Struggling to Get Disability Approval

Get a lawyer.. most of them you don’t have a pay until you receive back pay and start receiving your money. That’s my plan.

Thank you everyone for your support, i feel a bit less upset than i did yesterday. Im going to keep trying to find a lawyer that will work with me, and i might try to go to my social security office and talk with them, see if they can help at all. The hard part is theyre an hour away and I can't drive, so my mom will have to take me, but she works so finding a day may be difficult. Still, it was really helpful to be reminded that I'm not alone and this is a real problem with the system, not me doing anything wrong. Thank you.

Hi love. My story was the same aged 14 - 30. I was diagnosed with Bi Polar Type 2, Dysthymia, Severe Depression and Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder and CPTSD! Turns out I just have a learning disability! It came to my attention I might have one last year after listening to Gabor Mate. I waited for a referral for an assessment through the NHS and, due to an admin error, it was not done until December when it was made in May. I was then told it was a 3 year waiting list. I am on benefits and used money left to me to my late (and incredible) grand mother to have a private assessment two weeks ago and I was diagnosed two days later. I am happy to give advice to anyone around misdiagnosis, neurodiversity and/or disability. Top tips: Speak to the charity Mind and get an advocate to go with you to all appointments. Get involved in expert by experience / lived experience roles in the NHS to grow confidence in listening to your heart and mind and creating positive change for others through telling your story. Find your community. Search discord (an app) to find people in the same boat as you and support each other. Research the difference between the medical model and social model of healthcare. It’s incredibly affirming. You are not alone. I was addicted to crystal meth a year ago because I was so unhappy and lost. I stopped listening to the system, professionals and did my own research. Bookmark articles (that have citations to medical journals at the bottom of the page) and show your doctor. Do not give up. Stay curious and, MOST OF ALL, be kind to yourself. I cannot stress this enough. You are not broken. It’s just a broken system. 💕

Good luck. I'm in the same boat.