agonizinig time at work is worth being able to pay for where I live. (my car is a piece of junk, but I don't really care about cars)
I don't qualify for short-term disability because it's pre-existing, nor fmla because I haven't been there a year.
I guess that leaves me with disability. I am going to have to get ECT. How do people afford to live if they are single with barely any money? I've alway pushed myself to work, but it's getting too much. And if I do get better, my resume history sucks.
Posted by desolationrower on June 26, 2011, at 14:02:38
In reply to What do you do when you can't work anymore?, posted by alchemy on June 26, 2011, at 12:53:00
back in the old days, start a riot.
something for ADHD lke bupropion might help feel more engaged; helps for me.
-d/r
Posted by alchemy on June 26, 2011, at 15:20:22
In reply to Re: What do you do when you can't work anymore?, posted by desolationrower on June 26, 2011, at 14:02:38
> back in the old days, start a riot.
>
> something for ADHD lke bupropion might help feel more engaged; helps for me.
>
Unfortunately, I already take Wellbutrin, and sometimes Dexedrine. Dex doesn't seem to really help, and now days it gives me stomach anxiety.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 26, 2011, at 15:54:47
In reply to What do you do when you can't work anymore?, posted by alchemy on June 26, 2011, at 12:53:00
Oh dear. I always think use it or lose it, even in regards to work. However, I don't really know how single people live in a place like you describe. It sounds like where I live. Rents are ridiculously high, even for a ridiculously ravaged state such as CA. And everyone here has to drive except for a fortunate few.
So you have very practical stressors on top of your health issues.
I read recently that alcohol actually exacerbates anxiety. This doesn't seem like it would make any news, except it was new scientific evidence that explained why--you know, the same sort that explains why benzos should be a last ditch resort. I thought I'd extend a friendly caution. Last week or so, in despair, I had some wine. I haven't drank in years because of meds and also because I just don't tolerate it. Well, I still can't.
I'm going to go back and read your rTMS updates. You sound better in this post, despair aside, so I want to see what didn't work and why ect is back on the table.
fb
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 26, 2011, at 17:47:06
In reply to Re: What do you do when you can't work anymore? » alchemy, posted by floatingbridge on June 26, 2011, at 15:54:47
I'd say keep working for as long as you can, even if you need to take a elave of absscence to have your course of ECT.
Posted by Phillipa on June 26, 2011, at 19:32:52
In reply to Re: What do you do when you can't work anymore?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 26, 2011, at 17:47:06
Have you applied for disability in the past? As I'm betting you know the amount of payment is based on how much money you have earned over your lifetime. Without someone or equity in something don't know either. It's quite scarey. Phillipa
Posted by tepi on June 26, 2011, at 22:50:29
In reply to What do you do when you can't work anymore?, posted by alchemy on June 26, 2011, at 12:53:00
> I have a pretty good job but have only been there 4 months and my resume has breaks for the last 3 jobs. I am single and the place that I live is sunny, nice, and good for my mood. Old things grose me out, and I feel more "trapped" with small apartments and hearing people.
>
> Going to work for a few hours is good for me to good out, but the rest of the day makes me feel psycho, watching the clock, and miserable. I recently actually started taking some alcohol to get throught the last part of the day. And I am not a drinker. (nor an addictive personality). I also wonder if the agonizinig time at work is worth being able to pay for where I live. (my car is a piece of junk, but I don't really care about cars)
>
> I don't qualify for short-term disability because it's pre-existing, nor fmla because I haven't been there a year.
>
> I guess that leaves me with disability. I am going to have to get ECT. How do people afford to live if they are single with barely any money? I've alway pushed myself to work, but it's getting too much. And if I do get better, my resume history sucks.
What are you suffering from? Social phobia?
You seems pretty similar to me . When I read it seems you are posting about my life
I tell you you keep working for the money , maybe you can get something , a med , that makes your life better . Also you may look for an easier job
It sounds your are still young , dont worry about your resume history yet
Tepi
Posted by sleepygirl2 on June 27, 2011, at 11:32:27
In reply to What do you do when you can't work anymore?, posted by alchemy on June 26, 2011, at 12:53:00
It can be quite exhausting right?
If I didn't have the bills I do, I'd quit and find an easier job.
I just feel constantly overstimulated.
I hope things get better for you.
Posted by zonked on June 29, 2011, at 12:25:55
In reply to What do you do when you can't work anymore?, posted by alchemy on June 26, 2011, at 12:53:00
> I have a pretty good job but have only been there 4 months and my resume has breaks for the last 3 jobs. I am single and the place that I live is sunny, nice, and good for my mood. Old things grose me out, and I feel more "trapped" with small apartments and hearing people.
>
> Going to work for a few hours is good for me to good out, but the rest of the day makes me feel psycho, watching the clock, and miserable. I recently actually started taking some alcohol to get throught the last part of the day. And I am not a drinker. (nor an addictive personality). I also wonder if the agonizinig time at work is worth being able to pay for where I live. (my car is a piece of junk, but I don't really care about cars)
>
> I don't qualify for short-term disability because it's pre-existing, nor fmla because I haven't been there a year.
>
> I guess that leaves me with disability. I am going to have to get ECT. How do people afford to live if they are single with barely any money? I've alway pushed myself to work, but it's getting too much. And if I do get better, my resume history sucks.I am assuming you don't live in California or DC, which rules out State Disability. That leaves you with SSDI/SSI. I would recommend you call a disability attorney (the yellow pages should be fine) should you decide to pursue this, as the process is cumbersome.
If you are approved, the good news is that you should get Medicaid right away, which will take care of doctor's visits and meds. Medicare will come a little bit later. If you've worked enough and qualify for SSDI, it will come within a year - if not and you just get SSI alone, you'll get Medicaid right away but Medicare will take another two years. (I know. It's utterly confusing.)
While the amount of money isn't great, the health coverage is *really* helpful.
And it's not a permanent sentence either - I expect to be working again by the end of the year.
Whatever you do, do NOT apply for SSDI/SSI alone without the aid of an attorney or paralegal. Any little check box wrong or one piece of missing or slightly incorrect information and your app will be rejected, which will set you back at least 3 months. (Just my advice.)
-z
Posted by floatingbridge on June 29, 2011, at 17:55:30
In reply to Re: What do you do when you can't work anymore? » alchemy, posted by zonked on June 29, 2011, at 12:25:55
> > I don't qualify for short-term disability because it's pre-existing, nor fmla because I haven't been there a year.
> >
> > I guess that leaves me with disability. I am going to have to get ECT. How do people afford to live if they are single with barely any money? I've alway pushed myself to work, but it's getting too much. And if I do get better, my resume history sucks.
>
> I am assuming you don't live in California or DC, which rules out State Disability. That leaves you with SSDI/SSI.
I would recommend you call a disability attorney (the yellow pages should be fine) should you decide to pursue this, as the process is cumbersome.
>
> If you are approved, the good news is that you should get Medicaid right away, which will take care of doctor's visits and
meds. Medicare will come a little bit later. If you've worked enough and qualify for SSDI, it will come within a year - if not and you just get SSI alone, you'll get Medicaid right away but Medicare will take another two years. (I know. It's utterly confusing.)
>
> While the amount of money isn't great, the health coverage is *really* helpful.
>
> And it's not a permanent sentence either - I expect to be working again by
the end of the year.
>
> Whatever you do, do NOT apply for SSDI/SSI alone without the aid of an
attorney or paralegal. Any little check
box wrong or one piece of missing or slightly incorrect information and your app will be rejected, which will set you back at least 3 months. (Just my advice.)
>
> -z
This sounds like very good practical advice. Does anyone know if it's wise to get this process started (since it can be very lengthy) prior to deciding (to accept disability)?Disability leave isn't inherently permanent, though I think people tend
to think of it that way. When I was on unemployment for awhile, I was
surprised that I felt very guilty for applying and accepting it. I needed to be reminded that it is part of a national safety net, however threadbare it may
be, and it is really just o.k. to accept this help.I did have to to deal with the attitude of my postal carrier (wtf!) whose attitude towards me became a little icy when my
checks started to arrive :-/Please don't let anyone's attitudes/
opinions cloud your decision making process. Taking care of yourself is important. I support that any which way.
fb
Posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2011, at 22:03:44
In reply to Re: What do you do when you can't work anymore?, posted by floatingbridge on June 29, 2011, at 17:55:30
I got my medicaire disability right after my short term job disability ran out six months was the length of job one. My pdoc hospitalized me and applied and got it right away. Wow things have changed this was 15 years ago. Phillipa
Posted by auntvi on June 30, 2011, at 14:06:52
In reply to Re: What do you do when you can't work anymore? » alchemy, posted by zonked on June 29, 2011, at 12:25:55
> > I have a pretty good job but have only been there 4 months and my resume has breaks for the last 3 jobs. I am single and the place that I live is sunny, nice, and good for my mood. Old things grose me out, and I feel more "trapped" with small apartments and hearing people.
> >
> > Going to work for a few hours is good for me to good out, but the rest of the day makes me feel psycho, watching the clock, and miserable. I recently actually started taking some alcohol to get throught the last part of the day. And I am not a drinker. (nor an addictive personality). I also wonder if the agonizinig time at work is worth being able to pay for where I live. (my car is a piece of junk, but I don't really care about cars)
> >
> > I don't qualify for short-term disability because it's pre-existing, nor fmla because I haven't been there a year.
> >
> > I guess that leaves me with disability. I am going to have to get ECT. How do people afford to live if they are single with barely any money? I've alway pushed myself to work, but it's getting too much. And if I do get better, my resume history sucks.
>
> I am assuming you don't live in California or DC, which rules out State Disability. That leaves you with SSDI/SSI. I would recommend you call a disability attorney (the yellow pages should be fine) should you decide to pursue this, as the process is cumbersome.
>
> If you are approved, the good news is that you should get Medicaid right away, which will take care of doctor's visits and meds. Medicare will come a little bit later. If you've worked enough and qualify for SSDI, it will come within a year - if not and you just get SSI alone, you'll get Medicaid right away but Medicare will take another two years. (I know. It's utterly confusing.)
>
> While the amount of money isn't great, the health coverage is *really* helpful.
>
> And it's not a permanent sentence either - I expect to be working again by the end of the year.
>
> Whatever you do, do NOT apply for SSDI/SSI alone without the aid of an attorney or paralegal. Any little check box wrong or one piece of missing or slightly incorrect information and your app will be rejected, which will set you back at least 3 months. (Just my advice.)
>
> -zZonked, thanks very much for the practical info on SSDI. I'm planning to ask my meds MD about this next week. Chronic depression, unemployed, no insurance, 58 yrs old.
Alchemy, I'd say stay in that job as long as you possibly can. Can you work from home part of the week? Go to part-time temporarily?
AuntVi
Posted by zonked on June 30, 2011, at 14:46:14
In reply to Re: What do you do when you can't work anymore?, posted by floatingbridge on June 29, 2011, at 17:55:30
> This sounds like very good practical advice. Does anyone know if it's wise to get this process started (since it can be very lengthy) prior to deciding (to accept disability)?As soon as you can. The legal standard to qualify for either or both is if the disability is expected to prevent one from working for a year or longer, or if the condition is expected to result in death.
In my case, I had to be HEAVILY persuaded (and I'm glad I was) because of stigma I had against being on disability. It turned out I *wasn't* able to work for a year or longer, and only now do I think I'm capable of doing so.
The work incentives are pretty awesome too; they only take $0.50 on the dollar off your benefits for every dollar you make, should you decide to work while on disability, up to the full amount; they give you a LONG time of "stable work history" once you're approved before they cut off your benefits, and you get to keep your Medicare/Medicaid while working, so you don't necessarily have to worry about getting a job with great health benefits right away, once you decide you'd like to try work.
They will also pay for you to go back to school and get equipment or training.
The programs are named Ticket to Work and the Program to Achieve Self Support, and differ based on whether you get SSDI, SSI or both.
It makes sense to get your app in, as most people are rejected the first time and must appeal. I hope I am not confusing anyone, but the overwhelming majority of people get what's called a "retro" check of some substantial amount when they are first approved. I forget how they calculate this. I've heard amounts from $10,000-$50,000. I will just say when I was approved, I did get a substantial retro check myself. Your attorney will deduct his or her fees from this payment and gets nothing if your case isn't ultimately approved. Which, if you keep appealing, is rather unlikely.
-z
Posted by Chris O on July 1, 2011, at 14:38:14
In reply to What do you do when you can't work anymore?, posted by alchemy on June 26, 2011, at 12:53:00
I just want offer my empathy for your situation. I have a severe anxiety disorder laced with depression. I have tried many, many meds with little or no luck. I am pretty much at the end of my rope. If it were not for my wife and some of the financial stability her job offers us, I would be, in all likelihood, near homelessness (though she denies this). I just want to say I am with you in spirit and hope that you find a solution to deal with your situation, be it SSI, ECT, or one of the many other fun acronyms those of us with severe mental health struggles are forced to endure. (Thanks mom and dad, but especially mom, at least in my situation! Woo-hoo!) Hang in there!
Chris
Posted by alchemy on July 5, 2011, at 21:03:22
In reply to Re: What do you do when you can't work anymore? » alchemy, posted by Chris O on July 1, 2011, at 14:38:14
Thanks Chris
> I just want offer my empathy for your situation. I have a severe anxiety disorder laced with depression. I have tried many, many meds with little or no luck. I am pretty much at the end of my rope. If it were not for my wife and some of the financial stability her job offers us, I would be, in all likelihood, near homelessness (though she denies this). I just want to say I am with you in spirit and hope that you find a solution to deal with your situation, be it SSI, ECT, or one of the many other fun acronyms those of us with severe mental health struggles are forced to endure. (Thanks mom and dad, but especially mom, at least in my situation! Woo-hoo!) Hang in there!
>
> Chris
Posted by alchemy on July 5, 2011, at 21:05:40
In reply to Re: SSI/SSDI advice..when you can't work anymore, posted by zonked on June 30, 2011, at 14:46:14
when I read the requirements, it said that you could have only made so much money the year before...?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.