Question:
Does anyone have experience with applying for disability due to anxiety and panic attacks? I recently lost my job due to my anxiety causing problems with concentration and memory. I've had severe anxiety for 26 years but the last few years it has made work more and more difficult. I have tried almost all medications but my anxiety has been resistant to medications.
Adderal was the only medication that helped me concentrate but I had to stop because it raised my blood pressure to dangerous levels.
The anxiety causes problems with driving, leaving my home, I am not able to go out socially. As I am getting older it is harder and harder to cope.
I just got a disability form. Does anyone have any advice as to what is most important to include. Is it possible to be approved? Thank you.
Answer:
I can tell you a little something about PD/Anx and SSDI...I am on SSD for two reasons. One my back is mess up big time and I have PD/Anx...(Panic Disorder and aniexty..)
What SSDI is going to look for is the following:
1. Have you been in treatment for your PD/Anx? AND are you in treatment now?
2. What meds are you taking and its side effects?
3. How is it keeping you from working?
4. If you've worked for the past 26 why is it effecting you now?
The reason I know this, is because I was in the same boat as you. I worked for 15 years with it and didn't get regular treatment for it...That hurt me in my case and I lost 2 years of backpay because of it...But if your not in treatment right now, it will hinder you case big time....
Answer:
Thank you Sam. I have been in treatment the entire time but my anxiety has been resistant to meds. As the years have gone by I have become less able to tolerate stress, my concentration and memory are getting worse. One med that helped was Adderall, but after taking it for several months my blood pressure rose to dangerous levels so I can't take it anymore. It has been 6 months of trying to get my blood pressure down to safe levels.
Thanks again for the information. These are good questions.