Answers from a Forum Community member to four questions asked by another member regarding bipolar disorder and Social Security Disability.
Please be aware that this material contains the personal experiences and opinions of consumers and in no way should be construed as professional advice. To read more, please follow the link at the beginning.
This post has been considerably edited by the Guide to present the answers in a clearer order than was originally written, and for any necessary spelling/grammar changes as always, but the content remains otherwise the same.
from Jerry, in response to questions from Tigerfish
- Does it matter what type of bipolar disorder you are applying for SSDI for?
No, what matters is that it prevents you from working.
I have been diagnosed with BPII, I described a full manic episode to my doctor more than a year ago at a time when I have been off meds. My new pdoc told me that I was having a mixed episode about 1 month ago.
Reading the DSM-IV, I now know that my diagnosis should be switched to BPI since I have had a mixed and full manic episode. I have also always had a rapid cycling specifier which indicates poorer prognosis. Does SSI take this into account?
Social Security reads the doctor's records and support letters. As for reading the DSM-IV, while I'm a great believer in obtaining as much information as possible about one's illness, its not always a big help. Even shrinks disagree with the descriptions and most are general enough that your can fit yourself into several. As far as whether its better to be BP I or BP II from SSA's viewpoint, I doubt it matters. It's the supporting documentation in regard to your ability to work.
- Anyone else out there with a second diagnosis of ADD or ADHD?
I am ADD, it may or may not help, depending if it contributes to your not being able to work. ADHD, in particular, can easily be shown as making it difficult for one to work, but not always, just like BP.
- How does SS decide when the age of onset is for BP? This determination helps decide if you are eligible for SS as well as SSDI. The DSM-IV says it generally appears during adolescence. I have record of a suicide attempt at 16/17. Would that determine age of onset? Would my doctor give an age (guess)? Or do I just give it myself?
Age of onset is not a concern for SSA. It's whether, for SSDI, if you have worked enough documented quarters. For SSI, if your mental illness prevents your working, then you usually are eligible to apply.
I was 48 when I made my claim. It does seem to matter if your are in your 20's or 30's and don't have much in a documented history of the disease affecting your ability to work. Also, it's cost containment, though I'm not sure that's always true. If I had made my claim the first time I had 40 quarters, my monthly payments would probably be 40% of what I get now.
You can provide the information, but have a doctor back it up, either by stating it as self-reported or as being the doctor that attended you then (the latter is the stronger case). The more information you provide (truthful, that is) the better, it helps you and your attorney if you need one.
