1. < Mental Health
Profile picture for ehdog

Don't think lawyer has faith in my SSI case w/my MH diagnoses

Posted by ehdog @ehdog, 1 day ago

I live in MO
I just got off the phone with my laywer with Parmele and told me that since I'm young, the judge will be harsher on me and I don't have a lot documented. The issue is, I have OCD, anxiety, agoraphobia and a fear of medical settings so I can't see doctors all that much..I'm banking on my mental health stuff.

My partner got disability and I feel like he has less documented than me.

I think the cut off was 20th for new stuff and it's the 23rd now but I want my therapist to write me a letter saying I cannot work. Can she do that?

I'm actually asking for SSI not SSDI btw

Was he not giving me false hope because he knows I'm screwed?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

Profile picture for Wala
Wala | @ashlynnmae | 1 day ago

Being young can make it a little harder, but it does not mean it is over.

When you talk to the judge, just be honest about what you are dealing with, including OCD, anxiety, and agoraphobia, and how that affects your ability to leave home, get medical care, and function day to day.

Disability lawyers often sound blunt because they are trying to manage expectations and protect clients from feeling crushed if there is a denial. What he is really saying is your case may take more effort, not that there is no chance.

It could be helpful to ask your therapist to write a letter and send it to your lawyer. It should include your symptoms, how severe they are, how often they affect your functioning, what you can and cannot reliably do, and whether you are able to sustain work consistently.

Denials are common in cases like this. Each step is not a setback in the bigger picture, especially since you are already at the hearing stage. If it is denied, it just means you need to keep building evidence, not that you are out of options.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for ehdog
ehdog | @ehdog | 1 day ago
In reply to @ashlynnmae "Being young can make it a little harder, but it does not mean it is over...." + (show)
Profile picture for Wala @ashlynnmae

Being young can make it a little harder, but it does not mean it is over.

When you talk to the judge, just be honest about what you are dealing with, including OCD, anxiety, and agoraphobia, and how that affects your ability to leave home, get medical care, and function day to day.

Disability lawyers often sound blunt because they are trying to manage expectations and protect clients from feeling crushed if there is a denial. What he is really saying is your case may take more effort, not that there is no chance.

It could be helpful to ask your therapist to write a letter and send it to your lawyer. It should include your symptoms, how severe they are, how often they affect your functioning, what you can and cannot reliably do, and whether you are able to sustain work consistently.

Denials are common in cases like this. Each step is not a setback in the bigger picture, especially since you are already at the hearing stage. If it is denied, it just means you need to keep building evidence, not that you are out of options.

Jump to this post

@ashlynnmae

I don't think my therapist is Allowed to write a letter. I don't think my PCP is either. How am I supposed to build evidence without locking myself in the psych ward and retraumatizing myself at this point? I even told my lawyer I've had to talk my way out of being locked up again because the first time was so traumatic

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Wala
Wala | @ashlynnmae | 1 day ago
In reply to @ehdog "@ashlynnmae I don't think my therapist is Allowed to write a letter. I don't think my..." + (show)
Profile picture for ehdog @ehdog

@ashlynnmae

I don't think my therapist is Allowed to write a letter. I don't think my PCP is either. How am I supposed to build evidence without locking myself in the psych ward and retraumatizing myself at this point? I even told my lawyer I've had to talk my way out of being locked up again because the first time was so traumatic

Jump to this post

@ehdog

You should still ask. Even if they can’t do a formal letter, they can often provide visit summaries, treatment notes, or reports on daily functioning, and those still count.

Use what you already have.

You could also ask your providers for simple statements like:
Patient has ongoing symptoms affecting daily functioning.

And make sure you stay consistent with your outpatient care.

I’ve been following your posts for a while, and I honestly think you’ve got a good chance. Keep going, you’ll get it.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.