Depression Recovery

Question:

I live in South Carolina and have an attorney helping me with my disability suit. He has  stated that he wants me to  go for a mental evaluation. Can anyone tell me if this is a normal process? Thanks Kem

Response:

>I live in South Carolina and have an attorney helping me with my >disability suit. He has  stated that he wants me to  go for a mental >evaluation. >>Can anyone tell me if this is a normal process? >Thanks >Kem

Kem, Actually a request for a psychological exam is quite normal for SS disability.  I did SS law before I went on disability myself and had a psych report ready when I filed my application and they still made me see their shrink.  Depends sometimes on age and educational level as well.  Sounds like your attorney is on the ball actually. Anne AAC/AAF/AFBV62.0844.TX http://www.tckworld.com/opfoot

Response:

It wasnt for me! All I had to do was go to a  Dr that the co wanted me to go to so that he could verify what my Rhumy diagnosed as perm disability. Polly

Response:

Hi Kem, It is not unusual, especially if you have listed depression as part of the illness. I did and while I didn’t have to see one of their shrinks they told me I might. When I saw their specialist for the physical stuff, he did ask me a number of questions about my depression so I guess they felt they had the info they needed. Thanks, Jennifer

Response:

The problem with using any mental diagnosis is that you will be re-evaluated every year.  SS’s position is to review in one year if recovery is likely; 3 year review if recovery is possible; and 5 to 7 year review if recovery is unlikely.   Depression and other mental conditions are expected to improve once you have some therapy and get on antidepressants- usually less than one year.  You can also lose your disability if you do not cooperate with the doctors- as in go to therapy just as often as they order even if you can’t afford it.  And taking antidepressants even if they make you sick- my problem.  I just started my *eleventh* antidepressant in the search for one I can tolerate! I know about this.  I just got mine on depression- they ignored the severe OA, PPS, FMS, CFS and physical deformities due to the polio.  My first review is 13 mo. from my original date of disability. While any way you can get approved is a good thing, it sounds like your attorney is taking the easy way out, getting his fees and running.  What will you do in one year if your antidepressants work and you lose the disability?  If you can get it any other way it’s in your best interests to do so. Leslie Acquiring a dog may be            ,-.~~~.-, the only opportunity a                V)’   ‘(V human ever has to                     (_o_) choose a relative.            Golden Retriever   If you love animals~~~~~don’t litter!                      Spay/Neuter

Response:

Huh?     My SSDI was just OA and FM ( what could be proved back then) and I had the shrink evaluation. What it is REALLY for is to assure Soc. Sec. that you can handle your own finances.     It’s not much more than counting by 7’s back from 100 ( as a teacher..that is the grading scale! LOL) and I hadta tell what ’strike while the iron is hot" means…and just a coupla other things.     I was nice to be certified as sane enuff to not blow the monthly pittance down at the liquor store. My atty. didn’t prep me at all. didn’t need it.      Don’t worry ’bout it..it’s no biggie..the doctor that’s assigned to check you out physically carries a much bigger say.      They haven’t changed the shrink test in a decade from what my fellow FM’ers say on AMF. No Sweat Hugs from Rosie — "If you wanna get it done, you gotta fight for yourself." — Meat Loaf, Bat Outta Hell II

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The problem with using any mental diagnosis is that you will be > re-evaluated every year.  SS’s position is to review in one year if > recovery is likely; 3 year review if recovery is possible; and 5 to 7 > year review if recovery is unlikely. > Depression and other mental conditions are expected to improve once you > have some therapy and get on antidepressants- usually less than one > year.  You can also lose your disability if you do not cooperate with > the doctors- as in go to therapy just as often as they order even if you > can’t afford it.  And taking antidepressants even if they make you sick- > my problem.  I just started my *eleventh* antidepressant in the search > for one I can tolerate! > I know about this.  I just got mine on depression- they ignored the > severe OA, PPS, FMS, CFS and physical deformities due to the polio.  My > first review is 13 mo. from my original date of disability. > While any way you can get approved is a good thing, it sounds like your > attorney is taking the easy way out, getting his fees and running.  What > will you do in one year if your antidepressants work and you lose the > disability?  If you can get it any other way it’s in your best interests > to do so. > Leslie > Acquiring a dog may be            ,-.~~~.-, > the only opportunity a                V)’   ‘(V > human ever has to                     (_o_) > choose a relative.            Golden Retriever >   If you love animals~~~~~don’t litter! >                      Spay/Neuter

Response:

I want to thank all of you who responded to my post. I called my attorney today and he said that this test is to see how my pain is affecting my memory and not to see if I’m crazy. This was a huge relief to me! I will post here to let you know what the results are in case any of you care to know. Thanks Kem

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