What Mental Illnesses Qualify For Disability Benefits?

Is a significant mental issue keeping you, or someone you love, from being able to work, function, and enjoy life as you otherwise normally would? If so, you should know first that you aren’t alone. There are many other people just like you who struggle with mental health issues and who need and deserve treatment and help. You should also know that if your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working, you may be entitled to disability benefits.

Often, however, claims for disability benefits based on a mental condition are more complicated than those for physical conditions. That’s why it’s helpful to understand a bit about the law that pertains to these benefits and which conditions may qualify. Let’s take a closer look together.

How Does The SSA Define “Disability”?

The Social Security Administration offers two types of benefits to disabled individuals. These include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Although the requirements for receiving each benefit differ in some respects, both require that an applicant prove two things:

1. The applicant has a qualifying medical disability, and
2. The disability has rendered the applicant unable to work for at least one continuous calendar year or more.

While the second condition is fairly self-explanatory, the first one often raises questions. What types of disabilities qualify? What proof must be submitted? Who makes the determination? These are important questions to ask.

A Closer Look At Mental Disorders

Like physical disabilities, mental disorders can vary significantly in severity. In determining whether a mental condition is a qualifying medical disability, the Social Security Administration will usually consult what is known as the “Blue Book.” This is essentially a list of conditions and their accompanying symptoms that, if proven through sufficient medical evidence, may qualify for disability benefits.

The Blue Book includes a list of eleven different mental disorders that may qualify for benefits:

1. Psychotic Disorders: Disorders in this category may include symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and substantial functional decline. Examples of qualifying conditions include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, among others.
2. Neurocognitive Disorders: These are mental disorders that cause a significant decline in cognitive functioning characterized by memory loss and problems with speech, among other symptoms. Examples include Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.
3. Depressive Disorders: Symptoms of depressive disorders include mood swings, changes in sleep, appetite, and energy, as well as loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. Some examples of depressive disorders include cyclothymic disorder, clinical depression, and bipolar disorder.
4. Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety disorders are often characterized by excessive fear and tension, among other symptoms. Some anxiety disorders include obsessive-compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorders, and social anxiety disorders.
5. Somatic Symptom Disorders: This is a category intended to cover disorders that include actual physical symptoms like pain and fatigue, but which can’t be explained by a particular medical condition or another mental disorder. Illness anxiety disorder is one example.
6. Intellectual Disorders: Intellectual disorders are characterized by subaverage intellectual functioning and lower-than-average IQ. Symptoms might include poor cognitive, conceptual, and social skills, among others.
7. Trauma Disorders: This category includes mental disorders caused by trauma or stress. Some symptoms include sleep problems, flashbacks, and aggression, among others. PTSD is the most common example of a trauma disorder.
8. Neurodevelopmental Disorders: These disorders may begin in childhood but sometimes do not manifest until adulthood. Examples include Tourette’s Syndrome and various learning disorders, among other conditions.
9. Eating Disorders: These conditions are characterized by disordered eating behavior. Examples include bulimia and anorexia, among others.
10. Personality Disorders: This category may include disorders characterized by inflexible, ongoing, and pervasive behavior patterns.
11. Autism Spectrum Disorders: These disorders are characterized by deficits in the development of certain social skills, behavior patterns, and communication skills. Autism and Asperger’s are two examples of spectrum disorders.

If your condition is not listed above, this does not mean that your request for benefits will be automatically denied. It may, however, mean that additional medical evidence will be needed to substantiate a claim for benefits.

It’s also important to understand that even if you have one of the conditions above, you may not automatically be approved for benefits. The process of applying for benefits can be complicated. You’ll need to gather and organize records, complete and submit documentation on time, and ensure you don’t overlook any steps to protect and assert your rights.

For many reasons, this is not a process you’ll want to attempt alone. At Sackett Law, we’re here to help.

Sackett Law – Your Disability Benefits Team

At Sackett Law, we know that living with a disability of any kind, whether physical or mental, is difficult. We know that life can seem overwhelming at times. It can be hard to receive the treatment you need for your condition and focus on self-care while also trying to provide for yourself and those you love. That’s why we’re here to help.

Although we can’t heal your disability, we can provide the expert knowledge and representation you need as you pursue the benefits you deserve. We understand every aspect of the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’ll put that knowledge to work for you. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.