Ticket To Work Changed My Life
Driving back from visiting her parents, Northern Indiana resident Lori heard her phone ring. She recognized the number immediately. She pulled off into the parking lot of a small shopping center and answered, Hello?
It was a representative from Employment Options, Loris employment service provider through the Ticket to Work program. The representative was calling to set up a time to help Lori create a path back to work.
Lori was overwhelmed with emotion. But, for the first time in a long time, she didnt have a panic attack. She felt hopeful, strong and ready. However, she still had many concerns about taking the next step.
Does An Anxiety Disorder Qualify Me For Social Security Disability Benefits
Many people suffer from some of the symptoms related to an anxiety disorder. However, most people’sreal question is simple: can you get disability for anxiety and panic attacks? The straightforward answer is yes, but only under certain conditions.
If you experience symptoms that are so severe that your ability to care for yourself or your ability to function at work is severely affected, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits.To be eligible for SSDI benefits or SSI benefits, you must be able to present medical evidence that demonstrates you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, that your anxiety disorder issevere and, as a result of your anxiety disorder, you have been unable to work for at least 12 months or your symptoms are so severe that it is likely that you will not be able to return to work for at least 12 months.
To help the Social Security Administration understand the severity of your Anxiety Disorder, you should secure your treatment records, the results of any psychological and or cognitive testing, a complete list of your medications, and any treatment notes that discuss the severity of your symptoms and how long those symptoms have lasted.
Fact:The Social Security Administration considers anxiety disorders under Section 12.06 of the Blue Book, which covers Mental Disorders.
How Edgar Snyder & Associates Can Help
If you’re unable to work due to your anxiety, chances are you’re frustrated and dealing with financial struggles. You need the help of experts who know the system and have a high track record of winning SSD claim appeals. Here’s what our attorneys and legal staff do to help you:
- Gather medical records and reports
- Gather evidence for your claim
- Gather documents from your Social Security file
- Talk with your doctor about your condition and how affects your ability to work
- Provide advice to you to help you prepare for your Social Security hearing
- And more
Best of all, there’s never a fee unless we get money for you. If we don’t win your appeal, all the time and effort we put into your case costs you nothing.
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Can Depression Get Categorized As A Disability Acquiring Social Security Disability For Anxiety And Depression
Today, you have the chance to get SSDI for acute anxiety and depression, provided you prove you have entirely disabled symptoms. Today, several Americans suffer from anxiety and depression. According to clinical terms, depression is an end-to-end mood disorder that gets accompanied by a complete loss of interest in any professional and personal activities.
And anxiety, which is a side-effect of depression, can best be defined as an inner state where a person feels unpleasant emotions accompanied by nervous behavior. And both depression and anxiety can wreak havoc in a persons life.
Please Answer A Few Questions To Help Us Determine Your Eligibility
Social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is a chronic mental illness where sufferers experience crippling anxiety when faced with every day social interactions. Symptoms include difficulty talking and making eye contact, intense fear of interacting with strangers, and the fear of being embarrassed or judged.
Although many people experience these symptoms from time to time, people with social anxiety disorder suffer them to the extent that their daily work, school, and social routines are disrupted. People with social anxiety disorder also experience physical manifestations such as blushing, sweating, fast heartbeat, confusion, diarrhea, and trembling or shaking. Avoidant personality disorder is very similar to social anxiety, but avoidant personality disorder is characterized not only by extreme social inhibition, but also by feelings of inadequacy and sensitivity to rejection.
Social anxiety disorder and avoidant personality disorder can usually be treated, with varying degrees of success, with a combination of medication and therapy.
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Types Of Anxiety Disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorder:
- Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by at least six months of a more-or-less constant state of tension or worry, not related to any specific event.
- Panic disorder causes repeated, unprovoked attacks of anxiety or terror lasting up to ten minutes.
- Social anxiety disorder involves the fear of being negatively evaluated by others. Phobias are irrational, involuntary, and overwhelming fears that lead a person to avoid common objects, events, or situations, including social situations. In agoraphobia, there is fear of leaving the safety of one’s home.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent, persistent, and intrusive thoughts or impulses that the person may feel can be controlled by performing repetitive behaviors. Although most experts no longer consider OCD as an anxiety disorder, the Social Security Administration still evaluates it under their listing for anxiety disorders.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder . The SSA no longer evaluates PTSD under its listing for anxiety disorders it now has its own disability listing for trauma- and stressor-related disorders.
If Your Application For Ssdi Or Ssi Has Been Denied
If you applied for disability benefits and were denied, do not despair. Most initial applications for SSDI or SSI benefits are denied. The government knows that most people will not appeal.
Our attorneys have helped thousands of clients obtain disability benefits, including success with mental health impairments. We have extensive experience in SSDI and SSI appeals. Let us put our experience to work for you.
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Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder Or Severe Anxiety A Disability
Legally speaking, yes some forms of generalized anxiety disorder can be considered a disability. The law that governs Social Security benefits defines a disability as the “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” In other words, a disability includes mental impairments that make you unable to do your job or find enough employment to support yourself. The impairment must be long-term or potentially fatal.
Generalized anxiety disorder and other forms of severe anxiety are often long-term, can be diagnosed by a doctor, and can limit someone from engaging in substantial gainful activity. As long as your condition meets those requirements, it will considered a disability according to Social Security law.
How Anxiety And Depression Are Evaluated
When you apply for disability benefits for anxiety and depression, Social Security Administration officials will evaluate your mental health by reading and reviewing your medical evidence. With this, they will determine the depth and impact of your mental health disorder.
They will also evaluate the severity of your anxiety and depression and your ability to work . SSA officials will also consider:
- Medical evidence: Including your diagnosis, medications, and treatment plans
- Statements: From friends, family members, colleagues, and clergy who know you and have witnessed your inability to function
SSA officials also rate your mental health using the following five-point system no limitations, mild limitations, moderate limitations, marked limitations, and extreme limitations. A Social Security lawyer can help you understand these ratings and evaluations and where your anxiety and depression fit. They can also help you apply for the benefits your current condition entitles you to, or help you keep fighting if your claim for benefits was denied.
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Our Social Security Attorneys Can Help With Your Claim
All Social Security claims involve what is known as the twelve month durational requirement, meaning the Social Security Administration only makes findings based on limitations caused by impairments which have lasted or are expected to last twelve months or longer. Anxiety can wax and wane. With treatment crippling anxiety can improve to the point of being non-disabling within a year. A Social Security judge will only feel comfortable approving an anxiety case if the claimant has obtained mental health treatment and has still not improved to the point of being able to work. The judge will be interested in the opinion of the treating mental health professional when considering this issue. The strongest case will include an opinion from this professional stating that a patients mental health has improved as much as possible, and the patient is still unable to work. Before making an opinion like this, the mental health professional will need to see a patient put forth a good faith effort in treatment, yet still not experience enough improvement to return to work.
Sometimes I will receive a call from someone who is too anxious to work but not in any mental health treatment. I always tell person needs to seek mental health treatment.
Can I Get Disability For Anxiety
Home//FAQs//Can I Get Disability for Anxiety?
You can get disability for anxiety, but it is not easy.
Yes, you can get disability for anxiety, but doing so is not an easy task. Your anxiety must meet the benchmarks set by the Social Security Administrations Listing of Impairments. The organization uses these criteria to evaluate the severity of physical and mental conditions. Also, you must satisfy other requirements, like being unable to work in a gainful capacity because of your anxiety.
There are two programs overseen by the SSA that provides monthly benefits to people with disabilities: Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income . Each program has different eligibility criteria. It is possible to collect benefits from both programs, but you must apply separately to each one.
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Determining Your Residual Functional Capacity
If the SSA finds that your anxiety disorder is not severe enough to meet listing 12.06, the agency will review the evidence in your file to analyze exactly what limitations you have on your ability to work. The SSA will then give you a “mental residual functional capacity” statement explaining what types of work tasks you can perform and how often. If you have been diagnosed with a panic disorder, for example, you will likely have some problems with concentration. You might have the following RFC: an inability to do complex tasks but you can perform short and simple tasks that can be learned in 30 days or less, no contact with the general public, and only superficial contact with coworkers and supervisors.
To be granted disability benefits, your mental RFC generally must limit you from working any of the jobs you’ve in the past fifteen years and from performing any simple unskilled job in the United States.
Symptoms Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Symptoms of an anxiety disorder can include overwhelming feelings of panic and fear, uncontrollable obsessive thoughts, recurring nightmares, and painful, intrusive memories. Some people also suffer from constant worry, irritability, insomnia, tiredness, difficulty focusing, and constantly being on alert for perceived threats.
While these symptoms may seem obvious to many, not everyone knows that chronic anxiety can lead to physical symptoms as well. Physical symptoms caused by anxiety can include increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, nausea, muscle tension, an easy startle reflex, and other uncomfortable physical reactions.
Anxiety disorder differs from normal feelings of nervousnessthe symptoms of anxiety disorder often occur for no apparent reason and do not go away. Rather than functioning as a call to action, these alarming reactions can make everyday experiences sources of potential terror. If left untreated, anxiety disorders can propel people to take extreme measures to avoid situations that may trigger or worsen their anxiety. Job performance and personal relationships inevitably suffer as a result.
To qualify for disability benefits, you must have a diagnosis of anxiety with at least three of the following symptoms: restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance, and/or becoming easily fatigued. Plus, you must have a loss of abilities .
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What Actually Causes Depression
Research suggests that depression doesnt spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems.
Talk to your doctor concerning the feasible threat of utilizing these medications for your condition. You may require to attempt several various antidepressant medications before locating one that boosts your signs without causing problematic side effects. For standard info about SSRIs, bupropion, and can you collect social security disability for depression various other psychological wellness drugs, go to the NIMH Mental Health Medications page. Additionally, check out the FDA website for the most current information on drugs, adverse effects, and also warnings. Considering that the 1980s, light therapy has actually been an essential for the therapy of SAD.
After You Apply For Benefits
Your claim will be assigned to a specialist for review, and you may be required to attend an interview or even undergo a consultative mental exam with an SSA-approved psychiatrist or psychologist to verify your condition. The process can take several months, but the more evidence and medical documentation you are able to provide, the better your chances of being able to get your claim approved.
Note that the rules regarding disability for children are different for more information, see our article on disability benefits for anxiety in children.
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Applying For Disability Benefits With A Mental Illness
Mental and psychological disabilities are among the conditions that can qualify for benefits from the Social Security Administration . You may qualify with severe depression, bipolar disorder, an anxiety disorder, or another mental illness that prevents you from maintaining gainful employment.
Social Security disability benefits can cover everyday living expenses, medical bills, and other financial obligations. Benefits are paid monthly and can alleviate many of your financial worries, making it possible for you to get by without income from employment.
Consider A Neuropsychological Evaluation
In addition to a personal narrative and supportive reports from your treating doctor, you may consider undergoing a Neuropsychological Evaluation. A neuropsychological evaluation will measure your cognitive deficits.
Neuropsychological testing objectively and scientifically measures how your disability is impacting your cognitive functioning. This includes memory, learning perception, problem solving, speed processing, verbal functioning, and executive functioning, among other things. The evaluation usually also includes IQ testing and screening for any primary or secondary psychological diagnoses. It also will include validity testing to demonstrate the reliability of the test results.
Many conclusions can be drawn from a valid neuropsychological evaluation, including your primary diagnosis, secondary diagnosis , and your deficits in specific areas of cognitive functioning. The results provide the insurance company with strong and objective evidence to demonstrate how and why your anxiety disorder impacts your ability to work.
Your narrative, doctors support, and additional neuropsychological testing will all go a long way in helping to prove your anxiety disorder long term disability claim.
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Get Experienced Ssdi Lawyers To Make Your Claim For Benefits
If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or experience some of the disease symptoms, you might be eligible to receive disability payments. For a proper assessment and presentation of your claim, you should contact our social security law attorneys. The lawyers as Tabak Law LLC work hard every day to get social security benefits for deserving Americans. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Who Suffers From Generalized Anxiety Disorders
While we all worry about the health of their loved ones, how we will pay our bills or other daily problems in our lives, some people who suffer from a generalized anxiety disorder worry excessively about these problems. Individuals suffering from generalized anxiety disorder may become extremely worried about their daily problems, even when others believe that there is little or no reason for them to worry.
Individuals suffering from a generalized anxiety disorder may become so worried and anxious about their daily responsibilities and activities that they become overwhelmed and struggle to get through the day. Sometimes, the worry about daily responsibilities and activities may convince them that their problems will never improve and never get better.
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Do I Need A Disability Lawyer
Working with a qualified disability lawyer from the Disability Advantage Group can give you the best chance of a favorable outcome in your case.
The process of applying for SSI is intricate and nuanced and the SSAs decisions may seem arbitrary. As experienced attorneys, we have been through the process many times and we can put our knowledge and resources to work for you. We offer a free consultation, so call our office today at to set up a time to sit down and discuss your case.