Facebook smile costs woman her benefits

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

A Canadian woman has learned that Facebook can be a double-edged sword after an insurance company cut her health benefits, claiming she was healthy after seeing pictures of her smiling in a bikini at the beach.

Nathalie Blanchard, 29, took long-term sick leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec, more than a year ago for severe depression.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/22/2749889.htm

[Universal_Soldier]

gotha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

I dont know where to begin with this one. Whilst not the full story has been provided IF an insurance company has gone on a simple photo of a person suffering from mental illness in a smile at a beach then this person should be suing the pants of the insurance company.

Mental illness is not a trivial matter. I know from my own personal experiences that sufferers of chronic depression can and will have days in which they appear to be quiet normal and able to function. Yet the majority of the time they rarely leave the house and require supervision.

I've been out with friends and having a good time. It doesn't mean the depression and anxiety is not there. The last time I went out in Sydney it took me a good 3-4 days to recover mentally before I left the house again, despite having a good time the draining factor is huge both physically and mentally. This is why diagnosis of chronic depression is so difficult, mental health practictioners require diaries and a lot of consultations. You can go to a shrink and be fine. Next visit your wanting to jump infront of a train.

I guess insurance companies would much prefer people like me to simply be locked up in a padded cell and in a ****ing straight jacket.

[Midav]

On the flip side, is she really sick or taking the taxpayer for a ride? Can't tell much from this story.

[junglejim]

What do you get depressed over, min? If you dont mind me asking? Is it just life overall? Sorry i cant imagine what being in a constant state of depression would be like.

[ronnieraygun]

gotha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

svea!
.............

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

I was assaulted a few years ago and left for dead. Developed a history of actual self harm, been admitted to mental health facilities, and since early 2007 basically have been living under a constant state of supervision.

I do and can go out and have a good time. You need to. But it's extremely hard to do so and it's only when I go out to photograph models that I'm in a 100% unsupervised environment. Even then I do let the models know I suffer from health problems and give them the number to call if my health becomes an issue.

I play sport. Excercise helps.

But I can't multi-task, manage my personal affairs properly, rarely sleep. The list is endless really. But if you seen me in the street you would not think anything is wrong. Like this women there is photos of me out and about having a good time with a smile.

But that's generally once in a blue moon. See what I'm saying. Some people can function quiet normally. Others use self harm to cope. Others simply don't leave the house. For many it's a combination of all 3.

[TheKiwi]

Surely something like being bi-polar could explain this. This is asshattery by the insurance company.

[Universal_Soldier]

must be nice....Take insurance money and go on junket with months off from work. what could be better? :)

[digrar]

Yeah, mental illness is a barrel of laughs. :|

[pg_ord]

I was assaulted a few years ago and left for dead. Developed a history of actual self harm, been admitted to mental health facilities, and since early 2007 basically have been living under a constant state of supervision.

I do and can go out and have a good time. You need to. But it's extremely hard to do so and it's only when I go out to photograph models that I'm in a 100% unsupervised environment. Even then I do let the models know I suffer from health problems and give them the number to call if my health becomes an issue.

I play sport. Excercise helps.

But I can't multi-task, manage my personal affairs properly, rarely sleep. The list is endless really. But if you seen me in the street you would not think anything is wrong. Like this women there is photos of me out and about having a good time with a smile.

But that's generally once in a blue moon. See what I'm saying. Some people can function quiet normally. Others use self harm to cope. Others simply don't leave the house. For many it's a combination of all 3.
Been there..... terrible place to be. :-(

[breki]

Thanks for sharing this Min

[dave81]

What kind of models are you photographing?

[tea drinker]

I dont know where to begin with this one. Whilst not the full story has been provided IF an insurance company has gone on a simple photo of a person suffering from mental illness in a smile at a beach then this person should be suing the pants of the insurance company.

Mental illness is not a trivial matter. I know from my own personal experiences that sufferers of chronic depression can and will have days in which they appear to be quiet normal and able to function. Yet the majority of the time they rarely leave the house and require supervision.

I've been out with friends and having a good time. It doesn't mean the depression and anxiety is not there. The last time I went out in Sydney it took me a good 3-4 days to recover mentally before I left the house again, despite having a good time the draining factor is huge both physically and mentally. This is why diagnosis of chronic depression is so difficult, mental health practictioners require diaries and a lot of consultations. You can go to a shrink and be fine. Next visit your wanting to jump infront of a train.

I guess insurance companies would much prefer people like me to simply be locked up in a padded cell and in a ****ing straight jacket.
Good post Min, I mean if there is any time a person will smile it is for a photgraph. Take weddings for example, the poor bridesmaid may be pettrified or sick but she will make damn sure there are no sh1tty photos.
Anyway, maybe someone went to the trouble of taking this girl to the beach or taking her out to cheer her up, she will undoubtedly perform and smile as an appreciation. Even if she is enjoying herself doesn't mean she isn't in dangerous waters. But if I were her I might try for some different chemicals.

Having said that I have seen one or 2 fraudsters in my time, and photgraphic evidence is powerful.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

But how can you use photographic evidence for something that has no physical symptons?

It's not as if a chronic depression sufferer is confined to a wheelchair is it?

[Skutatos]

Im wish Min on this one, I have had clinical depression since I was 10, I went through a serious of traumatic medical issues at the time. It often makes you feel exhausted, even from the time you wake up,occasionally it even causes physical pain. I have trouble leaving the house sometimes, and sometimes Ill be fine, happy even, but then suddenly feel angry, frustrated, sad, etc... It makes maintaining a social life a bit difficult. You need some really good friends, thankfully there are those kinds of people out there.

Depression doesn't always have a external cause though, one shouldn't assume that someone suffering from depression actually had anything happen to them or that they need to just HTFU. The stigma attached to the issue is really quite frustrating, people with depression don't choose to be depressed.

With a good doctor and some good friends life gets much better, but it is always an issue.

[Xaito]

community sites like facebook etc have been in the focus of many organizations - most importantly including employers - to try and get some information about people.
I've read some companies would even dislike the fact that someone even has an account on such pages because they consider the tendency of giving away information for everybody to read as indiscreet.
And I actually agree there - giving away personal information on the internet is an invitation to abuse.

[Mr.K]

Two things that I hate, bloodsucking leeches called "insurance companies"
People that taking exaggerated sick leave because of "depression".
I got a bad grade at school - depression
Boyfriend/Girlfriend left - depression
Neighbor got a nice car - depression
Bored at work - depression


I qualify this as bull****.

Go ask a WW2 vet, if "depression" existed back then.

And that woman wanted to play smartass and show off, "look at me - enjoying insurance money", by showing prictures to her 579 friends who do jobs they hate, or are unemployed,well she got served. I wouldn't be surprised that a "friend" ratted her out.

[Maine Finn]

Go ask a WW2 vet, if "depression" existed back then.

People have no spine these days.

I'd like to see you say that to guys at any of our WTUs.

[happyslapper]

I wish the woman the best of luck in overcoming her illness (this story is no reason to doubt that she is ill).

I think Min gave those unaware of the complexity of mental illness the levelling introduction the issue deserves.

[Nano]

two things that i hate, bloodsucking leeches called "insurance companies"
people that taking exaggerated sick leave because of "depression".
I got a bad grade at school - depression
boyfriend/girlfriend left - depression
neighbor got a nice car - depression
bored at work - depression


i qualify this as bull****.

Go ask a ww2 vet, if "depression" existed back then.

And that woman wanted to play smartass and show off, "look at me - enjoying insurance money", by showing prictures to her 579 friends who do jobs they hate, or are unemployed,well she got served. I wouldn't be surprised that a "friend" ratted her out.
htfu! Ftmfw!

[Xaito]

Two things that I hate, bloodsucking leeches called "insurance companies"
People that taking exaggerated sick leave because of "depression".
I got a bad grade at school - depression
Boyfriend/Girlfriend left - depression
Neighbor got a nice car - depression
Bored at work - depression


I qualify this as bull****.

Go ask a WW2 vet, if "depression" existed back then.

And that woman wanted to play smartass and show off, "look at me - enjoying insurance money", by showing prictures to her 579 friends who do jobs they hate, or are unemployed,well she got served. I wouldn't be surprised that a "friend" ratted her out.

well, I thought about depression similarly to what you display here until I've actually seen people have depression or similar illness caused by stress who definitely were not just lazy emos wanting free holidays.
Not all people can cope with stress equally well.
Obviously these people still can smile and be happy.

[Mr.K]

HTFU! FTMFW!
Damn straight damn people how dare they linger about killing and pillaging for their
motherland./sarcasm


Think you missed my point. Back then , people didn't complain no matter how hard life was. Now every 2nd office worker is "depressed".

[Nano]

Think you missed my point. Back then , people didn't complain no matter how hard life was.
Yeah I understand that should have edited it. Will do otherwise..

[Maine Finn]

Think you missed my point. Back then , people didn't complain no matter how hard life was. Now every 2nd office worker is "depressed".

I think your point was that you were and are making a broad generalization of something you don't appear to understand. 'Not complaining' doesn't mean that somebody is not depressed or otherwise feeling run down.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

Think you missed my point. Back then , people didn't complain no matter how hard life was. Now every 2nd office worker is "depressed".

Back then people like me would have been sent to a mental institution without their permission, given electro shock therapy and in many cases a labatomy

[Indiana Jones]

[...]

I qualify this as bull****.

Go ask a WW2 vet, if "depression" existed back then.

And that woman wanted to play smartass and show off, "look at me - enjoying insurance money", by showing prictures to her 579 friends who do jobs they hate, or are unemployed,well she got served. I wouldn't be surprised that a "friend" ratted her out.
WW2 vets ? I have had interaction with many on a more professional basis, ranging from rear echelon personnel to combat infantrymen; also with numerous civilians, many of which were in one way or another victimised (often raped). There is no uniform pattern, much IMO depends on in what specific fashion an individual has exercised violence or more generally, was confronted with the phenomenon per se, but the percentage of those who show symptoms of clinical depression is very significant.

Originally Posted by Minardiau http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4573629#post4573629)
I was assaulted a few years ago and left for dead. Developed a history of actual self harm, been admitted to mental health facilities, and since early 2007 basically have been living under a constant state of supervision.
May I inquire what precisely happened, and in extension, if you have ever come face to face with one of the perpetrators again?

Cheers,
IJ.

[digrar]

But how can you use photographic evidence for something that has no physical symptons?

It's not as if a chronic depression sufferer is confined to a wheelchair is it?

But you can use it for a back injury or similar, which is what he was probably alluding to. Someone gets caught lifting a fridge on film, it's probably safe to say that their back is good to go for work again.


Think you missed my point. Back then , people didn't complain no matter how hard life was. Now every 2nd office worker is "depressed".

Back then they just drank them selves into an early grave, or bashed their wife and smacked their kids around, or were the angry grumpy old man that no one was game enough to talk to. Untreated PTSD is still PTSD.

[Fargin]

Too little in the article to make an informed judgment of this case. If that's all the insurance company got on her, a few smiling private photos, they have no case against her.

People fighting depression usually muster all their efforts to maintain a functional public appearance, while they at home completely fall apart and are incapable of even the most basic tasks.

[Karaahmetoglu]

Two things that I hate, bloodsucking leeches called "insurance companies"
People that taking exaggerated sick leave because of "depression".
I got a bad grade at school - depression
Boyfriend/Girlfriend left - depression
Neighbor got a nice car - depression
Bored at work - depression


I qualify this as bull****.

Go ask a WW2 vet, if "depression" existed back then.

And that woman wanted to play smartass and show off, "look at me - enjoying insurance money", by showing prictures to her 579 friends who do jobs they hate, or are unemployed,well she got served. I wouldn't be surprised that a "friend" ratted her out.


Are you Putin disguised as a Mp.net'er?

Wow stole the words out of my mouth.

[BorisBC]

People, FB has security settings to block this sort of thing from happening..

But yeah, this is pretty hard core asshattery from the insurance company. I mean, it's frigging photo, who pouts when someone says "smile!!" And if she's got a dozen photos of her being happy, should she post up the hundreds of other photos of her when she is actually depressed?? When you go through this ****, then actually being able to laugh and smile at something is pretty freaking important.

[gaz]

Back then they just drank them selves into an early grave, or bashed their wife and smacked their kids around, or were the angry grumpy old man that no one was game enough to talk to. Untreated PTSD is still PTSD.

And before that in World War One the really unlucky ones were executed for cowardice or desertion.

[Rugal09]

Once it's on the net, your privacy is gone.

[Mr.K]

I think your point was that you were and are making a broad generalization of something you don't appear to understand. 'Not complaining' doesn't mean that somebody is not depressed or otherwise feeling run down.


I had a bad streak, lasted about 2 years, didn't run to the doctor to diagnose me with depression.
Also, if I don't appear to understand, can you please get off your high horse and explain, perhaps i'll benefit from your knowledge.

I agree that you disagree with me when i made reference to people who lived trough war.
but can you disagree with the 2nd part of my argument.


that woman wanted to play smartass and show off, "look at me - enjoying insurance money", by showing pictures to her 579 friends who do jobs they hate, or are unemployed,well she got served. I wouldn't be surprised that a "friend" ratted her out.



Quebec woman's Facebook insurance battle highlights need for online prudence
By Sidhartha Banerjee (CP) – 2 hours ago
MONTREAL — The case of a Quebec woman who says she lost her long-term disability benefits because of photos that appeared on Facebook should serve as a reminder that nothing on the Internet is truly private.
And a technology expert says its a perfect opportunity for people to take stock of their social networking platform profiles and just what about their life is on the net.
The Quebec woman, Nathalie Blanchard, has seen her case gain widespread attention since it came to the attention of local media last week.
Blanchard said an insurance agent told her that the long-term disability cheques were terminated after photos of her on the popular social networking website came to the attention of the insurance company.
Blanchard, 29, has been on leave since Valentine's Day 2008 from her job at IBM in Bromont, Que, battling severe depression.
The company in question, insurance giant Manulife, declined to comment on the case specifically but has said in a statement: "we would not deny or terminate a valid claim solely based on information published on websites such as Facebook."
Blanchard's battle comes as another Facebook-related blunder left the Liberals dealing with controversy on the weekend after Janine Krieber, the wife of former leader Stephane Dion, posted comments of Facebook criticizing current boss Michael Ignatieff.
Carmi Levy, a technology expert says these recent incidents involving Facebook postings should serve as a reminder that nothing is truly private on the net.
"In this day and age, where everyone is a broadcaster through Twitter, Facebook or other social media, it never ceases to amaze me how unaware people are of the implications of something such as a Twitter update or a Facebook update," Levy said in a telephone interview Sunday.
"It should give pause to anyone who uses these services that anything they put online can at some point come back to bite them."
Levy, a London, Ont. based independent technology analyst, said any notion that there is privacy on these types of platforms is laughable.
"I always laugh when people trot out the words private and social media in the same sentence - nothing that you put online is private," Levy said.
"The mere fact that you have subscribed to this service and you are putting any personally identifiable information on it - whether it be text based, photos, video, audio - then you're accepting the potential at some point it will go public."
Blanchard, 29, said in a telephone interview from her home near Montreal on Sunday that she doesn't regret the photos she posted and it was poor form for the insurance company to diagnose her depression as being cured using the photographs.
But she harbours no ill will towards Facebook.
"I'm still on Facebook and I still write on Facebook, I have nothing to hide, nothing at all," Blanchard said.
She also has no issue with the photos allegedly used against her, including ones showing her having a good time at a Chippendales bar show, at her birthday party and on a beach holiday.
"I'm not going to put pictures of myself crying on Facebook," Blanchard said.
"I'm sick and I don't need everyone to know it - people who need to know I'm sick know and the other 500 (friends) I have on Facebook don't need to know I'm suffering from depression."
Her lawyer, Tom Lavin, said a civil suit was filed in Quebec Superior Court on Friday and the next court date in the case is Dec. 8.
He calls the insurance company's actions totally inappropriate and is seeking $275,000 for his client.
The issue of Facebook privacy has taken centre stage in Canada, where the site has been prompted by the federal privacy commissioner to make changes that would better protect privacy for users.
Levy said as social media continues to evolve and become even more popular, people will need to better educated about the risks they're taking.
But the best way to truly remain private?
"Stay off-line completely," Levy says.
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Blanchard, 29, has been on leave since Valentine's Day 2008 from her job at IBM in Bromont, Que, battling severe depression.That's right, she's about to hit 30 (biological clock blues), and no one sent her a "I wuw you" card for this artificial holiday.


"I'm sick and I don't need everyone to know it - people who need to know I'm sick know and the other 500 (friends) I have on Facebook don't need to know I'm suffering from depression."

But everyone in their cubicles, need to know that you're having a good time...

[digrar]

So what, you had the strength to get through your situation and now you're going to look down your nose at any one who can't, even if prehaps they are suffering through something worse? You're quite the man aren't you.

[Mr.K]

So what, you had the strength to get through your situation and now you're going to look down your nose at any one who can't, even if prehaps they are suffering through something worse? You're quite the man aren't you.

I'm looking down on people who like to brag on facebook, and make others ask " why isn't my life as good as this".
Digrar, abusing of insurance is a national sport here in Quebec.

[Virus]

I'm looking down on people who like to brag on facebook.

So if I have a picture of myself smiling on FB, im bragging? wtf I'm an arsehole :(

[Mr.K]

So if I have a picture of myself smiling on FB, im bragging? wtf I'm an arsehole :(

There is smiling and there is the picture of yourself on the beach,or at a strip club to your "friends" who are actually bitter coworkers stuck with their excel charts.
Like i say, if the insurance company got hold of that info, it's because some jealous prick ratted her out. When you have 500 friends, you can be sure your privacy is nonexistent.

I understand that depression is trickier to diagnose. But if you claim insurance because you have a back injury at work, and the next day, there is a picture of you shoveling snow on the ice rink, wouldn't it be correct, to terminate your payments.

If you were depressed,and getting paid insurance for it, would you be smart enough, no publish pictures of yourself while having "super fun happy moments"?

Her story belongs to fmylife.com

[1911-a1]

Feels like this is happening often. People getting fired because of **** they've posted on Facebook.

[Ought Six]

The insurance company did not stumble across her Facebook page by accident. They assign claims adjusters to try and find ways to deny more expensive claims. They found an excuse on her Facebook page and did so. Now the burden is on her to fight to get her bennies back. Some people will fight, most will not; especially people suffering from depression. They are easy targets because they lack motivation (a symptom of the syndrome). So most people are successfully cheated out of their bennies. Win for the insurance company. It is a pure, totally compassionless, morality-free financial equation to them

[Snoshi]

I agree with Mr.K in this case.. I mean every single one gets diagnosed with "depression".. I hate it!

[BorisBC]

I understand that depression is trickier to diagnose. But if you claim insurance because you have a back injury at work, and the next day, there is a picture of you shoveling snow on the ice rink, wouldn't it be correct, to terminate your payments.


Because having a good day where you made it to the beach, doesn't mean you are cured. To put it another way, if someone breaks their leg, goes on compo, then manages to put their weight on it and walk for a couple of steps before falling over, but posts photos of it would you say they are cured and stop their payments?? According to the ABC story, that's what the company has done - looked at her photos and gone "she's fine, stop the payments", which is BS of course.

Besides, even just looking at photos, even of a dude shovelling snow, shouldn't be enough be themselves to stop payments. It should be enough to get the alarm bells ringing though.

Someone here is telling porkie pies though - she says when called up she was told it was because of FB, but the company is saying there is more to it. My bet is they settle and the poor bastard who looked her up on FB gets fired.

[BigDukaroo]

If she's well enough to party and go on a beach holiday then she's well enough to work and to stop receiving free money. The last thing most people want to do when their sick or injured is go somewhere, especially on a holiday.

[DaveDash]

I agree with Mr.K in this case.. I mean every single one gets diagnosed with "depression".. I hate it!

I have an extreme fear of flying and have to fly a lot for work, and the doctor prescribed me Lorazepam which is a very potent anti-anxiety benzo that can also be used to treat depression. This stuff is so strong that certain variants of it can be more difficult to come off than heroine.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, without realising exactly what it did to you, I went out and partied on this stuff. Over the course of 4 days I had about 60mg (you're supposed to take max of 6mg per day).

Being otherwise mentally healthy, apart from some slight party-hard insanity that I tend to have, the sheer amount of lorazepam I consumed put me in a state of depression for around a month. There was one period where I didn't get get out of bed for an entire weekend because "It wasn't worth it".

From this experience, I can assure you, depression is NOT fvcking fun and not to be scoffed at. I really feel for people that suffer from it constantly, having had a taste of it.

Depression is more common than you think, especially after a few years drug use (such as ecstasy and other drugs which effect your serotonin and dopamine levels). Such drug use is waaay more common that most people realise, especially in western societies.

[Elbs]

From this experience, I can assure you, depression is NOT fvcking fun and not to be scoffed at. I really feel for people that suffer from it constantly, having had a taste of it.

x2 it's easy to make light of something one has not experienced personally. I had a close family member who struggled with depression all his life. It destroys lives and families.

[F16]

Too little in the article to make an informed judgment of this case.
I think there is enough in the article.


She told Canadian television that Manulife cited several pictures she had posted on her Facebook page, including some showing her celebrating her birthday, sunbathing and enjoying a male strip-tease show at a Chippendales bar.

If she was on the beach in bikini, we can surely assume she wasn't alone, she must have had some boy-friend, if someone can enjoy the life with the opposite *** while subathing - sure as hell that person isn't depressed. Depressed persons don't go sunbathing, don't make parties, like that girl did, don't invite friends... and they don't go to male strip bars. There is a multiple signs that everything is all right with that woman.

However, I do agree that physical appearances don't indicate if person is healthy or sick, but in this case, insurance company should have file a new independent medical examination, doctors can say if she really is sick (depressed) or she is just pretending and having fun with free money.
I think it's the second.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

I still manage to go out from time to time, have fun and so forth. However once I get home I'm that mentally and physically drained it can take me up to a week before I'm ready to even leave the house again.

I done a photoshoot last Friday. I've left the house twice since then. All I have been wanting to do is basically sleep.

[sepheronx]

I have supervisors and managers looking over our facebook accounts. That is why I don't bother with it. I have it, but just to keep updated on my friends and family, not the other way around.

There are people at work who got rid of it because of fearing for their job.

[zad]

I done a photoshoot last Friday.
Photos or it never happened. p-)

Now being serious, my best friend's mother has been struggling with depression for the last 10 years, she has a lovely and supportive family, good sons and a loving husband, still she is sick. Depresion is a illness not something you chose to have, it take months or years to recover and it is not an easy road. Trade Unions in Canada should be suing that insurance company to hell.

[Nephilim]

If she was on the beach in bikini, we can surely assume she wasn't alone, she must have had some boy-friend, if someone can enjoy the life with the opposite *** while subathing - sure as hell that person isn't depressed. Depressed persons don't go sunbathing, don't make parties, like that girl did, don't invite friends... and they don't go to male strip bars. There is a multiple signs that everything is all right with that woman.

You haven´t dealt much with depressive persons have you?
must have a pretty stereo-typed view of a person suffering depressions.
emo´s anyone?

whatever it is with that woman... shows how much facebook sucks and that the insurance company is occupied with pricks.

[PeterRJG]

I think there is enough in the article.

If she was on the beach in bikini, we can surely assume she wasn't alone, she must have had some boy-friend, if someone can enjoy the life with the opposite *** while subathing - sure as hell that person isn't depressed. Depressed persons don't go sunbathing, don't make parties, like that girl did, don't invite friends... and they don't go to male strip bars. There is a multiple signs that everything is all right with that woman.

However, I do agree that physical appearances don't indicate if person is healthy or sick, but in this case, insurance company should have file a new independent medical examination, doctors can say if she really is sick (depressed) or she is just pretending and having fun with free money.
I think it's the second.

Summary of the above: I have no clue what I'm talking about, but let me wing it anyway. It might fool somebody.

[F16]

I still manage to go out from time to time, have fun and so forth. However once I get home I'm that mentally and physically drained it can take me up to a week before I'm ready to even leave the house again.

I done a photoshoot last Friday. I've left the house twice since then. All I have been wanting to do is basically sleep.


Dear Minardiau, if you manage to go out and take the pleasures life has to offer, you are most certainly improving and progessing, your situation will be better with every day. Try to relocate to another city or even state, if you have enough money, take a long european vacation, go places you never were, even if you don't want and think it's a waste of time and money, along your journey you will meet different people, you will be able to compare your life with the ones of other people and understand that your situation isn't that bad. Just change something in your life, and everything is gonna be just great, believe me.

[F16]

that the insurance company is occupied with pricks.
A lot of people are trying to fool insurance companies, they think it's easy money, that's why insurancies are so suspicious, best of all they should request an independent medical examination of that woman, she isn't the first person pretending ill to get some benefits, doctors have a lot of experience with such sort of people, so they can pretty quickly find out whether she is ill or she just thinks she is a smart girl having lots of fun with free money.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

Dear Minardiau, if you manage to go out and take the pleasures life has to offer, you are most certainly improving and progessing, your situation will be better with every day. Try to relocate to another city or even state, if you have enough money, take a long european vacation, go places you never were, even if you don't want and think it's a waste of time and money, along your journey you will meet different people, you will be able to compare your life with the ones of other people and understand that your situation isn't that bad. Just change something in your life, and everything is gonna be just great, believe me.

Mate you make it sound so easy. If it was that easy trust me I'd be doing it.

[DaveDash]

A lot of people are trying to fool insurance companies, they think it's easy money, that's why insurancies are so suspicious, best of all they should request an independent medical examination of that woman, she isn't the first person pretending ill to get some benefits, doctors have a lot of experience with such sort of people, so they can pretty quickly find out whether she is ill or she just thinks she is a smart girl having lots of fun with free money.

I have a friend that does investigations into work cover claims and so forth. The insurance companies should leave it to these people rather than arbitrary facebook investigations by unqualified people. A picture may say 1000 words but it also lacks context.

[adouglasmhor]

If they are using Facebook stuff as evidence I am in deep schtumm - I have offed 189 people playing Mafia Wars on Facebook, Killed a snitch and robbed the docks several times..

[digrar]

I've passed your details to the Bill, a group of internet nuffies will be deciding your guilt in a poll shortly.

[F16]

Mate you make it sound so easy. If it was that easy trust me I'd be doing it.
Every situation is unique, that's clear, but still it's a lot of ideas to start with. Everybody has something he/she likes, just ask yourself what you are interested in, what you enjoying doing and so on. Try to buy a bicycle and go riding backcountry, you can do it alone, you don't need anybody, go swimming, if you like nature or wilderness, go camping, 3 times a week make some short joggings, eat more chocolate and so on. You can cope with that!

[DaveDash]

Every situation is unique, that's clear, but still it's a lot of ideas to start with. Everybody has something he/she likes, just ask yourself what you are interested in, what you enjoying doing and so on. Try to buy a bicycle and go riding backcountry, you can do it alone, you don't need anybody, go swimming, if you like nature or wilderness, go camping, 3 times a week make some short joggings, eat more chocolate and so on. You can cope with that!

Are you are psychologist? If not, politely fvck off. It's quite belittling to someone to have someone else brush off their trauma as if its just some minor quibble in their life.

[Ivan le Fou]

Mate you make it sound so easy. If it was that easy trust me I'd be doing it.


The kind of thing I used to say when people told me "well, you can walk, so your tumour is not that aggressive/painful/etc... after all".
I am sure most of them wouldn't have done half of the things I used to do at that time.

[eskachig]

Every situation is unique, that's clear, but still it's a lot of ideas to start with. Everybody has something he/she likes, just ask yourself what you are interested in, what you enjoying doing and so on. Try to buy a bicycle and go riding backcountry, you can do it alone, you don't need anybody, go swimming, if you like nature or wilderness, go camping, 3 times a week make some short joggings, eat more chocolate and so on. You can cope with that!Dude seriously, you clearly don't understand the disorder. You can't pretend everything is just fine, even if intellectually you understand perfectly that you are safe and still have amazing opportunities. You have to feel it and humans just don't have the capacity to change their emotions and brain chemistry at will. Therapy and medication may help, but it's a long hard process. Please don't trivialize it. Min, best of luck with your situation.

[Maine Finn]

I had a bad streak, lasted about 2 years, didn't run to the doctor to diagnose me with depression.
Also, if I don't appear to understand, can you please get off your high horse and explain, perhaps i'll benefit from your knowledge.

Two years. That can be an eternity, but you imply you've come out of it. Congratulations. Some people don't, though perhaps not from want of trying. Look no farther than Min, who ought to be respected for his own fortitude.

Now. I'm looking at this both from a personal view and also a professional one. The personal details I'm not about to share here, but from a professional standpoint, I consider it immaterial whether somebody is 'abusing' their claim to mental illness. On my level, it doesn't matter. Somebody comes up to my desk and says, "I'm depressed, etc.," that's what they say is happening with them. I don't care if they're making it up to get out of something, because it's not my place to judge, criticize, or belittle what somebody else may or may not be feeling. My job is to give them the most appropriate care possible on my level before a more qualified person comes in.

It's not about "running to the doctor" to get a diagnosis, in most cases. You'd be surprised how many people legitimately want help. The first place a lot of those folks go is to the nearest doctor's officer or even the ER. To be honest, I would prefer that they go and do that, instead of trying to stick it out and hope it all ends on it's own. I can tell you that something as simply as stepping outside with somebody to have a couple smokes and a chat can go a long way, but that may not have happened if that person hadn't "run to the doctor".

The point being, not everybody can be completely self-reliant when it comes to managing what's going on inside their own heads. I'm not a psychologist and mental health is far from my field, but from direct experience with folks, I've learned a bit about it. It's far too easy to make broad generalizations about something that's going on inside of somebody, because there aren't necessarily any outward physical symptoms.

[Fargin]

Facebook is the virtual equivalent of meeting an old aquintence on the street. The rule goes: protrait happiness, if you don't want them to avoid you next time your paths cross.

So either there's more to the case or this insurance company are some cynical bastards.

[-Julik- 4.GdKp]

lol sh!t happens...

[Mr.K]

Facebook is the virtual equivalent of meeting an old aquintence on the street. The rule goes: protrait happiness, if you don't want them to avoid you next time your paths cross.

So either there's more to the case or this insurance company are some cynical bastards.

This makes no sense, i have to portrait happiness where I see a person that i don't really about, yet i don't want to be avoided by them next time I see them.

So the rule is lying and hypocrisy.

Insurance companies are assholes.

[Mastermind]

Wow...That's pure rot.

As a teen, I went through a long period of total depression. It got so bad, I could not even eat in a public place...at school, I would go to the library at lunch and hide in a book. I could not bring myself to talk to strangers...at all...I was extremely uncomfortable in any public setting. One summer, I never left my room except for bath and to raid the refrigerator...and nearly dropped out of school rather than go out in public again. It took me several years to get completely over it (the military enlistment helped, of course). But, the cure was being basically forced to participate in outings and just get comfortable out with people. I could go out, with small groups, caring friends, and have some fun...a little at a time...but, even after several outings, I was far from cured. If someone had taken pictures, I would have appeared totally as if I was having a grand time.

In my opinion, this gal needs to get an attorney. The ins company is way out of line.

[BigDukaroo]

No one ever defrauds insurance companies, and if they do, the insurance companies deserve it. THEY'RE EVIL. EVERYONE ELSE IS INNOCENT.

[deagle]

well, its one insurance's perspective. and pretty bogus. if she can prove that is was temporary and not against the laws of depression, she should sue. but then the insurance would screw everyone over in rates anyways.

[ting]

Thank you deagle for bringing these curious threads to my attention.
A little update:


Depressed woman fails 1st try to recoup benefits
Last Updated: Friday, December 11, 2009 | 2:47 PM ET Comments388Recommend172

CBC News

A Quebec woman who says her disability pay for depression was cancelled because of her Facebook profile has lost her first bid to have her benefits restored while she battles her insurance company.

Nathalie Blanchard, 29, made headlines around the world when she went public this fall with her fight against Manulife, the insurance company underwriting her long-term disability leave for depression.

Nathalie Blanchard, shown here on a beach holiday during her sick leave. (Facebook)
Blanchard, a Granby resident, took sick leave from her job at IBM last year, after she was diagnosed with major depression. She has since taken different approaches to treat her mood disorder, including prescription medication and therapy. Under doctor's orders, she has also tried to have fun.

Photographs of that fun — a beach holiday last year, a night out on the town with friends — are part of the evidence Manulife used to stop payments this fall. Blanchard said the company told her that based on her Facebook photos, she looked well enough to work.

Manulife stopped paying her sick-leave benefits, and her mortgage company, Desjardins, ended her insurance payments.

While her lawyer, Tom Lavin, presses Manulife, Desjardins and IBM to review the case, Blanchard went to court this week to ask for a temporary reinstatement of her benefits until a final decision is made. The judge who heard her request at the Cowansville courthouse refused.

"I feel tired," Blanchard told CBC News after the hearing Tuesday. She said she is still recovering from depression and has good and bad days.
Hearing sheds light on Manulife's case

Blanchard may not have benefits for the time being, but the court hearing will help her case in the long run, Lavin said.

Lawyers representing IBM and Manulife had to file several documents from their medical experts, who evaluated Blanchard's state of mind prior to her leave.

The documents included a letter from a psychiatrist who first evaluated Blanchard and determined she was too depressed to work.

According to the documents filed in court, the psychiatrist changed his opinion a few months later, Lavin said.

"They alluded to the fact that they had copies of her Facebook account and an investigative report, both of which they submitted to the psychiatrist, and on the basis of which their psychiatrist reversed his decision," he said.

That evidence will help Blanchard build her case over the coming months, Lavin said. But it may take up to a year for her to actually get a trial.

Manulife has refused interview requests about Blanchard's case but told CBC News that it would never base a benefits claim solely on Facebook. IBM has also declined comment.

Apparently the psychiatrist in question used pictures on facebook as a diagnostic tool. rofl Fascinating. I guess standards for psychiatry in Canada are a bit low...

Now there is probably stuff we don't know about here but, a picture takes 1 second to do while the rest of the day is 23:59:59. So I think this "doctor" should read up on diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis he gives his patient.:roll:

Also I suspect this psychiatrist is unaware of the simple fact that depression can often be caused by something internal as well as external. Treatment of the major depression might reveal another issue which might also impair ones daily functioning.

I trust she is under treatment by a different professional than the one who gave her the initial diagnosis. If it is so, the case should be about:

Treating professional who has weekly access to the patient
vs.
"psychiatrist" who bases his "expert" opinion on facebook photos.rofl

hmm who will the court believe rofl

There is also noted "additional documents". Unless they broke into her treating doctors files or have installed hidden cameras at her home they are worthless from a mental health perspective.

The only thing I can think of is that she might have indicated to someone she was "just taking the insurance company for a ride", instead of the more truthful " I'm seriously depressed etc". Most people have problems honestly answering people about their mental health, so this is hardly a smoking gun.

Example:
Q: How are you?
A: A bit psychotic thank you.p-)

Anyway if I were here lawyer I would be looking at serious damage claims from the insurance company.



@Min Keep working towards getting better. Use small steps since time is on your side.

[Telmar]

The insurance company was probably not expecting the media to pick this up.

IMO this woman benefitted indirectly from the health care debate in the US.

[Mr.K]

Update,



Depressed woman fails 1st try to recoup benefits

Last Updated: Friday, December 11, 2009 | 2:47 PM ET Comments388 (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/12/11/quebec-facebook-sick-leave-benefits.html#socialcomments)Recommend172 (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/12/11/quebec-facebook-sick-leave-benefits.html#)

CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html)


A Quebec woman who says her disability pay for depression was cancelled because of her Facebook profile has lost her first bid to have her benefits restored while she battles her insurance company.
Nathalie Blanchard, 29, made headlines around the world when she went public this fall with her fight against Manulife, the insurance company underwriting her long-term disability leave for depression.
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2009/11/19/mtl-nathalieblanchard-1119.jpgNathalie Blanchard, shown here on a beach holiday during her sick leave. (Facebook)Blanchard, a Granby resident, took sick leave from her job at IBM last year, after she was diagnosed with major depression. She has since taken different approaches to treat her mood disorder, including prescription medication and therapy. Under doctor's orders, she has also tried to have fun.
Photographs of that fun — a beach holiday last year, a night out on the town with friends — are part of the evidence Manulife used to stop payments this fall. Blanchard said the company told her that based on her Facebook photos, she looked well enough to work.
Manulife stopped paying her sick-leave benefits, and her mortgage company, Desjardins, ended her insurance payments.
While her lawyer, Tom Lavin, presses Manulife, Desjardins and IBM to review the case, Blanchard went to court this week to ask for a temporary reinstatement of her benefits until a final decision is made. The judge who heard her request at the Cowansville courthouse refused.
"I feel tired," Blanchard told CBC News after the hearing Tuesday. She said she is still recovering from depression and has good and bad days.
Hearing sheds light on Manulife's case

Blanchard may not have benefits for the time being, but the court hearing will help her case in the long run, Lavin said.
Lawyers representing IBM and Manulife had to file several documents from their medical experts, who evaluated Blanchard's state of mind prior to her leave.
The documents included a letter from a psychiatrist who first evaluated Blanchard and determined she was too depressed to work.
According to the documents filed in court, the psychiatrist changed his opinion a few months later, Lavin said.
"They alluded to the fact that they had copies of her Facebook account and an investigative report, both of which they submitted to the psychiatrist, and on the basis of which their psychiatrist reversed his decision," he said.
That evidence will help Blanchard build her case over the coming months, Lavin said. But it may take up to a year for her to actually get a trial.
Manulife has refused interview requests about Blanchard's case but told CBC News that it would never base a benefits claim solely on Facebook. IBM has also declined comment.



http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/12/11/quebec-facebook-sick-leave-benefits.html

[3rdMillhouse]

Makes you think twice before publicizing your life on facebook.

[BMUS]

gotha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!svea!
.............
Haha.

I only think the Swedes get it thou p-)

[Mr.K]

Makes you think twice before publicizing your life on facebook.

Yeah now you have "social media , interwebz security experts" giving the most groundbreaking advice ever : don't put your whole life on the net.