View Full Version : IS THIS A DISABILITY ?
I just wanted to know how others view there anxiety? ,
I firmly belive that Panic disorder is a true disability.......
we are restricted in many ways and I feel its unrecognised by many.
I would like to know if anyone knows of someone who has been registed disabled because of there Panic/anxiety or gets any sort of benefit relating to it ?
mirryx
I think anxiety and panic is definately a disability, although not life threatening we think it is at the time and nobody who has never excperienced it will understand.
People with nerve trouble are classed as disabled, isnt that the same sort of thing?
madsxx
why dont sheep shrink in the rain?
existential crisis
24-11-05, 11:58
Its definately disabling - there aint no doubt about that. I know someone who gets incapacity benefit for having depression so if you can prove it to the social security that you've got it, you'd probably get something. I mean depression and anxiety are best mates arent they?! I dunno whether I'd feel comfortable calling myself disabled though - Maybe it's just me but I still think I'm very lucky to be physically healthy - and my anxiety is something that I can change if I try hard enough. I wouldnt expect someone who was physically disabled to have much sympathy for me because they would probably kill for the chance of an active, healthy body. I mean if you are severely physically disabled then you probably will be for life whereas at least with anxiety there is always a chance that one day you will be totally back to normal. x
*I think, therefore I am.*
I know what you mean about being physically healthy as I know someone in a wheelchair whos young and has had no diagnosis as to why he cant walk anymore (past 3 years).
One Mental health doctor said to me when diagnosing my son with aspergers syndrome "A hidden disability is one of the saddest disabilitys to have because no one makes any allowances".
I now understand what he meant.
mirryx
I agree that panic disorder is disabling and incapacitating but im not sure that i agree its a disability. I consider a disability something from which you cant recover, such as paralysis, arthritis etc. I do think that people with panic disorders should receive incapacity benefit, but i dont think they should be labelled disabled. I think the process of labelling someone disabled may make them more likely to accept the label and not strive to recover as much as they would otherwise.
The fact that some people can recover completely from panic disorder and agoraphobia with the correct treatment suggests to me that its not a disability in the legal sense of the word. But i understand that when someone is in the grips of panic disorder they are disabled and incapacitated, and should receive benefits. I would be reluctant to class them as disabled though, as the term is very final.
Hi Mirry
I would agree with you that panic disorder IS a true disabilty, but and ITS A BIG BUT I would have to say that I would NOT want it labeled that way.
My daughter suffered PA's, anxiety form the age of 3, if she was labeled as being disabled, I would have given up becasue to me this word means forever, she is now 12 and doing very well.[^]
As for me I came to this site suffering with Pa's and liveing in fear 24/7, again if I thought of being disabled Mr anxiety would of played on this. Well at the time of finding this site I was convinced I was going to be like this forever anyway. Becasue of ths site I am now PA and high anxiety free. Since finding this site, I have found out that I have been suffering GAD all my life, thats another story, so I wont bore you[|)]
I totaly agree that you are retricted in sooooo many ways, my daughter missed out on soooo much, and it took me along time to right the wrongs. Even with myself It was a battle, a fight I thought I would never win.
I agree that there should be some sort of benefit and I think a friend of mine's sister got sickness benefit, while she learnd how to deal with her anxiety.
I have always viewed my daughters anxiety as something that CAN be fixed, As for me, it was only when I found this site and learned how to deal with the panic, learning that what I had been suffering with all my life ( GAD ) that this could be fixed too.
I firmly belive that you CAN learn how to feel better, but I also know how dame hard it is becasue Mr anxiety is alway there telling you all her negative's.
I want, like everyone on here sooooo much for this disorder to be reconginsed., but I would NOT want it to go under a heading, disabled.
TAKE CARE
LOVE JILLXX
wobily_lin
25-11-05, 23:51
hi,
yeh when you have such conditions as we have, it is so debilitating in so many ways. yes incapasity is available. on my first session with my psychiatrist she advised me to apply for disability living allowance as this is affecting my life in so many ways and stopping me living my life. i was shocked as i have a son who suffers from autism and learning disabilities and i receive that for him which i totaly agree with. i really had to think about that one. i havent applied although i know from what my doc said i will get it but i would feel so guilty if i did. i m not physically disabled. i dont know. this is a hidden illness. although mine is also physical to the point i shake uncontolably most if not all of the time as well as the other symptoms we all have. i dont think its a disability but if it affects your life so badly that you are unable to live a normal live without fears such as ours, i suppose it is.
but should it be recognised as a disability. i dont know. mental /pschological ilnesses are so complex. like i said its hidden. maybe maybe not. i like to believe i will get well, but my son never will.
take care.
ptsd sufferer.
lin x
About 2 years ago.. i tried my hardest to convince Social Security that Panic attacks/Panic Disorder are a disability.. sadly they were biting. Mind you I am agoraphobic.. mind you for 3 years I couldn't walk out of my house.. I couldn't be in a car without loosing my mind.. I couldn't work.. I could hardly function... yet when it came time for the hearing for Disability I was ruled Perfectly Fine to work!!
I still believe it is a disability it robs you of parts of your life, it takes away the things you like or need to do.. I just wish the "important" ones saw it that way.. but why should they care it doesn't affect them.
Wobblylin, my son has aspergers (a form of autism) and other ass learning disabilitys, he also has anaphylaxis to foods, I didnt know we could both apply ?
mirryx
I agree that anxiety and panic brings enormous upheaval to lives and can temporarily cause disability but I agree with Jill and Alice that the label does imply that it is long term and I firmly believe that this severity of anxiety can be overcome and improved on so life is manageable again.
I understand that for financial assistance the word disability may be the only one that works within the current system
Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com
Your anxiety is the human representation of the pictures that you paint using your many vivid colours of revolving and reoccurring thoughts.
How big is your gallery ?
I agree with Meg.
While we are acute then it does seem to be a disability but I too would hate to be tagged with that for ever.
love Piglet x
"Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?" said Piglet.
"Supposing it didn't," said Pooh after careful thought.
I agree that panic disorder is disabling and incapacitating but im not sure that i agree its a disability. I consider a disability something from which you cant recover, such as paralysis, arthritis etc. I do think that people with panic disorders should receive incapacity benefit, but i dont think they should be labelled disabled. I think the process of labelling someone disabled may make them more likely to accept the label and not strive to recover as much as they would otherwise.
The fact that some people can recover completely from panic disorder and agoraphobia with the correct treatment suggests to me that its not a disability in the legal sense of the word. But i understand that when someone is in the grips of panic disorder they are disabled and incapacitated, and should receive benefits. I would be reluctant to class them as disabled though, as the term is very final.
i suppose not but i also suppose that when someone has a panic attack that it is so unknown in society and causes a parent or daughter to panic as well when its happening then when i'm finally on the bed passed out and can just about make it to the toliet with very much falling over because of the pain then you could say the term disabled comes in very helpful and not just a final judgement from anti social thugs and neighbours ,the more people understand the dangers and talk about things more widely and not just about final words as final words are for those who do not like to talk
I spoke to someone last week who said that Anxiety/Panic Attacks can be classed as a disability as someone who suffers from those things also including Depression, could be said to require emotional support, and so, could get Disability Living Allowance even though no carer/friend has to be with you. I too wouldnt like to be classed as Disabled forever either as Id like to think I could go back to work some day. When I think of all the years I have suffered with this on and off though, it makes me feel it certainly does deserve more recognition as it is a constant fear and even though it is not there at any given time, it always is in the mind and prevents sufferers from leading a full and productive life, having many friends, fitting in, having confidence and so many other areas of life. Any further information from anyone out there who knows more about it Id love to hear from you.
I don't agree that panic/anxiety is a disability.
It is a condition which can be both chronic and debilitating but to call it otherwise implies it is permanent and irreversible, neither of which is true.
To Mirry
My 2 grandsons both have ASD high functioning very intelligent but do not play well with others social problems and my daughter has DLA for both of them and the oldest 1 has a classroom ass full time the youngest is being assessed for 1 now very hard to understand as most people seem 2 think they r just rude or badly behaved so u can apply and u get carers allowance
Dying_Swan
06-02-10, 13:10
This is an interesting one, and it probably depends on which definition you go on.
I have another medical condition (endometriosis) and never considered that I was 'disabled'. I don't use a wheelchair, and it's not a life threatening illness. However, the Disability Discrimination Act would say (I think) that I am disabled. I think their criteria are having a condition that will last for at least 12 months, and one that affects your daily functioning (in a number of different aspects). I am ok at the moment but I need to be on medication to control my endometriosis, or my daily functioning is limited. So I suppose I consider myself to have a disability but not to be disabled....go figure!
As for anxiety, well I guess it depends on how severe it is. I am certainly not disabled by anxiety, but perhaps at one time I was. If people's anxiety is long term and enduring, and their daily function is impaired (with or without medication), then the DDA would most likely class them as disabled. From what I've read, the only person who can determine this is a Judge! The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are great and have a lot of info available.
That's only the DDA though, which as I understand it applies to employment/education etc and is about making 'reasonable adjustments' to allow people to work/learn. I don't imagine a Judge is required to determine some people's disability, or if a blue badge is needed etc.
At this point I would like to add I am not an authority on disability....I've just read a bit about it :D
I can see both sides on this one. I don't think there is any need to class anxiety as a disability unless it is of use to someone. It can definitely be overcome which is the most important thing :yesyes:
munkeyinblack
06-02-10, 13:22
You could ask the same questions of dyslexia or Schizophrenia or so many other illnesses. Every single case is different but i dont see disability as permanent. I dislocated both my knees in october and cant walk. I am disabled. Yes , but not forever, i can train myself to walk again or have operations to help me in the same way we can do breathing exercises or try a bath to relax ourselves.
The problem is not should this be a disability but what are the effects of labelling it in this way ? The world seems to have more of as issue being labelled than considerng what is actually wrong with people and how can we help, with money or otherwise
Munkey
x
My understanding of it is that if its even temporarily disabling you can claim benefits ie DLA claim but you might be up for a fight for an award but worth it nonetheless if you get it. I also believe the DLA forms say something along the lines of having a 'disability' that you have had for three months and reasonably expect to have for a further 6 months. As much as the benefit forms are heavily weighed towards describing your mobility you have to keep in mind the care component. How much help do you need to function? Eg someone may have no problems walking miles can can they do that without support. The level of 'support' plays a crucial role when applying as well. Another example, If I was in a care facility that was manned 24/7 and I required support to fulfil all aspects of daily living to my knowledge I would qualify for DLA. When you consider this in your home environment the lesser the care required the lesser the award would be made if any.
Hope that makes sense :D
I have an 18 yr old son with a life threatening and chronic disorder of the immune system. From when he was 2yrs and newly diagnosed, we tried to instil a mindset of 'living life to the full' and 'your condition mustn't stop you from achieving your dreams'. If you saw him, you wouldn't know he has medical problems, he often has time off from college and he's often in pain but he never considers himself as disabled. He has a vision for his life and I encourage him to go for it. Anxiety is without doubt very debillitating, during my worst times, I wanted to just stay at home and hide. Instead, I held down a full time senior position (often I arrived at work and panic at my desk) and managed with some difficulty to carry on. However, I know it's not that simple for everyone and sometimes we have to take time out and recover. I wouldn't ever have considered myself as disabled, labelling sets parameters and I didn't want to live within boundaries.
As for benefits, I've never claimed them for my son but if it helps, they're there to support people in times of hardship and disadvantage. There are £millions of unclaimed benefits so if you're entitled, you should claim.
burberrygirl72
08-02-10, 22:57
this is a disability i claim dla for this at a low rate xxxx
BabyRachel
08-02-10, 23:29
I agree that panic disorder is disabling and incapacitating but im not sure that i agree its a disability. I consider a disability something from which you cant recover, such as paralysis, arthritis etc. I do think that people with panic disorders should receive incapacity benefit, but i dont think they should be labelled disabled. I think the process of labelling someone disabled may make them more likely to accept the label and not strive to recover as much as they would otherwise.
The fact that some people can recover completely from panic disorder and agoraphobia with the correct treatment suggests to me that its not a disability in the legal sense of the word. But i understand that when someone is in the grips of panic disorder they are disabled and incapacitated, and should receive benefits. I would be reluctant to class them as disabled though, as the term is very final.
I agree.
shotokansho
09-02-10, 08:46
At present i have had to give up my job and my gp has signed me off and given me sick notes. I am now claiming sick pay from social security. My anx/depression got to much for me at work, but i dont consider myself disabled.
My job in question was support work and other peoples problems just clashed with mine. Its not that im not fit for work, just not that particular work.
The thing is i was told at welfare rights that while you are on sick for what we suffer this has to be WELL proven because they send you for medicals and stuff and unfortunately the medical officers only take physical condition into consideration, so you would have a hard time claiming benefits for it.
Saying that i do know some people that are suffering with anx/depression that do claim incapacity benefits...thats just not a route i would personally like to take.
frightenedbutterfly
09-02-10, 10:56
When my anxiety disorders first appeared, I had no trouble at all claiming benefits. I had to attend a medical for incapacity, but within 5 minutes the doctor said I didn't need to be there because it was obvious I was very sick and sent me on my way! I'm not sure if it was my age though, I was 18 at the time. That was 4 years ago. I also got awarded DLA at high rate.
I don't view a disability as a life sentance; so yes I do think that this is a disability purely because of the massive impact it can have on every aspect of our lives. The word does imply being physically incapable of walking and there is maybe an aspect of humility/pride involved when a mental illness invites you maybe being called 'disabled'? It's just a word after all, there shouldn't be such a stigma around it.
For some people with panic disorder or agoraphobia,this is a disability so yes is the answer to your question..
Those with panic disorder may qualify for disability benefits if their illness is so extreme that it prevents them from performing any job duties,so yes again..
what you really must try to do is see if you really want that label with you..if of course you feel that is it which i hope you don,t(because there is always hope)your doctor should be able to point you in the right direction..
hope this helps..
bobby diraag
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