hi mona.

i think that taking care of yourself mentally is the best plan.
in canada, i believe a person on disability can earn up to 500 dollars a month extra w/out penalty.
if it is the same in your state (it might be) you might be able to get disability and work a part time job, which kind of kills 2 birds w/ one stone. part time gigs are usually way less stressful.
i understand your desire to keep in the workfield for independance, and the feeling of being productive.
you could also volunteer while you get disability, which looks very, very good on a resume (never mind that it is an amazing thing to do)

I'm on disability and im indepenant. funtional.
I kmow that Iwould bounce from job to job. that would create a bad work history.
Yas I perfer to work & I have moments that I long to work but I know that I can't. It's not that I don't know how it just that I can't.
Take some of load off family & apply for disability.
even after a person gets disability, it's not a life sentace, a person can stop insurace & income to try to work. and if person stops benifits and opts to resume benifits, will there is no resumeing its back to qsuare 1..
Again I'm on disbaility and have medical insurance. I'm independant
being that I'm disable w low income, I also have state food assistance.
My family doesn't buy my food.
I'v paid into Uncle %#$@ Sam & so are my children, so I'v opt to get back some of money that I paid in.- that thier paying in.
oh ya with disability I also have prescription insurance..

Mona, I think you are still waiting on a diagnosis, yes?

I think you need to wait until you get that diagnosis - after all you may get treatment that will allow you to work - equally I would have thought without a diagnosis you cannot apply for disability?

I agree with ACF. A diagnosis will establish the cause/fact of your disability. It will make things easier.

This is just my humble opinion.. The experts say that work is the best tharapy.. I do stuff at work my tharapists said I could never do. However. If you need a break... Take the disability. Its there for a reason. And if you get better at some time you can come back to the work force. You will be cared for either way you go.

I always find work is the best therapy for me.I'm not saying everything has been easy cos I have had time off work with bp.However my manager is really understanding about things.If you work & have a mental illness they can't discriminate against you as long as you can do work within reason.I would discuss things with your p.doc. & go from there to see if she thinks you are ready for work.

every time i pushed going back to work because i thought being productive was more important than my health i crashed and ended up in hospital. i'm working again now, but only 10 hours a week. i know i couldn't handle more than that, and if i understand social security disability right, then my current income (less than 500 net/month) doesn't disqualify me. i agree with acl and tommy though, see your p-doc and get a formal diagnosis if you don't already have one. the disability process is stressful and confusing, your mental health team can explain what you need to do and you might need a lawyer. It's hard process to navigate by yourself, though some have do it alone and succeded (pm evelynjean for how she made it through the system). good luck in making the best and healthiest choice for you.

I will wait and see what I am diagnose with. At first my therapist and pdoc said I have major depression. Now they are thinking about something else. Hopefully I can get better so I can get a job because I have so many bills to pay.

I don't think you have any choices to make,disability is determined on a workup and diagnosis with a paper trail of proof.Even when diagnosed you have to be disabled for a while before you will get any benefits.

If you have the desire to work- I am sure you can. Talk with your pdoc about increasing your dose of Geodon and with learning some coping methods for dealing with stress you might be surprised what you can do! I believe in you!

My friends S.A., C.B. and G.A. all work 20 hours a week and are on disability. S.A. scans documents; C.B. is older and pretty and she works in a clothing store. G.A. has diabetes, but she chooses to cook still and that's her choice, I guess....I worry about her, though, but anyway....that's an option

Some folks on disability do activism stuff.

Hello Mona. I respect your desire to be well and independent. One thing that I'm learning is that "getting better" is both a relative thing and a temporary thing. If you can figure out what a healthy range is for you, then find some type of job that will allow for that fluctuation of personality and behavior, you'll be OK. I noticed something about office administration on your profile. Maybe you can find a more autonomous admin position somewhere. That way, you can focus on your work load and not have to interact with too many people (who will notice changes in you). If you like that idea, it's just a matter of finding the right fit. Whatever you do, I wish you luck!

You haven't gotten a giagnosis that you are looking for now disability are you serious, are you a condition hound. I cannot believe this is posted again and frankly I will not respond again. If you do have bp you are not even trying to give meds a chance to work, nope I am done. We will all go thru cycles and yes if effects many work cycles but comon, sounds like your reaching not to work right now and are finding something easy to clame it in. You all shouldn't fall for her trap she doesn't even know if sheis bp and keeps posting for sympathy....

I have been feeling with way for years. Right now I am diagnose with Major Depression until my therapist and pdoc talk to each other. I am not trying to get an easy money. I am trying to get well.

Well in UK we have massive and rapidly rising unemployment so getting a job is somewhat theoretical. Incapacity beneefit is being phased out and benefits cross the board cut. Survival is basically the best we can hope for here let alone jobs and choices. Here if you can work even if no jobs and no chance you still are classified as " Capable of Work" Best of luck.