I have schizophrenia. If one day my doctor can successfully wean me off antipsychotics. Can I still collect disability pension?
If you don’t need treatment, that means you’re now fine which means you’re no longer disabled
Here in Canada even if I didnt need medication, I would still receive disability. My sz diagnosis and subsequent paperwork confirmed it. I had to jump through alot of hoops to get it, and required help from social workers. I have to submit monthly income reports to stay on disability.
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My sz is non drug induced; so I will likely have it for rest of my life. Even though I can go off medication and do well for years; I inevitability have a subsequent psychosis.
I would ask a social worker or non profit mental health organization for advice regarding disability rules in your state/country.
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I think under normal circumstances you would be considered healthy and not get disability, unless you maybe got some irreversible side-effect from the drugs.
idk schizo is life thing, you will be on meds for the rest of your life. its not a bad thing.
You’re very lucky!
Im in canada too on cpp for schizophrenia. So staying on medication is not necessary to continue collecting pension? They wont say your cured and force you to take a job?
most sz’s want off their meds…and most sadly in defeat return to taking them…you just haven’t learned your lesson yet…life is better with meds…it’s up to you to demand meds that don’t give you side effects…
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Maybe i havent learned my lesson yet, or maybe im one of the few who can manage without the medication. Ive always been a bit of a dreamer so time will tell
I would say yes, you still have the illness.its very rare to loose your benefits.
Did you ever stop your meds?
No ive never stopped. Its my dream though
Even if you are off meds you still have the illness. It’s just a period of remission. So you are entitoled to money still.
There is big risks in stopping and the chance that will have no symptoms without meds is 5-8%. I have stopped for 1-2y and ended up in mental hospital and in psychosis attacking my family.
Were you working when you came off . Was your life stress free when you relapsed?
No it wasn’t, it was hell but I was physically more active. I isolated myself from everyone even my family. Now I am able to live with my family.
I was able to work on Abilify but shorterm.
Sounds like medication has been a blessing for you and your family. Thats really great that you you can live with them without problems.
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Its not without problems but smaller problems than without meds. I still have negative symptoms, not sure if its from meds since sz itself can cause negative symptoms.