I hope things work out for you. I don't know much about the disability system. I have friends that say the first time they were turned down. There are also people that get approved the first time. Just be yourself and if this doctor has any integrity he/she will do the right thing.

Re-post to see if someone has some insight.

It is just their pdoc, well it isn't their - it is a pdoc contracted through them. They just see you, ask you questions - see how you are functioning and how it is disabling you etc... My pdoc I saw was so nice & was helpful. They just interview you, want to know about things, ask you questions about things - some seem kind of silly... It is the step before approving or denying you (well one of them) I was approved within a month after my interview (well my whole process was 2 months)

l sent a link to your first message hope it helps

I have experienced this from two perspectives - the Disability Support Pension (Australia) and also Total and Permanent Disability claims. First up, I have to acknowledge that these appointments and the prospect of losing the Pension are incredibly stressful. I had to go to one, although it was through a representative of Centrelink, our Social Security agency, but I also had to get endless letters and reports from my psychiatrist, and may have to do it all again as time goes on - when their system spits my name out again. I am totally alone and need the Pensiion.

I guess the best thing I can say, as a meber of AA as well as having mental illness, is to try to concentrate on the current moment and not project forward. This is really easy to say and really hard to do. Maybe use meditation tapes, or take walks, or anythig that might take your attention away from the worry - even giving our brain a little break can get us through. Do you have anyone you can chat to to also give yourself a break? If necessary, you can call what we call Lifeline in Australia and just have a short talk to one of the staff, and that also might breakup your anxiety.

Of course in AA we also use the Serenity Prayer and that can really help. Concentrate on what you can do, ie, try to break up the anxiety until the appointment comes around, but leave the rest of the outcome to happen - you can't influence it beyond rocking up and being honest. Write stuff down if you need to prepare anything you might need to say about your condition. I always do that, even for when I see my own psychiatrist and psychologist - it gives me confidence that I can at least pass on the most critical information.

I was terrified the first time I went. Just be yourself and answer the questions. I thought they were crazy ass questions...they ask you all kinds of math problems and then have you count backwards from100 in 7's....hello, I could not do this at all...lol. They will also ask you to rememeber 3 things and then wll ask you them sometime during the interview. I dissociated really bad when I was there, but I got approved for medicaid 2 days later. I have not gotten my SSI yet, Good luck!!!

they ask seemilgly silly questions becuse the term disability encompasses a wide range of "dises", including the intellectually disabled, many of whom cannot count down fm 100 in 7s.

i think BIPOLAR is a relateively new addition. i need to read up on this, though.

Talk about how you can read minds, shadow people, hypersex, and anxiety.

I'm on disability and generally the doctors rule in your favor. Just let them know whatever is wrong with you really is wrong. Dont stress over it, they are generally on the side of sick pp.

I have already received two responses from people saying that they had to go to court in order to gain disability insurance. Is this something common? I hope not, I am scared enough going through this process, the last thing I want is to present myself to a judge. I live in Colorado, is there anyone here that knows the system? do they usually try to keep these things in their own government sectors? I am so freaked out.

well, the first thing you should do is try to calm down. I went to one of hubby's doctor's appointments for disability. He did an exam and asked questions. He even asked me some questions. Do you have a lawyer? My hubby had a lawyer and he took care of all the court stuff. Hubby just had to show up.
(((((hugs)))))
Andrea

Are you currently working right now and if not why?

I live in Colorado, and I can answer some of your questions if you like....just shoot me a message if you would like to talk it over.