| Bipolar disorder (also known as manic
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| | most successful disability applicants
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| depression) affects an estimated 2
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| | seek some kind of help, either from a
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| million people over the age of 18.
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| | professional advocate or specialized
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| Unfortunately, severe symptoms associated
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| | information and help source.#3: How long
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| with either manic episodes, depression
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| | will it take?Most initial claims are
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| (or both) can cause difficulties in
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| | decided in 3-4 months. Some take more,
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| holding down a regular job. In fact,
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| | some less. If your claim has to go
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| working may become impossible for some
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| | through the appeals process, it can take
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| bipolars.The Social Security
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| | another 6-12 months -- occasionally, even
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| Administration (SSA) has disability
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| | longer. This is why it is important to
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| benefit programs in place for those with
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| | present a strong case from the very
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| severe bipolar who are unable to work due
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| | beginning, to expedite the success of
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| to the disorder. These are five
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| | your claim.#4: What if my claim is
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| commonly-asked questions about disability
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| | denied?Don't give up! If your initial
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| benefits:#1: How can I prove I'm disabled
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| | claim is denied, you have the opportunity
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| by my bipolar disorder?SSA has certain
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| | to appeal and request a hearing. (Some
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| criteria they use to establish any kind
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| | states have two lower levels prior to the
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| of disability, whether related to
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| | hearing level.) The hearing before a
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| physical or mental disorders. First, your
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| | judge is really your best chance to win.
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| disorder must be severe enough to keep
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| | However, it is not smart to go in
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| you from working more than just a minimal
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| | unprepared. You need to present a strong
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| amount. Second, it must be diagnosed by a
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| | and convincing case to sway the judge
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| medical professional, typically a
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| | enough to award you benefits.
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| physician or psychologist. (A
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| | Preparation, including good documentation
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| psychiatrist is a type of physician.)
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| | of your bipolar condition and its effect
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| Third, it must be expected to last at
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| | on your ability to work, is essential to
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| least 12 months.Additionally, a diagnosis
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| | your claim's success.#5: What kind of
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| of bipolar disorder commonly involves a
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| | benefits will I receive?Disability
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| number of signs and symptoms that SSA
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| | benefits include monthly checks which
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| looks at when determining whether someone
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| | vary, depending upon the program you fall
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| qualifies for disability benefits. These
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| | under. There are two main disability
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| symptoms could be present in either
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| | programs under Social Security. The SSDI
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| depressive or manic syndromes, and
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| | program is based primarily on your work
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| include things such as:* Appetite and/or
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| | history; monthly checks average around
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| sleep disturbance
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| | $900. The SSI program is based on
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| * Hyperactivity or a lack of energy
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| | financial need and resources; it helps
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| * Difficulty concentrating
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| | those without a steady work history.
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| * Involvement in high-risk activities
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| | Everyone gets the same amount under SSI -
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| * Loss of interest in activities
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| | around $600/month maximum.Of course, many
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| * Feelings of guilt or worthlessness or
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| | benefit winners receive a back benefit
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| inflated self-esteem
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| | check which can be many thousands of
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| * Hallucinations, delusions or paranoid
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| | dollars; this is one reason why it is
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| thinking
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| | important to apply as soon as you become
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| * Thoughts of suicide
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| | eligible.Other benefits include health
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| * Repeated episodes that affect your
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| | and medical benefits (Medicare and/or
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| ability to function normallyOf
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| | Medicaid), newly-established prescription
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| course, there are many factors that SSA
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| | drug benefits, and even continued
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| will look at. They will want
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| | benefits while trying to go back to work,
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| documentation from your health providers
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| | if your situation improves.Dr. Nickerson
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| and possibly your family, friends or
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| | has developed the ultimate resource to
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| others who know you.#2: What are my
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| | help those with bipolar disorder win
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| chances of winning?Unfortunately, the
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| | Social Security disability benefits --
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| average approval rating for disability
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| | without hiring an expensive lawyer or
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| claims at the initial level is only about
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| | paid representative. Get the full story
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| 25-30%. Why? Most claims lack significant
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| | at now!
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| pieces of information. For this reason,
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