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| *Women health>>>Bipolar Disorder |
Could I be put on SSI for Bipolar Disorder & Agoraphobia? |
I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder & Agoraphobia when I was sixteen and used to have massive massive panic attacks when going into ANY social enviroment. Its gotten a bit better since then. (four years ago) I however still have a lot of anxiety and honestly couldn't see myself overcoming it anytime soon even with the medications. SSI will ask- "can I work in one year"? If you think you'll be better by then, don't apply. Agoraphobia, by definition, will probably clinch you the government tills, on the 'inability to function' spectrum. Yes!!! Talk w/ your Dr./Case Worker. ***Note: Social Security makes judgments based on your *Ability to Function*... now, not in the past, so.... you need to consider that. Well the medications are not meant to stand by themselves. You need therapy with it. Perhaps together they can get you dealing with the diseases and functioning well in society. SSI drugs are not the med of choice for bi-polar disorder, in fact they often make it worse. Generally an anti anxiety drug (xanax, klonipin) is given for the anxiety/agoraphopia. The drugs being used for bi-polar are often anti seizure drugs like Topomax and Lamictal. I don't know why anti seizure drugs work, but they do and are now approved and preferred for treatment of this disorder. Lithium is also used. Are you able to work and support yourself? If not, apply for help. My son resisted applying for 10 years and finally did when he wasn't able to work or concentrate. What a relief. The proper authorities will decide whether or not to award it to you, based on how you are doing. Good luck. Remember that it's okay for those who really need the help. It really all depends on your situation....how long you worked to put money into your Social Security nest....how much you made...so on so forth. I had the same problem, and was denied. Well, I didn't have bi polar....just agoraphobia. I have come a long way....thank GOD!!!!! Don't give up hope hon!!! :) You should talk to your doctor about putting you on Lamictal. It is a medication used mostly for seizure disorders, but it is also used as a mood stabilizer and anxiety medication. It really works wonders! I have gone on three vacations in the past two years that included air travel. In September, we went to Florida for three weeks and let me tell ya......if I can survive Disney World and all of the crowds there....it MUST work! And those huge long lines at airline security....let me tell you, I NEVER dreamed I would be able to do those things. Lamictal in the states is very expensive even with insurance, but I go through a Canadian pharmacy. I get triple the medication at a third of the cost since Canada can produce a generic equivalent. Just talk to your doctor. I promise you won't be sorry!!!!! Good luck. I really hope things work out for you. I know exactly how you feel and all the crap you have to go through to be even semi "normal".....it sucks! I'd seriously question the diagnosis of bipolar disorder especially if you haven't had any pronounced manic episodes (elevated mood, rushing thoughts, craziness lasting more than a week). There is a tendency to over-diagnose bipolar d/o. Your sxs sound more like an anxiety d/o which would respond nicely to an SSRI (especially Paxil) - obviously with close supervison of possible manic sxs. I've also seen things like Clonodine or beta blockers used. Obviously the benzos (klonopin, valium, ativan, xanax) would help but they are so addictive. Good luck! |
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