Posted by LostBoyinNC1 on July 28, 2002, at 10:44:08
In reply to DX, posted by EmilyAnn on July 26, 2002, at 13:51:02
> Hi all...how much should I worry about what diagnosis I have?? Two or three docs have said I have bipolar 2..my new doc says adhd...I think it's a big deal b/c I need to know what I have in order to treat it. also, I am trying to get onto disability (something I have struggled with for the past two years, but I now know I need) and a clear dx is needed. Should I push it w/ my doc
Id say two or three Pdocs saying you are bipolar type 2 is probably pointing in the direction of bipolar spectrum disorder. If just one had said it and you disagreed and got a second opinion and the second didnt think you had bipolar type 2 that would be another thing.
Are you on meds? Do the meds work? If your meds work at all, I should warn you that you almost for sure will not be approved for social security disability. Or if you refuse to take meds...you wont get disability. Social Security disability is a hard nut to crack when it comes to mental illness. There is stigma in the social security disability department against the mentally ill, just like there is everywhere. Generally they only approve people who have the most severe and obvious forms of mental illness (schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, manic depression, etc.) who have failed drugs.
With a dx like bipolar type 2 or adhd, I wouldnt count on getting disability. Even if you hire an attorney to help you. You might be better off just staying on your drugs and maybe going in for vocational rehab which is also offered in all states thru social security disability. It might not be perfect, but it might be all that you can get. Its kind of like the Rolling Stones song says "you might not get what you want, but you usually get what you need."
poster:LostBoyinNC1
thread:113827
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020725/msgs/114012.html