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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by stargazer on March 17, 2007, at 12:09:47
I have decided to file for disability for depression. I have spent so many years with marginal treatment results that I feel unable to try and work anymore. It only causes me more symptoms by thinking about finding a job and not getting better treatment for myself.
Can anybody who has filed give me advice on what to do and how to avoid a denial the first time around. Is an attorney recommended?
I would like to hear about your experiences with filing and problems you encountered which could be avoided with some prior knowledge.
Thanks for any help you can offer me.
Stargazer
Posted by Racer on March 21, 2007, at 20:40:00
In reply to Disability, can anyone help with process?, posted by stargazer on March 17, 2007, at 12:09:47
I've been told that nearly everyone is denied the first time. I know I was.
I guess my first bit of advice is to make sure your doctor isn't one that thinks all disability claims for depression are bogus. Your doctor will be contacted, so I'd also recommend giving said doctor a heads up about it.
Make sure you have ALL the information they're likely to ask for. The telephone interview process takes about an hour or so, and you'll need all sorts of dates and names. All the doctors you've seen, all the hospitals you've been in, dates; if you're married, your spouse's SSN; dates of employment; and I forget what else.
An attorney is maybe helpful, but honestly -- you can do it on your own, and a lot cheaper. I'd suggest trying on your own, and then thinking about an attorney if you're denied. There are often pro bono firms that handle this sort of thing, so check your local NAMI or state bar association.
Good luck.
Posted by stargazer on March 22, 2007, at 13:21:43
In reply to Re: Disability, can anyone help with process?, posted by Racer on March 21, 2007, at 20:40:00
Thanks Racer. I come from a family of lawyers but we never admit to having any problems especially mental ones so it will be uncomfortable. I did call my brother and asked him what I should do. He said wait and speak with someone in his office that handles disability. It will still be weird but I don't care anymore what others think, it never helped me in the past pretending everything was OK. It only kept me from getting help sooner. Sometimes I think it has its advantages to being selfish. I was selfless for too long and no one ever believed me when I said I had depression. My mother was the worst. When I was a teenage and told her I was suicidal she said everyone feels that way and to this day I don'tbelieve anything she says.
She proably the craziest person I know but functional. I always said if she had to work she wouldn't have been able to. She's extremely argumentative and controlling. Her family has the genetic disposition for depression, bipolar, and lots of plain craziness. She used to scream at the top of her lungs if she didn't get her way and not even bat an eye doing it.
Stargazer
This is the end of the thread.
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