Deeper relationship with God...

Nick01

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Hello. I am not sure where to put this post, so I went with the most relevant one I could find- since it's my ultimate goal to become closer with God anyways.

So, basically I got diagnosed with schizophrenia and I am receiving benefits. Every few months to every 7 years they do a checkup on you.

This hasn't happened yet.
I am real concerned about what I should say (even though I am praying, and I think that's helping) .. to keep getting benefits.

I used to work, and I got so upset hearing things/voices.

From what I understand, when they do a checkup... you can't be doing worse, and you can't be doing better. If you are doing worse, you may get locked up. If you are doing better ... you may lose disability. That's pretty much for sure. There would be no reason to keep you on it.

I used to get stressed out with a high amount of anxiety... and I don't want to go through it again. I like not having to work. I can load up Biblegateway.com and go to town.

... to make a lot story short :

I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and I need to know what to say at my next review to keep benefits.
 
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Nick01

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Hello. I am not sure where to put this post, so I went with the most relevant one I could find- since it's my ultimate goal to become closer with God anyways.

So, basically I got diagnosed with schizophrenia and I am receiving benefits. Every few months to every 7 years they do a checkup on you.

This hasn't happened yet.
I am real concerned about what I should say (even though I am prayer, and I think that's helping) .. to keep getting benefits.

I used to work, and I got so upset hearing things/voices.

From what I understand, when they do a checkup... you can't be doing worse, and you can't be doing better. If you are doing worse, you may get locked up. If you are doing better ... you may lose disability. That's pretty much for sure. There would be no reason to keep you on it.

I used to get stressed out with a high amount of anxiety... and I don't want to go through it again. I like not having to work. I can load up Biblegateway.com and go to town.

... to make a lot story short :

I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and I need to know what to say at my next review to keep benefits.


If this post needs to be moved to another forum let me know. It's highly important to me that I get some answers to this. Thanks.
 
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jameshjr

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Hello. I am not sure where to put this post, so I went with the most relevant one I could find- since it's my ultimate goal to become closer with God anyways.

So, basically I got diagnosed with schizophrenia and I am receiving benefits. Every few months to every 7 years they do a checkup on you.

This hasn't happened yet.
I am real concerned about what I should say (even though I am prayer, and I think that's helping) .. to keep getting benefits.

I used to work, and I got so upset hearing things/voices.

From what I understand, when they do a checkup... you can't be doing worse, and you can't be doing better. If you are doing worse, you may get locked up. If you are doing better ... you may lose disability. That's pretty much for sure. There would be no reason to keep you on it.

I used to get stressed out with a high amount of anxiety... and I don't want to go through it again. I like not having to work. I can load up Biblegateway.com and go to town.

... to make a lot story short :

I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and I need to know what to say at my next review to keep benefits.

Hello Nick, I am sorry to hear about your problem. i used to work ( as a support worker) with someone whom had schizophrenia and it was awful for her.

Firstly, i would be concerned about you not wanting to go back to work as the bible says :

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”

2 Thessalonians 3:10

Additionally one of the ten commandments is that you should not bear false witness.

I think manipulating the truth so that you continue to gain benefits is absolutely something you should not do.

My advice would be to be honest, and see what happens. If the assessor deems you okay to work then you should be pleased, they will not throw you into work you were not able to do and im sure they would only give you something that you can handle. Trust God.

I understand that schizophrenia is a terrible condition to have but remember that Jesus (and his disciples) had the power to cast out all manner of demons, and if you truly believe in Him
you and your old self are dead:

2 Corinthians 4:11

"For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."

allow Jesus to work in you and to let your old ways die and to become something new.

I understand that changing and doing new things is scary but:

Psalm 27:

"1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?"

I understand that this is probably not what you wanted to hear, but i hope that it helps.

God bless you.









 
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jameshjr

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What do you think I should say?

I dont think it matters what i think you should say. tell the truth.

why dont you imagine now how the interview would go?

e.g. Hey, Nick. How have you been feeling/ coping since we last met. Do you feel like you have improved or gotten worse since i last saw you?
 
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Nick01

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I dont think it matters what i think you should say. tell the truth.

why dont you imagine now how the interview would go?

e.g. Hey, Nick. How have you been feeling/ coping since we last met. Do you feel like you have improved or gotten worse since i last saw you?


I'd say, about the same. I don't really hear voices anymore, but it stresses me out just thinking about them. I have had basically nothing but bad jobs, and I think I need to have the space to cope with God, and pray about my daily problems.

I'd say the main thing with me is stress and anxiety, and I don't want to be put back in a place where I might start showing symptoms.
 
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jameshjr

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I'd say, about the same. I don't really hear voices anymore, but it stresses me out just thinking about them. I have had basically nothing but bad jobs, and I think I need to have the space to cope with God, and pray about my daily problems.

I'd say the main thing with me is stress and anxiety, and I don't want to be put back in a place where I might start showing symptoms.


Speaking as myself, its great that you do not hear voices anymore. i think that you should say exactly what you said to me, to the person who will contact you. they will be trained in assessing if you are ready to work, and to what degree.

I definitely get the stress and anxiety thing and i know its hard but thinking about this verse helps me:

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? – Luke 12:25.

Have you thought about volunteering as it is something without too much responsibility or expectation, and would be a great step into getting back into the world (when you are ready).

The bible says:

Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world."

God does not want His people to be hiding their light from the world, He wants us to be in the world attracting people to us so that we can direct them to Him.

Additionally, i appreciate that it is difficult ,but are you a member of a church, because if not (especially when lock-down is over) i think being around other Christians would be a great place for you to open up to people and grow in confidence.

When things are tough i find it helpful to think that all things are God's will and that He is doing them for a reason (even though its not always pleasant), and that turning to Him and his word (the Bible)- and following it- is the way to solve all our problems.

I hope this is helpful, and i am sorry if i am being preachy or giving too much advice, but i have been through and been around people whom have similar problems and i hope that by sharing what helped me that it will help others.

I'm going to sign off now, but i will be back on tomorrow if you want to continue the conversation.

God bless you, and i will mention you in my prayers tonight,

Shalom.
 
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Nick01

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Thanks.

This is going to be along the lines of what I might say :


When I used to have work, the voices were terrible. I couldn’t stand them.
I used to get really stressed out and anxious.

Since I have been on disability, I have managed to keep my symptoms in check with my medication and reading the Bible every day.

If I do get stressed out or anxious, I just read. I like having the freedom, where I can sit down and pray.

I don’t want to be put back into a position where I might develop symptoms. I think the only reason I am doing fine now .. is because I take my medications, keep up with my appointments and pray every day.

I don’t want to start hearing voices again, and I think having to go back to work would cause them to come back. I already deal with stress and anxiety. Mainly anxiety.

And sometimes I see flashes of light.
It tends to help when I pray about it, while also reading the Word.
 
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Nick01

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I don't want to get locked up for hearing voices. What else should I say?

maybe... I experience stress an anxiety, and I think that going back to work would increase that. I think the medication is helping me out, but I don't want to be put back into a position where things might get worse. I am happy now with the way things are.

thoughts? additions?
 
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splish- splash

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Thanks.

This is going to be along the lines of what I might say :


When I used to have work, the voices were terrible. I couldn’t stand them.
I used to get really stressed out and anxious.

Since I have been on disability, I have managed to keep my symptoms in check with my medication and reading the Bible every day.

If I do get stressed out or anxious, I just read. I like having the freedom, where I can sit down and pray.

I don’t want to be put back into a position where I might develop symptoms. I think the only reason I am doing fine now .. is because I take my medications, keep up with my appointments and pray every day.

I don’t want to start hearing voices again, and I think having to go back to work would cause them to come back. I already deal with stress and anxiety. Mainly anxiety.

And sometimes I see flashes of light.
It tends to help when I pray about it, while also reading the Word.

I don't want to get locked up for hearing voices. What else should I say?

maybe... I experience stress an anxiety, and I think that going back to work would increase that. I think the medication is helping me out, but I don't want to be put back into a position where things might get worse. I am happy now with the way things are.

thoughts? additions?

Ok it looks like you're scared of going back to work, because i was going to say, can they not review your medication, if you were wanting to go back to work?
 
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Nick01

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Ok it looks like you're scared of going back to work, because i was going to say, can they not review your medication, if you were wanting to go back to work?

What do you mean?
I am not sure if this is useful info or not, but someone told me that as long as I am taking my medication they wont take me off of SSDI. Does that sound true?
 
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Nick01

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How about this :

I am currently almost stress free, thanks to my medication, but I believe that I may start getting stressed out an anxious again if I had to start working, and also start hearing voices again , like I’ve had at most of my jobs - where I have either gotten fired or quit. I don’t want to be put back into that situation again. I feel content with what I have now. I continue to pray every day.
 
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splish- splash

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What do you mean?
I am not sure if this is useful info or not, but someone told me that as long as I am taking my medication they wont take me off of SSDI. Does that sound true?



So would you rather live on medication because of benefits? How long have you been on medication for if you don't mind me asking?
 
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Nick01

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So would you rather live on medication because of benefits? How long have you been on medication for if you don't mind me asking?

around 4 years, I think....

________
How about this, (what I might say) ...

I have stress and anxiety still, and I think that if I had to start working again … that I might start hearing voices again. I’ve quit jobs , and have been fire by jobs because if my illness…
 
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Stone-n-Steel

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Hello. I am not sure where to put this post, so I went with the most relevant one I could find- since it's my ultimate goal to become closer with God anyways.

So, basically I got diagnosed with schizophrenia and I am receiving benefits. Every few months to every 7 years they do a checkup on you.

This hasn't happened yet.
I am real concerned about what I should say (even though I am praying, and I think that's helping) .. to keep getting benefits.

I used to work, and I got so upset hearing things/voices.

From what I understand, when they do a checkup... you can't be doing worse, and you can't be doing better. If you are doing worse, you may get locked up. If you are doing better ... you may lose disability. That's pretty much for sure. There would be no reason to keep you on it.

I used to get stressed out with a high amount of anxiety... and I don't want to go through it again. I like not having to work. I can load up Biblegateway.com and go to town.

... to make a lot story short :

I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and I need to know what to say at my next review to keep benefits.

Hello Nick,

The simple Christian response should be honesty, However I helped a friend do his report.

1. Go over the documents that you filed when you applied for assistance. If you are in the same condition then that should be a great resource.

2. Contact the doctor that you used the first time and have them do another evaluation. If that is the same then use that.

3. Have a friend give an evaluation of how you were before and how you are now. One big criteria is as you mentioned it. Have you changed?

4. Finally if the thought of doing a review causes you anxiety then mention that. They want to know how you would do at a regular job. If you have problems with the review then a regular job will be a problem.
 
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jameshjr

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Thanks.

This is going to be along the lines of what I might say :


When I used to have work, the voices were terrible. I couldn’t stand them.
I used to get really stressed out and anxious.

Since I have been on disability, I have managed to keep my symptoms in check with my medication and reading the Bible every day.

If I do get stressed out or anxious, I just read. I like having the freedom, where I can sit down and pray.

I don’t want to be put back into a position where I might develop symptoms. I think the only reason I am doing fine now .. is because I take my medications, keep up with my appointments and pray every day.

I don’t want to start hearing voices again, and I think having to go back to work would cause them to come back. I already deal with stress and anxiety. Mainly anxiety.

And sometimes I see flashes of light.
It tends to help when I pray about it, while also reading the Word.

Hello Nick,

Sorry for not getting back to you yesterday, i was pretty exhausted and couldnt manage to get on to respond.

After looking through the thread i agree with stone an steel in that you should be as honest as you can be.

I think the message that i have quoted from you in this message sound honest.

I would also advise you to try and increase your contact with other people as much as you can stand (in some of the ways that i have suggested previously).

I would advise caution against not doing something because of fear also. if you truly follow God, then i will remind you that he doesn't want us to live in fear:

Proverbs 29:25 - The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT FEAR

God bless.
 
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jameshjr

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Thanks.

This is going to be along the lines of what I might say :


When I used to have work, the voices were terrible. I couldn’t stand them.
I used to get really stressed out and anxious.

Since I have been on disability, I have managed to keep my symptoms in check with my medication and reading the Bible every day.

If I do get stressed out or anxious, I just read. I like having the freedom, where I can sit down and pray.

I don’t want to be put back into a position where I might develop symptoms. I think the only reason I am doing fine now .. is because I take my medications, keep up with my appointments and pray every day.

I don’t want to start hearing voices again, and I think having to go back to work would cause them to come back. I already deal with stress and anxiety. Mainly anxiety.

And sometimes I see flashes of light.
It tends to help when I pray about it, while also reading the Word.

I think that you have answered that yourself. You are not currently hearing voices.

Matthew 6:27
New International Version

27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
 
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CMDRExorcist

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I mainly need to know whether or not I would get locked up for hearing voices again. If not, I will just tell them.

Hello Nick,

I spent over a decade working in the Mental Health field. In my experience (I can’t speak for everywhere), only people who are determined to be a danger to themselves or others get put into healthcare facilities against their will. Visual or auditory hallucinations are not necessarily criteria for forced hospitalization. Otherwise, it’s completely up to the patient as there is a contract between you and your provider regarding your care. Also, if you’re getting a disability evaluation, they’re probably more interested in collecting details about your current condition rather than conducting a full-on psychological eval to determine a course of treatment.

The best thing for you to do is be honest. There’s less chance of you being caught in a lie and I’m sure your conscience will be much clearer.
 
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