Comments on: Bipolar II Disorder - Facts That Help Diagnosis

By: Looney Tunes

Looney Tunes — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:29:59 +0000

The only way you get can get disability for mental disorders is:

1) Have you been hospitalized?
2) Have you tried to commit suicide?
3) Have you been on medication for awhile and not able to get better?
4) Have you had multiple jobs and not been able to hold a job?

I think your idea of trying to get money sucks.. "being diagnosed Bipolar would be great". It is not great dealing with mood swings, taking heavy duty medications, being hospitalized, being so depressed you can’t get out of bed and want to die, being so manic that you climb bridges and threaten to jump, or spend all your money buying things you don’t need.

You should be trying to get help so that you can stabilize and get back to work and back to a normal life instead of sucking money from the government. I have been Bipolar 1 for over 12 years and meet every criteria above and have been on disability after trying to kill myself. But as soon as I get stabilized, I get back to work and off disability and I NEVER thought of my illness as "great."

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By: gotta luv da Li

gotta luv da Li — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:27:59 +0000

How long to diagnose depends on your symptoms, history, and reactions to meds. If you are clearly presenting with bipolar symptoms, you’ll probably walk out with a diagnosis. If it’s suspected but not clear, you may get a tentative diagnosis or a "holding" diagnosis, but a trial on bipolar meds. If BP is only distantly suspected, you may still be prescribed a stabilier (antipsychotic most likely) because they are used in extreme depression/anxiety as well as bipolar. In any case, if you are in a bad way, you should get help right away.

As for SSDI, yes bipolar qualifies. It takes a long time and applications are usually rejected first submission. In all probability you will be stabilized and able to go back to work much sooner. Once the right meds are found, life returns to normal. Actively managing the illness and remaining med compliant keeps it that way, at least for a great many.

I have bipolar, work, had a rough time for a while, but all is good now. You’ll get there, too.

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By: piji_caj

piji_caj — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:25:59 +0000

You can apply for SSDI if you have depression or pretty much any other of the big mental disorders. Be warned that it is very, very difficult to get. It could take years just to get a hearing.

In my experience, doctors are pretty reluctant to give a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. It is a very difficult condition to diagnose. It’s an average of 10 years for persons with Bipolar II (who are initially seen for depression). If you’re manic or hypomanic when you see the doctor, chances are you’ll get that diagnosis. If you are depressed when you see the doctor, you’ll probably get a diagnosis of Major Depression.

I saw a psychiatrist for 6 months before he considered a Bipolar Disorder diagnosis. I eventually became hypomanic, and that is what sealed the deal so to speak.

I do hope that you feel better soon. It’s tough to get through this stuff, but possible. The clinician you see should help you get to a better place soon. Good luck!
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By: P.E.R.V.

P.E.R.V. — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:23:59 +0000

Before you crawl into a hole to die, why not stop labeling yourself with a name of a psychiatric disorder. You are you, not bi-polar.

The condition can be diagnosed on one visit, if you are honest and tell him/her what is going on. The treatment is the same for depression and anxiety. In fact the term bi-polar is just that, a term. It describes the many variations of depression and anxiety that appear in countless forms among people affected.

Be aware the medication will take four to six weeks to work. Be patient. Its worth the wait.

As for SSDI, can you live on $650 a month? I don’t think so. Plus, it will take almost a year to get approved, IF you can get approval. Be aware there are thousands of slackers out there, without your problem, jamming the system, looking for a free ride, so their fat butts can sit at home and do nothing. This absolutely guarantees you will be turned down on the first try. It’s not worth it.

Get the proper medication and get back into life. A job will make you feel better about yourself and give you a lot more income than food stamps and SSDI.
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By: shelly00002003

shelly00002003 — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:21:17 +0000

PLEASE HELP! How long does it take for a dr/clinician to diagnosis bipolar disorder?
I believe that I may have bipolar disorder, and I will be going to a clinician next week to discuss my issues. I am unable to work because of extreme anxiety and depression, I was trying to find employment but all it did was give so much anxitey. I did work for the same employer for over 14 years and it kills me to even think that I would be unable to work ever again, because of this, I have worked since I was 15. Someone told be that if I am diagnosed with bipolar I can apply for SSDI because it is considered a disability, which would be great because since I have not been working things are just spiraling in a downward direction financially. This time of the year is going to be especially heartbreaking because i hav no income. I have 5 boys, but only 2 I am responsible for because the others are of age. It is very hard for me to accept the fact that there may be something wrong with me. Any words of advice or wisdom from someone who has been through something similar and how long it took for a diagnosis to be established, would be greatly appreciated.
To P.E.R.V.: This information about being bipolar came from my PCP and she is the one that suggested I see a clinician. Believe me I do not want a label, I have 2 children that have very legitimate labels and i hate the fact that they are "labeled". Believe me i don’t want to crawl into a hole I am on meds and hopefully this will help. I have been or was in the social service field for over 14 years helping people and I know that there are alot of people out there that milk the system and would rather sit on there fat behinds to have someone hand them everything. Believe me I am not looking for a free ride or looking to sit on my behind and have things handed to me. I did check with a website allsup and a lawyer to see what I would be eligible for if it did come down to it and it is not $650 per month i would have to live off of it is approx 2100 per mth that i could be potentially elig for. But thanks soooo much for your advice. Dear piji_caj:

Thank you for your support and your kind words of hoping that that I feel better soon. Its nice to get kinds words and support especially from strangers and someone who has experience with it. It sounds as if you have been through alot yourself and got through it and is possible. The clinician I am going to see seems to be very understanding and hopefully will get me to a better place soon. Good luck to you too!!!!!