Disability for SA in Canada

[JefferyBucket]

Hi, this is my first post. I am interested in people's experiences being on disability for social phobia/anxiety in Canada, specifically Alberta.

First, are those of you receiving disability (AISH in Alberta, for example) able to live alone? Or is it difficult to manage financially unless you're living with a relative or roommate? For me, either having a roommate or living with my mother only make my mental health worse. How are you all coping?

Second, I've received assistance in the past for anxiety and depression and it's always on the condition that I am complying with treatment, which is always drugs because I am always referred to a psychiatrist. Because I choose to take as little as I can get away with, I do not always function well when I have a job. Has anyone been successful either getting financial support and not taking meds or going through a different route for treatment, such as behavioural therapy with a psychologist.

I appreciate any input as I'm not sure what to do after years of being referred to psychiatrists and written prescriptions without any mention of any sort of long-term therapy. It's so difficult for me to ask these questions to doctors directly.

 

[Pacific_Loner]

I've never checked, but I would think you need a paper from your doctor saying that you can't work to get disability.

About your anxiety/depression, just curiosity, I see you've tried the easy and not very efficient short term way (meds), now have you tried the harder but very efficient and definitely healthier long term way (LOTS of exercice, lots of time outside, insanely healthy diet and limited computer/TV time)

 

[JefferyBucket]

Thanks for the reply, PL. I have received notes from my doctor saying I'm unable to work but an agreement always follows that I will be taking medication and seeing a mental health worker, most of whom are poorly qualified in my opinion.
Maybe that's the game though: you have to be constantly reevaluated and your disability status renewed. You have to keep accepting uncertain treatments under the idea that one may work, one day. It seems analogous to a physically disabled person having to undergo treatment after treatment, some experimental, in the hopes that they will no longer have the disability.
I realize the goal of treatment is a better quality of life for us all but I wonder if the stress of needing to be "better" causes anxiety that could be avoided by being able to accept our limitations and creating more flexibility in the world to accommodate people with these limitations.

PL, I've been a long time healthy eater and love physical activity. There are times, usually the winter, when I'll spend less effort on these things and suffer the consequences, but I'm generally eating well, doing plenty of outdoor activities, and do not own a tv.