Has Anyone On Here...
- Thread starter ljwwriter
- Start date
4seasons
Well-known member
My sister. I personally don't think people with SA should take advantage of something like that unless its really really bad. My uncle knew people who couldn't leave their room because of SA and from a professional opinion it was almost impossible for them to live a normal life. Thats the only time i think someone should get it. I'm disappointed in my sister for getting this, i personally don't think she qualifies. When i say this I'm think about people who are truly disabled nd cannot b any means get a job. They are the people who need it.[/i]
Ursula
Active member
That's a bit harsh, 4seasons. I've managed to get disability benefit because I have severe anxiety in social situations but I'm able to leave my house as long as I don't have to go anywhere crowded. It's easy to make moral judgements about whether or not people should be entitled to benefit and most people seem to like nothing better than having a moan about us 'scroungers' but you can't really judge someone as capable of work till you've got to know a bit more about them.
I think the main purpose of the interview they give you is to work out whether you're able to go back to work without any severe stress that might lead to a breakdown. They may ask how much time you prefer to spend alone, whether you're able to concentrate in a room full of people, whether being around people gives you suicidal thoughts, whether you need someone with you in shops/social situations or whether you can manage it alone. At least that's how it was here in the uk. Hope that was helpful and good luck with it all.
I think the main purpose of the interview they give you is to work out whether you're able to go back to work without any severe stress that might lead to a breakdown. They may ask how much time you prefer to spend alone, whether you're able to concentrate in a room full of people, whether being around people gives you suicidal thoughts, whether you need someone with you in shops/social situations or whether you can manage it alone. At least that's how it was here in the uk. Hope that was helpful and good luck with it all.
lonely_world
Well-known member
Your Dr. has to show them that he or she thinks your disabled enough that you can not work. That is the only way you will get benefits.
4seasons
Well-known member
I guess the way i put it was a bit harsh. When someone gets suicidal thoughts from being around people thats what i would classify as sever social anxiety, and in that case, like i said above it makes perfect sense someone gets treatment like this. But a lot of people with SA can get out there if they try, it just has to be done one step at time. It seems better for them if the don't get this, if they do, they will never "cure" themselves because everything is just handed to them. I think my sister is in this situation thats why I'm so quick to judge. I didn't even "judge" anyone in particular I'm just saying that people should classify there SA and try other alternatives before applying for something like this. I'm bad at making my points out clearly haha.Ursula said:
LostViking
Well-known member
I'm about to switch to the "rehab" system we have here in Norway, so I'll get money to survive until I'm well enough to return to my studies. It's not something I feel too proud of, but it's the doctor's orders as he wants me to focus on the treatment for now. It makes me feel a bit better that it's designed as a system that offers you a helping hand and then tries to get you back on your feet though. As opposed to just handing you the end of a rope and leave you dangling from the cliff, which tends to attract a whole lot of people determined to abuse it.
And I can also relate to being able to go outside the house, it's just that with my horribly limited social life/skills, there's not much out there for me to do just now. Don't make the mistake thinking everyone who receives disability benefits (assuming it works like here, you get money for your rent, food, etc) feel great about it. Finding someone who doesn't hope to get better in order to return to their studies or jobs is in my experience very rare. Hell, sitting inside all day with nothing to do only fuels my depression, get me better so I can go out there and work for my money and I'll be smiling all day.
And I can also relate to being able to go outside the house, it's just that with my horribly limited social life/skills, there's not much out there for me to do just now. Don't make the mistake thinking everyone who receives disability benefits (assuming it works like here, you get money for your rent, food, etc) feel great about it. Finding someone who doesn't hope to get better in order to return to their studies or jobs is in my experience very rare. Hell, sitting inside all day with nothing to do only fuels my depression, get me better so I can go out there and work for my money and I'll be smiling all day.
nhen
Active member
Even though I'm the resident newbie here, I have to disagree with you, 4seasons. I think what people with social phobia need is a lot of support, and what they don't need is people dismissing their illness, merely telling them to "tough it out". Personally, I have no trouble leaving the house, going shopping, eating at restaurants, and even, believe it or not, public speaking. However, what is very mild in some circumstances can become extremely severe in others. Simply put, work is where my social phobia manfests itself the strongest. A lot of people think I'm a faker, but those people haven't seen me at work. There are a lot of other situations that bring out my social phobia, but work is the one I can't get a handle on. When I can't handle the social pressures of work, depression, mood instability, and even mild psychosis rear their ugly heads.
Recently, I knew I was headed for a meltdown and I couldn't get anyone to take me seriously. I lost my job, and all the people who thought I was faking or not being tough enough contributed to me to becoming very depressed. Even though I never attempted suicide or honestly thought I would do it (although I was indulging such thoughts like a sick fantasy), I said I was going to commit suicide because it was the only way I could get the attention I had previously, but unsuccessfully, sought for. I was admitted to the hospital and, even though I normally hate hospitals, relished the time to recuperate.
You may think I was being dishonest, but I know I was reaching (or had already reached) my breaking point. And even if I wasn't suicidal, I needed help urgently, and I did what I had to do. So yeah, I get income assistance from the government now, and this will probably be the case for the next few months. I can't help but think I would be one of those people you would accuse of abusing the system; I seem to fit your criteria afterall. But the truth is, everyday people and medical professionals alike are a lot more inclined to dismiss or shrug off someone with social anxiety than depression, so I felt I had no choice. Bear in mind, however, that I was severely depressed because of the perceived hopelessness of my situtation and was least somewhat suicidal (depending on how you define it). All I know is that I'm getting the help I need...with any luck all become a happy, productive, tax-paying member of society some day. I can pay the government back 100x.
Put briefly, I don't know what your story is or if you suffer from social anxiety yourself, but the point is, you never know what's going on inside someone else's head. Your sister may be dealing with unique issues that you have never experienced or don't understand--although it is worth reminding you that this sort of thing is often genetic and runs in families, so if you have it, chances are someone else in your family does, too. And like I said, when a person with social phobia or any other mental illness works up the courage to ask for help, the last thing they need is someone to accuse them of being a faker or a weakling. Quite frankly, admitting that I have social phobia is rather humiliating, and not working to support my self and family is humiliating, so I'm going to assume that people are less inclined to lie about this sort of thing than you may think.
Recently, I knew I was headed for a meltdown and I couldn't get anyone to take me seriously. I lost my job, and all the people who thought I was faking or not being tough enough contributed to me to becoming very depressed. Even though I never attempted suicide or honestly thought I would do it (although I was indulging such thoughts like a sick fantasy), I said I was going to commit suicide because it was the only way I could get the attention I had previously, but unsuccessfully, sought for. I was admitted to the hospital and, even though I normally hate hospitals, relished the time to recuperate.
You may think I was being dishonest, but I know I was reaching (or had already reached) my breaking point. And even if I wasn't suicidal, I needed help urgently, and I did what I had to do. So yeah, I get income assistance from the government now, and this will probably be the case for the next few months. I can't help but think I would be one of those people you would accuse of abusing the system; I seem to fit your criteria afterall. But the truth is, everyday people and medical professionals alike are a lot more inclined to dismiss or shrug off someone with social anxiety than depression, so I felt I had no choice. Bear in mind, however, that I was severely depressed because of the perceived hopelessness of my situtation and was least somewhat suicidal (depending on how you define it). All I know is that I'm getting the help I need...with any luck all become a happy, productive, tax-paying member of society some day. I can pay the government back 100x.
Put briefly, I don't know what your story is or if you suffer from social anxiety yourself, but the point is, you never know what's going on inside someone else's head. Your sister may be dealing with unique issues that you have never experienced or don't understand--although it is worth reminding you that this sort of thing is often genetic and runs in families, so if you have it, chances are someone else in your family does, too. And like I said, when a person with social phobia or any other mental illness works up the courage to ask for help, the last thing they need is someone to accuse them of being a faker or a weakling. Quite frankly, admitting that I have social phobia is rather humiliating, and not working to support my self and family is humiliating, so I'm going to assume that people are less inclined to lie about this sort of thing than you may think.
Ursula
Active member
I totally agree with what nhen said as I'm in a similar situation myself. I'm not sure why anyone would want to 'abuse the system' when it's a pretty hard life surviving on disability benefits with regular interviews to make sure you're still eligible. It's human nature to want to get better and I make all the effort I possibly can to try but I do get tired of the constant suggestion that I'm doing something immoral. I think the problem is that noone knows what's going on in someone else's head so if you say 'I'm really depressed at work' it could mean anything from 'I'm slightly down' to 'I'm so anxious I almost want to kill myself' so because feelings can't be accurately described in words it means you're constantly open to misinterpretation.
I don't want to 'gang up' on you though 4seasons as I don't think you meant to be as harsh as you sounded in your first post. It's just a bit of a sensitive topic for me.
I don't want to 'gang up' on you though 4seasons as I don't think you meant to be as harsh as you sounded in your first post. It's just a bit of a sensitive topic for me.
SilentType
Banned
I receive disability benefits because of this panic disorder w/ agoraphobia. Ursulas first post on the subject summed it up. People who haven't experienced these conditions aren't in any place to judge us. That's why the doctors are the ones who put us on it. I really didn't even know existed until my doctor said something about it.
Peace
Peace
4seasons
Well-known member
You're all missing the point i was trying to make. All that I'm saying is basically if you NEED it you NEED it. People just have to take a hard look at themselves sometimes and think about what they are doing with their life and decide weather or not they really need this, and talk to a professional about it. Life is full of things like SA so why would you just let it stop you in our tracks. I'm not talking about people who are on this program while they recover thats a whole different situation. I'm talking about people who live off the governments money for the rest of their life instead of getting out there. I'm not sure who said this but yes i think the answer for a lot of people is to simply get out there and tough it out or at least try. The answer to SA is to face it, I'm learning this first and.
For those of you who think i am judging you...how can i do this if i don't know you? I'm sure you guys are making the right decisions for yourselves its your life, not mine I'm simply stating my opinion and views, nothing more.
I'm going to state this here clearly since a lot of people seem to miss what i say I'm not trying to judge or offend anyone so please don;t be offended.[/i]
For those of you who think i am judging you...how can i do this if i don't know you? I'm sure you guys are making the right decisions for yourselves its your life, not mine I'm simply stating my opinion and views, nothing more.
I'm going to state this here clearly since a lot of people seem to miss what i say I'm not trying to judge or offend anyone so please don;t be offended.[/i]
SilentType
Banned
Right, if you need it you need it. Do you think the government would give anybody money if they didn't need it? Doctors are the ones who decide which people need it. They are the professionals.
Peace
Peace
4seasons
Well-known member
The thing is also people come up with excuses so they don't have to work and somehow they slip threw the cracks and get what they want. My mom is a social worker and its her job to take care of people who get these types of benefits. I'm not saying she comes home talking shit on people or anything but with some of these people its just a fact.4seasons said: