Disability due to past abuse.....please read

[TrailofTears]

While I do not want to encourage those who are not truly disabled, I do want to lend a hand to those of you suffering from PTSD, to the point of it intefering with your everyday life!!!
I would like to recommend that if you haven't already checked, that you have multiple tests for various mental illnesses.
I was having trouble doing my job, getting through the day, remembering things, and I was also physically weak, and highly emotionally reactive to my surroundings, irritable, restless, having bad nightmares, insomnia etc. when I had my testing done;
The result was that I was diagnosed as having PTSD from severe prolonged sexual child abuse, sever depression that led to a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. Ay the same time, I had been seeing a doctor for my physical problems and after almost a full year of testing and various treatments, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. (due to long term stress)
I continued working until I literally could not stand up any more, I was also seeing a T. through a free research treatment program. The T. encouraged me to file for disability and in less than 6 months I began recieving disability benefits and am now back in college working towards a degree in an effort to get myself back to work after 6 1/2 years of being disabled.
I had no idea that PTSD was a qualifying disablility, but if it severe enough and inteferes with your abilty to preform everyday tasks that you have been able to do previously..I recommend having this testing done. There is no need to stay a victim, but you may have to fight hard for your rights, just take my advice and get tested.
best of luck,
ToT

 

[roadrunner]

ToT,

This is a theme that comes up from time to time in various ways. It is so important to get the medical attention we need WHEN we need it. It's easy to delay and procrastinate, but a day turns into a week turns into a month turns into a year...

Even if it's difficult to face the prospect, do try to deal with these priorities. Take the exams, get the tests, take the meds. Our health is the most important thing we have.

Much love,
Larry

 

[Rabbit]

ToT,

Accepting the possibility that my life has been more difficult because of a mental disability was and is a hard thing for me to do, but this acceptance may be saving my life.

I've been on short term disability for a couple of months now. Before I went on leave, life got to be limited to performing my duties at the workplace and walking my dogs.

I've been working very hard to learn what's going on with me. I'm beginning to accept that I am dealing with some form of mental illness. I'm hopeful that I can return to a productive life someday soon, as I love to use my talents to improve the world around me.

I've disclosed in other threads here that I'm awaiting a mediation session with the EEOC. My condition has been challenged by conflict at my workplace. In the past when I've had prior episodes of heightened anxiety, depression and stress disorders, I've been able to talk to my boss about the situation, make some adjustments to allow for however my illness was manifest. This past winter, I had another stress disorder episode and things did not go so well. My employer was not willing to make reasonable accomodations. When I disclosed my medical issues to my immediate supervisor, she began a campaign to cast me as emotional, crazy, frustrated, hostile, and impossible to work with. All the while, I met every stated goal AND exceeded my fundraising goals by $500k. No wonder I broke down...

Fortunately, I had been proactive about taking care of my health.

Seeking psychological counseling established a history of my depression and anxiety disorder.

Being honest with my boss in the Winter of 2003 established a history of workplace accomodations being successful and a prior disclosure of mental disability to my employer.

Coming here to join a community of men who are surviving and nuturing themselves gave me an outlet when I really needed it.

Thank you, ToT for reminding us all...it is important to seek help if you are having mental health issues.

Doing so has saved my life.

 

[MrEdd]

I agree with what has been said here. So far I am able to work a reduced work schedule in a familly business and I do okay as far as flashbacks and stuff if I keep my hours down around 30 per week. My anti depressants and anxiety meds really help with memory issues and being able to complete a thought.

I'm going to avoid disability for as long as I can.

 

[reality2k4]

I have been off work since Feb 05 and the doc put my off until at least Nov 08.
I too had conflicts with male colleagues, and believe me, they dont know what can happen when they challenge me.

I was starting to make mistakes, and simple ones at that, but I was just so stressed, I had to pack it in before it packed me in.

I have put in for further disability funds, and I just hope I can get them.
I have a load to do on myself, and get somewhere near to normal.

The answer is to take less pay, and work less hours, and maybe disability will help me in the future to work again without all the stress of a full time job,

ste

 

[bisulatino]

ToT,

Getting classified as a student with a psychological disability is what helped me finish off my last arduous year of college. The greatest benefit of the disclosure of my disability was that I received a network of support from my therapist, my advisor and the staff of disability resources. I made a post about it at that time, here: https://malesurvivor.org/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006314;p=1#000000

I would also like to share a little insight I have concerning PTSD and health insurance. With my health insurance, the amount of my therapy bills they would be willing to cover ultimately depended on my diagnosis. PTSD was not considered a severe disorder, which means they would only pay about half of my bills, while something like Severe Clinical Depression was regarded as severe, and I would only have a $10 co-pay each visit. This made little sense to me or my therapists. Since PTSD and Depression usually come hand in hand (this was the case for me) they had no problem including both, knowing it would save me a significant amount of money.

In addition to giving each other support, I think one of the best things we can do is share beneficial information such as this. I find surprises a bit difficult to deal with, so the more I know the less likely I am to panic and break down.