I'm sorry to hear you are having a hard time. I will keep you in my prayers. Depending on what state you live in there is usually state disibility, they have it in california. Your doctor would have to fill out paperwork. I'm on social security disibility due to psychiatric problems. Since my prognosis was a year or longer I had no problem getting on it, plus I have a long history in the psychiatric field dating back many years. Social security is a long process depending on what state you live in. I don't know what you do for employment, some jobs offer short term disibility, depending on what you paid into. Sounds like you do need a break so you can have some time to heal. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you well. love, vickie

Yes there is disability for depression depending on your job and benefits. You need to share only the minimal with your boss. I crashed like you back in 95 and am on SSDI know for depression. I know this is a really scary time for you but there is help out there. Take it a day at a time and be gentle with yourself. God Bless

You can definitely work on getting help. It can be difficult and frustrating though. If you are sinking, then your meds are clearly not helping. I hope you will talk with your doctors and work on getting stabilized. SSD can be an uphill battle for some. I have Senator McCain's office helping me. I'm glad you're reaching out for help. :)

You know, if you have been at your work for a year, you can definitely get FMLA. Also, you probably have longterm disability. You may want to check with HR and see if you have short term disability and see if you can apply for it, if you do not.

Ginny,
If you were released after a few hours, I am presuming it was on your request. You mention a classroom, and if you are in charge of children, returning to work would NOT be a good thing. It might be helpful to check yourself in for inpatient treatment in order to get your meds working and therapy started. This should be covered under your health plan, and all your employer needs to know at that time is that you are in the hospital. If you need time beyond that, you should be able to take a leave of absence. Your therapist will be much better at determining what you are ready for and what you are not and your doctor should be able to help guide you through the disability process.

Take care and good luck. You are right - you need time to heal.

Ginny,
Some states have temporary disability, 2 week waiting period or none if you are hospitalized. The social worker at the hospital should be able to help you. Otherwise the form can be picked up at the Emploment office, then take to your doctor. it is her or his decision that sets it in motion. She will probably start off with a few weeks, then renew every few weeks of disability. You must see an MD regularly and continue to be disabled in his/her opinion. Some employers also offer Aflack or something similar and the employer has those forms. Take to your Psychiatrist...same thing.

If your MD agrees, you can file for Federal Disability.
That is allowed only if the prognosis is 1 year or longer until well enough to work. The federal process takes 6 months to a year tp process. They often turn down the first request. If so, then file again. All three need an MD to fill out and sign some forms or the Federal may ask you to see a doc of theirs

So there is state disability, temporary

Private company disability that comes in short term or long term usually

Federal disability, called Social Security Disability

You have paid into these programs if you have worked so it is essentually your money.

All depends on what the doc says. The hospital doc will be consulted too.

Good Luck

I do know a lady who gets disability for depression. Of course you are not a lazy person. Depression wears you down physically, mentally, emotionally. I have been there and I am there now. I have been hospitalized for the suicide attempts and the mear thoughts of it. Society needs to realize that depression is as hard to cope with as a bad back. It is so hard to cope with. Depression without medication has side effects, such as memory loss ( I sometimes forget that I dressed my daughter for school, I am only 32). It causes body aches and such emotional torment that you cant think. But add some medication to that already horrific mixture. All I can say hun is dont take no for an answer. Keep fighting and dont let them win. It will take more than one time of submitting your application. I am still fighting for mine. I am with you though if you need to talk.