Who May Qualify for Social Security Disability on Mental Health Grounds?

 Posted on October 11, 2022 in Social Security Disability Medical Conditions

A mental health condition can have a severe impact on your ability to work and earn enough to support yourself. Many people who struggle with serious mental health disorders find that they are not able to stay in any position for more than a few weeks or maybe months at a time. Mental illness can make it impossible for a person to get out of bed and dressed for work every day, the same way a physical illness can. Psychological disorders can also impact a person’s behavior while they are working, leading to trouble.

Many people with mental health-related disabilities have been dismissed from a number of positions due the clear impact of their mental health on work performance. If you are affected by a mental health condition that affects your ability to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability. An attorney can help you gain a better understanding of who does and does not qualify for this benefit based on their mental health. 

Mental Health Conditions That Are More Likely to Qualify You for SSD

Not all mental health conditions will qualify a person for Social Security Disability. Quite a few people have some type of diagnosed mental illness, like depression, but are able to obtain effective treatment and continue working. In fact, there are plenty of individuals in elite professions who have struggled with their mental health. 

However, severe mental illnesses can make it impossible to keep working steadily. You may qualify for SSD if you have a serious mental illness, such as: 

• Psychotic disorders - Psychotic disorders are, broadly put, conditions that can cause a person to see or hear things that are not there or to believe in delusions that are not true. Schizophrenia is a common example of a psychotic disorder. Other disorders can have psychotic features without escalating into full-blown psychosis. Borderline Personality Disorder and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder may fall into the category of psychotic disorders. 
• Serious mood disorders - Even without psychotic features, mood disorders like depression and Bipolar Disorder can impair a person’s functioning enough to hinder them in the workplace over the long term. Some individuals with mental illnesses like this struggle to function even in basic ways on certain days. 
• Anxiety-based disorders - A large number of people struggle with some form of anxiety, but for some people, anxiety can be extreme or take forms that can prevent a person from entering a career or keeping a job. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety-based disorder that often rises to the level of disability, for example. 

There are many other types of mental illnesses or diseases that can impair cognitive functioning or ability to perform a job-related task reliably. If you are experiencing disability due to a mental illness, it may help to speak with a lawyer who can help determine whether you may qualify for SSD. 

Call an Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer

Pearson Disability Law, LLC is committed to helping those who are experiencing disability due to a psychological disorder. Our compassionate team of Chicago Social Security Disability attorneys will fight to get you the benefits you need. Call 312-999-0999 for a free consultation. 

Source:

https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm