Hi everyone

I hope it’s okay to post this here—I’m not looking for pity or anything like that; this isn’t a “feel bad for me” kind of thing. I’m just reaching out because I’m feeling really emotionally drained and worthless lately from my inability to work due to my severe Tourette’s. I’ve got bad motor and verbal tics that make everyday stuff a huge challenge, and honestly, I haven’t been able to hold down much of a job at all because of how intense they are. It’s gotten to the point where even simple things like using the bathroom are affected—my tics interrupt everything, and it’s exhausting. I’m in Oklahoma, US, and I’ve been working on collecting my medical records, especially from my psychologist, to document how Tourette’s impacts my life. I’m wondering if anyone here has experience applying for disability benefits (like SSDI or SSI) for Tourette’s? What steps did you take, and what kind of documentation or doctor’s notes were most helpful? Did records from a psychologist carry a lot of weight? How long did the process take, and any tips on dealing with denials or appeals? I’d really appreciate insights, especially from folks in OK or who’ve dealt with local SSA offices. Thanks in advance for any help. This group has been a lifeline reading others’ stories, so I figured it was worth asking.

Take care,

PS, yes I did use ai to help type this. It’s difficult to type as well as y’all know and understand lol.

Much love,