Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Catch 22

HannaHana
HannaHana
I'm sure everyone out there has been stuck there.

Right now, I desperately want to go back to work. Am I ready? I don't know, but how can I know unless I try?

The problem is, if I go back to work there is no full time position, they gave my position away, so I'd have to get another job too, and if I go back to work and I'm not ready, my disability is completely gone. I beat myself up about it every day.

I want to go back to "normal", or as "normal" as I can be, but I don't want to screw myself.

Anyone else stuck in a catch 22 right now?
tommymott
tommymott
Social Security provides a window of time for people to work before benefits end. Check that out. All is not lost!
HannaHana
HannaHana
Waiting on SSDI...but the disability insurance company I get paid from now threw in that I have alcoholism as my primary dx...I don't drink at all and I'm fighting it, but that'll put a damper on things.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Just don't put too much extra pressure on yrself and try be positive about benefits too.
if you feel stigmatised in any way..then that isn't helping.
You've been very ill.
So just give yrself space too xx
deleted_user
deleted_user
Having applied (but never received) SSI or SSDI. Only thing I can sympathize with is the going back to work thing.

I set a goal 'personal goal here at DS' to 'get a job'.

Well I'm proud to say I GOT a job. Now my next goal "keep my job all 13 weeks' It's a contract job. I'm a nurse so contract/agency jobs are quite common.

But I know how scary it is not knowing whether to hold onto hope that you can hold a job, or stick with the security of knowing you'll get income. That is a toughy. If I had already been approved, and was receiving income, then maybe I would want to stick with disability d/t my history of being a failure at keeping a job.
Only light at the end of my very dark tunnel is that I have a contract. 13 weeks and I can choose to take a break for a couple of weeks and then go back for another 13 weeks. If I truly like it, then I might go and work directly for the place. But that remains to be seen.

If you WANT to go back to work. Then it's worth trying. But if you WANT to keep guaranteed income. Stick with SSI.
Just my thoughts.