Have You Been Denied Disability For A Mental Illness?

Mental health can have a huge physical and emotional impact on our lives. When you have to cope with a mental health disorder, performing simple daily activities from a social, working and functioning standpoint can feel incredibly challenging. Filing for social security disability benefits can also feel incredibly difficult or discouraging, especially when a claim gets denied.

Whether you’re attempting to file for the first time or file again, here are a few things you need to know about the Social Security Administration guidelines for mental health disorders.

Categories of Mental Health Disorders

The Social Security Administration’s Blue Book has identified 11 categories of mental disorders that can qualify someone for disability benefits. Those include:

1. Autism spectrum disorders
2. Neurodevelopmental disabilities
3. Eating disorders
4. Trauma-related disorders
5. Schizophrenia
6. Somatic symptom disorders
7. Personality and impulse-control disorders
8. Intellectual disabilities
9. Anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other panic disorders
10. Dementia and other neurocognitive disorders
11. Depression and bipolar-related disorders

What Evidence Do I Need To Gather For My Claim?

Regardless of the mental disorder category your condition falls under, it’s important to have an active record of receiving treatment. Despite all of the stress that is faced during the application process, this can only help your case because it shows you are proactively trying to manage your condition.

For medical evidence, you need to provide an official diagnosis along with a history of your disorder from a physician. Those components are the major keys to getting your claim approved. Testimonials from acquaintances, family members and previous employers can also be helpful as you build your case.

To better illustrate what medical evidence could be gathered, we’ve provided an example below that shows how an individual could receive long term disability for depression and anxiety:

The first and most important pieces of medical evidence for a claimant facing depression and anxiety should include a diagnosis from a physician as well as proof of treatment. Other examples of medical evidence could include inpatient stays at a behavioral health facility, outpatient care by working with a therapist and psychologist, and medications taken to help manage their depression or anxiety disorder. Testimonials from previous employers or caregivers that describe the claimant’s inability to function personally or professionally would also be relevant to evidence of this claim.

Upon filing this evidence in court, the individual would have to wait for weeks to hear a final decision from the court. Going through the disability claims process alone can be incredibly stressful for those facing depression, anxiety or another type of mental health disorder.

Fortunately, that’s where a disability lawyer can step in and offer relief by fighting for you.

Our Disability Lawyers In Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake

Rather than filing for disability on your own, our team can save you from the stress of this process by handling the hard work for you. Hire one of the top social security disability attorneys in Virginia. Our team at O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group works efficiently and diligently to make sure your needs are met as we fight for your claim.

Let’s get you the benefits you rightfully deserve. Contact us today for a free case consultation.