Severe social anxiety, disability allowance

OpRB

Hi I am 18 years old lad, I have severe social anxiety, panic attacks and depression, i left school at 15 after the junior cert because I literally couldnt cope with people and was feeling suicidal over it. I have been seeing therapists since I was a young child and I also have alot of trauma from my childhood. I have tried working, I got a job in McDonald's but I only lasted 3 months and I kept having panic attacks on the job and I had to run into the bathroom to calm myself down everytime it happened and eventually I couldn't take it anymore and walked out. I don't see how I am ever going to be able to get a job and integrate into society. The only time I feel safe is when I am at home. If I have to go out into a crowded place with people I get really anxious and sometimes I get panic attacks and have to go home. Could I apply for disability allowance under this criteria?? I genuinely am really screwed up mentally and have alot of trauma. I have been seeing therapists for years and I'm on a waiting list to see a therapist at the moment and I am going to go on anti depressant meds soon

ronivek

A lot of people will throw around terms like social anxiety, depression, etc. However it's important that these are diagnoses made after referral by your GP to a mental health clinic or psychiatrist; especially if it is severely impacting your quality of life. In your case it seems clear that it is.

Mental health issues will indeed qualify you for things such as illness benefit and so on; but there are various other criteria which may or may not affect your eligibility. You can have a read through the Citizens Information site to see what is available. Since you're so young and presumably don't have enough PRSI contributions you're probably limited to the Disability Allowance which is also means tested.

I would have had similar issues to you when I was young and one thing I'll say is that being a teenager makes everything more difficult. Try to stay patient and follow your GPs advice as closely as you can; and try not to beat yourself up about school or work too much. You're still so young and you will have plenty of opportunities to finish school or get a degree or apprenticeship or whatever it is you'd like to do in the future.

guitarhappy

ronivek wrote: »

... being a teenager makes everything more difficult.

... try not to beat yourself up about school or work too much. You're still so young and you will have plenty of opportunities to finish school or get a degree or apprenticeship or whatever it is you'd like to do in the future.

This is great advice so I'll just second it and wish you well. Hang in there.