You may receive disability benefits for either physical or mental medical conditions, but it’s harder to receive benefits for a mental illness than for a physical illness. The symptoms of mental illness are more difficult to diagnose, and the severity of a mental condition is difficult to measure objectively. Social Security disability claims examiners are not doctors, so they may not always understand the limitations that some mental illnesses impose. For instance, some disability examiners do not recognize the cyclical nature of bipolar disorder and manic depression, so they may assume a patient is cured if he or she does not currently display certain symptoms, even when those symptoms are sure to return.
To evaluate a condition, examiners use Social Security’s official listing of impairments, often called the “blue book.” The listings are the medical conditions that Social Security recognizes as inherently disabling; the examiner will determine if an applicant’s symptoms meet the criteria of any specific mental condition in the listings. The mental impairments listed include: schizophrenia, mental retardation, autistic disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders.
You May Still Qualify Even If Your Condition Is Not Listed
Even if your mental health condition is not specifically listed by the Social Security Administration, or does not meet the exact severity requirements of a listing, you may still qualify for disability benefits.
If you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition that prevents you from working, and the condition is expected to last at least 12 months, you may be eligible for benefits.
Mental health conditions can affect your ability to maintain employment just as seriously as physical conditions. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other conditions may qualify if they limit your ability to perform consistent work.
An experienced Social Security disability attorney can help you gather medical records, complete application forms, and prepare for interviews or hearings.
If you are unable to work because of a mental or physical condition, or if you are unsure whether you qualify, speak with an experienced Social Security disability attorney as soon as possible.