Applying for Disability Benefits With A Mental Illness
There are many different categories of mental disorders that may qualify for disability benefits. The Social Security Administration maintains a list of the most common mental impairments with criteria for determining when those impairments are to be found disabling.
Some of the most common categories of mental impairments include mood disorders such as:- Major depressive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Persistent depressive disorder
- Depression related to a medical illness
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD
- Obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD
- Social anxiety disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Psychotic disorder due to a medical condition
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD
- Traumatic brain injury or TBI
- Dementia of the Alzheimer type
- Vascular dementia
- Neurological disease due to other medical condition such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinsonian syndrome, and Huntington disease
- Borderline intellectual functioning
- Schizoid personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Dependent personality disorder
- Intermittent explosive disorder
This list contains just some of the mental and cognitive disorders that may qualify a claimant for disability benefits.
Get a Disability Lawyer
Not all of the mental and cognitive disorders that may qualify you for disability are listed here. Because there are so many different types of mental disorder related disability claims, it is important to have a qualified representation to handle your Social Security Disability case.
If you are wondering whether your mental or cognitive diagnosis could qualify you for disability benefits contact our office for a free case evaluation.
American Disability Advocates specializes in the area of Social Security Disability law. With over 20 years of experience working exclusively on Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income cases, we have the experience required to get you the compensation you deserve.
Navigating the claims process can be frustrating and discouraging to claimants, especially claimants suffering from debilitating mental or cognitive illnesses. Losses of intellectual or emotional capacities can make navigating the disability claims process overwhelming and confusing. Our legal team is ready to assist you to file your application for disability benefits online, develop the evidence in your file, and advocate aggressively for you before a Judge.
We offer a FREE case evaluation and can assist claimants at all stages of the claims process whether you have yet to file your initial application or you are waiting to go before an Administrative Law Judge to argue your case.
Making the Case
It is important to show the Social Security Administration that you have a medical diagnosis that could reasonably be expected to produce your symptoms. Disability from psychiatric disorders can be tricky to prove. Some cognitive or brain conditions may be documented on brain imaging, or with neuropsychological testing, or intellectual testing. However, most mental diagnoses are made on the patient’s subjective experience of their symptoms and how those symptoms affect their daily functioning.
You may be asking what mental health symptoms might qualify you for disability benefits. However, there are no specific set of symptoms that will guarantee a claimant an award of disability benefits. Rather the Social Security Administration will evaluate the ways that your mental symptoms interfere with your capacity to function in work and social settings, and in your daily life.
The basic areas of mental functioning that disability adjudicators will consider for claimants with mental diagnoses are:- Your ability to understand, remember, or apply information
- Your ability to interact with others
- Your ability to concentrate, persist at a task, and maintain a consistent pace on a task
- Your ability to adapt and manage yourself
Your medical records are necessary to establish that you have a psychological, cognitive, or mood disorder. Your treatment records with your psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, counselor, or other mental health provider will be critical to document your symptoms, the medications you need, other treatment methods, and the results of treatment.
You then have to show how your symptoms limit your ability to work and function by obtaining a medical source statement from a treating mental health provider such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, therapist, counselor, social worker, or other mental health provider.
Disability adjudicators must carefully consider statements from your treating providers and will weigh the supportability and consistency of that opinion against the other medical evidence in your case.
Stigma
Many claimants who experience mental disorders experience feelings of shame and guilt about their symptoms and limitations. If you or someone close to you is concerned that you may be suffering from a serious mental health condition, make an appointment to see a doctor or mental health professional right away. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, seek emergency treatment immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800)-273-8255 is available 24 hours to provide free and confidential support for people in crisis.
