Diagnosed with major depression
 

Hi Everybody,
I have just been diagnosed with major depression. I have chronic pain and other problems that you can read about in my signature. I have had a problem with passing out in public/private and hitting my head many times resulting in many concussions. This passing out problem has also given me a major anxiety problem. I am unable to stand in any lines, go to the grocery store or crowded places, work etc. I was denied disability and applied again on a new claim in March. This depression comes a lot from being in chronic pain daily, having severe limits on my life due to the anxiety disorder and from being denied disability. I am so depressed I am worried if I can pull out of this. I am so stressed out about being accepted on disability because I really cannot work so what will I do? I need to see a psychiatrist but Medicaid does not cover any mental health (at least in my state). Does anyone have any ideas on how to see a psychiatrist with no money? I need the records from one to get disability and I need disability so I can get myself treatment. :( if anyone has any suggestions for things that can help major depression I would appreciate any advise. I have tried many different anti-depressants and had real bad reactions to them all. They aggravate the REM sleep disorder that I suffer from and make me feel insane. I take MS Contin for my pain and feel like it helps for depression also. I can't tell disability this though or they will just look at me as being a drug addict and not trying to do what I can to get better. I do meditation which I think is the only thing that has kept me alive for these past few years. I am sorry for any of you that are suffering with depression. This is just a miserable condition. Any advise/comments would be appreciated.
Brain

Hi ~ I'm so sorry you're having these problems. Do you have an attorney to help you with your disability claim? You should have. YOu could hire one on contingency, meaning you don't pay him anything -- he gets his fee from your back wages (the social security claim). I do hope you have one.

If you get denied this time and DON'T have an attorney, GET ONE. And hire him on contingency. He'll get you approved quickly because he knows the proper paperwork & wording, etc.

How often do you pass out or have these seizures? Perhaps your medication needs adjusting. It may need to be increased -- talk to your doctor about this if it's happening often.

It's strange that mental health isn't covered on your state's Medicaid program. I thought it was covered on all states, but evidently not, huh? You might check and see if there is SOME way that they could get it thru for you. Perhaps under special circumstances??? It's worth a check.

I have major depressive disorder too (clinical depression) and I've been on medication for about 40 years. And I'll be on it the rest of my life. Right now I'm thinking I may need a change in medication because I'm getting used to this one. I'm at the maximum dosage of this med, so a change is needed.

Some psychiatrists see patients on a sliding scale basis. You pay according to what you can afford. But you have to find out in advance which ones they are --- you'd have to call and ask before making an appointment. If they say no, then you might ask if they know who DOES work on a sliding scale basis.

I wish you the very best my friend. I know how difficult this is. Please take care, and God bless. Hugs, Lee ;)

have you tried your county assistance office for health insurance thats what i did, your dr and therapist is covered n meds atleast mine are and they take good care of you. I was diagnosed in 97 with bi polar major depression it gets better

Depression and disability
 

I was diagnosed with depression about 15 yrs ago and I think most people that are diagnosed with severe depression probably will stay medicated the rest of their lives, but it sounds like you need to talk to your psychiatrist about adding a new med. I think I've been on every single one of them, but I found something that works, not to say I never get depressed, but its not as often or severe. Please don't think like you're not going to pull out of it because that can lead down a really scary road. Just give it a little time, talk to your doctor, talk to a friend that understands or will at least listen because the more you hide out the worse its going to get. I know all this sounds so much easier to say than do, but start by doing just one thing a day, no matte how hard it is.

I understand completely that you want to be on disability... I know I've lost most of my jobs due to my depression getting to me. I talked to my psych a out getting disability and he said about 70% of people get turned down, and its pretty much worthless to get disability because you get so little money you may not even have enough to live off of. I wanted it too. I can't seem to hold a job either and it's scary and frustrating but I guess all we can do is keep trying. Get some support, but I wouldn't put all your energy into getting disability.
I'm so sorry you are hurting, please don't so anything to hurt yourself though.