Hello and would appreciate advice

[flaconvert]

Hello everyone.
My name is John and i found out i was positive in  January of 1989. For the most part my physical health is ok but  i have had to deal with major depression and anxiety for years. I haven't seen a doctor or taken meds for a couple of years. I won't bore you with the reasons but the bottom line is i am tired and i dont care if i live or die anymore. I work in the healthcare field and it is getting more and more difficult- both mentally and physically. I dont know how much longer i can handle the stress. So here is my question: when is it time to consider going on government disability? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks  john

[leatherman]

when is it time to consider going on government disability?

only when you are ill enough to need disability.

If your health is well - meaning if your tcell count and viral load are acceptable w/0 any OIs - you would probably not be eligible anyway. Unlike in the past, with the potency of the meds on the market today, and the ease with which they can improve the quality of life for an HIV+ person, disability is often not needed - and is much harder to obtain nowadays because of the vast medical improvements since the early 90s.

I would suggest, before you seek out the means to receiving disability, that you seek assistance from a doctor and perhaps medications. HAART can stop and reverse issues you are having with HIV, and a doctor and/or counseling and medications can possibly help with your depression issues.

Regardless of whether you choose to let your condition continue untreated or whether you seek to turn things around, you will definitely need to begin to have medical services ASAP. As you have been without medical care for some time it will require even more of your time until you get the proper medical proof of your disabling illness just to be able to apply for disability.

best wishes to you and I hope you get the proper medical care you need soon to help with your issues.

[aztecan]

Hey John,

While you say your physical health is OK, your mental health sounds a bit dicey.

It might be possible for you to qualify for disability for mental health reasons, because, as pointed out above, your physical health doesn't seem to provide the qualifications.

But, the Social Security Administration, which mades the disability determination, won't go on your word alone. They will need documented evidence that you are indeed disabled.

That means that you will need to get back into a doctor's care, and possibly a psychiatrists care.

If I were you, getting back into care is the first step I would take. 

Keep us posted on how things are going and what you decide to do.

HUGS,

Mark

[weasel]

   Hey  John ,

                When you can no longer do your job .

    I agree with Mark .  Get into  therapy  ASAP .

    You may not get SSDI   with   HIV   , But if you are a mental mess ?

    I do know you must document  EVERYTHING !  No matter how trivial  it may
      seem  to you . 

     I hope you start seeing a Psychologist soon !

                                                             
                                                 Be well ,  Carl

   

[flaconvert]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I will be signing up for services at the local ASO hopefully next week. john

[killfoile]

Hello everyone.
My name is John and i found out i was positive in  January of 1989. For the most part my physical health is ok but  i have had to deal with major depression and anxiety for years. I haven't seen a doctor or taken meds for a couple of years. I won't bore you with the reasons but the bottom line is i am tired and i dont care if i live or die anymore. I work in the healthcare field and it is getting more and more difficult- both mentally and physically. I dont know how much longer i can handle the stress. So here is my question: when is it time to consider going on government disability? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks  john

Hey John,

I'm sorry to hear about your depression and anxiety and I hope you know, that feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness are not to be ignored.  I've been on SSI for 15 years and I get it for my mental illness, not because of solely being poz.  What you describe is not normal, nor is it healthy.  There are things you can do right now, to address these issues, otherwise you will have no chance of presenting any case for disability coverage.  I had years of medication and therapy for my mental illness, along with another decade of declining health, due to being poz and what is paramount, is that all of my issues were documented.

My understanding is that getting approved for SSI or SSDI is much harder now, especially when you have no documented evidence to back up your claims.  Yet putting that all aside, you need some help and I think you realize that and maybe that is what brought you here.  I know what it feels like, to have nothing left to feel.  I have felt the emptiness of despair and hopelessness, once resulting in placing a loaded gun in my mouth.  I've had moments when it would all be easier for it all to simply go away.  But I don't think that's what you want.  I sure hope not.

Please find someone you can talk with and starting with your ASO is a great idea.  No matter what you may decide, please don't wait to talk with someone.  Nobody should ever face mental illness alone.  Only by going beyond yourself to get help, can you find the help that you so desperately need.  Please take care of yourself.

Joe

[deibster]

Welcome John, I hope you are going for help with your depression. I did not keep any special records to get disability, but then I had been on medications for ten years for both hiv & major depression. I had a neurologist write that stress, work, was making my health worse. I had gastric ulcers which helped to back up the stress claim. Therefore, my medical records were my documentation.

I had to go to a psychologist for SSDI & a psychiatrist for my pension plan. Maybe I'm a better actor than I realize. They both agreed with my applications for disability. All I know is that I feel much better without the stress of commuting & working. I pray that you are starting to feel better.
Hugs from Provincetown, Deiby

[idee]

HI,
 I have depression and anxiety and I found that seeing my doctor was the best choice for me. I used to get angry with my depression. It did not end until I was exhausted. And then I slept really well.
 Now I take medication for my depression. I am happy most times, but there are times when I am out right bored.
 Boredom is my biggest problem. Now that I can gather my thoughts I can get things done. Leaving me with so much time.
 Hope you find a doctor and get the help you need.

[Theyer]

Just wanted to say Welcome John and add my voice to the others about getting some help for your problems .
michael

[OneTampa]

Welcome John and I co-sign what others have posted.

Please take care of yourself.

[aztecan]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I will be signing up for services at the local ASO hopefully next week. john

That is a great step. Please keep us posted on how things go.

HUGS,

Mark