Disability for Anxiety

[Lisau2]

I'm wondering how hard it is to get disability for severe anxiety. I've had it in one form or another since I was 16. It got worse after my divorce when I did start seeing both a psychologist and psychiatrist. I've been working all along but it's been hard to hold down a job for much more then a year. The various meds I've tried leave me sleepy and sometimes forgetful. I've heard you have to be practically non-functional to get disability. I wouldn't say I'm that bad, I just wake up full of fear and dread which dissipates and is better when I can get to the gym. How hard is it to get? What have been yourvexperiences?

[fauxartist]

It depends on which state or country you live in. Everywhere is so different. Canada, England, Ireland all have state funding for this...but the U.S. is a nightmare...health care and medical disability are in the toilet and I fear it's going to get much worse and harder to get covered. So if your company has health care...I would use it and get the best help you can while working. Some here have fought the system for years for simple things and they are completely disabled...I hope you can find something that will help you system wise. Until then..I am glad your sharing here...at least you have this place as a support....

[Lisau2 in reply to fauxartist]

Yes faux, I'm definitely happy to have a place here for support. I also have good Drs./ Counselors. I do live in the US so I know it's the worst possible place to try to get disability. Right now I'm working and just joined a health club, which probably helps more then the meds! As a worrier, sometimes I sit and think, " what if It gets really bad? What will I do?" But that's silly, yet part of the disease I guess.

Do any of you journal? I was thinking that might help too.

[Imakook in reply to Lisau2]

Hi Lisau2,

I got sober years so ago. Talk about anxiety! I did journal for a few years every day! It was one of the best things I could have done. I could see growth, patterns, good days, crappy days & hope. If nothing else, it was a daily reprieve and/or a friend. I still have all of those old journals and they are GOLD!

[Lisau2 in reply to Imakook]

I think I'm going to get one today. Even if I dont write in it every day, it would be good for the tough days. I remember journaling for hours as a teenager. Wonder why I stopped?

Best of luck with your sobriety, thank God for all of the support groups out there to help battle that tough disease.

[hypercat54]

Hi we can't possibly give you any advice without knowing which country you live in. If in the UK it is not about what illness you have but how it affects you. And the benefit is now PIP which is harder to claim than the old DLA due to different and harsher criteria. x