Mental health conversations have increased in recent years and so has the acceptance of mental illness as a legitimate condition that interrupts a person’s ability to work and live a normal life. If you suffer from a certain type or degree of mental health problem and it has interfered with your earning potential, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance.
Anxiety
There are five major types of anxiety disorder that can negatively impact a person’s ability to function in their typical work environment and qualify for SSDI, including:
- Generalized anxiety disorder – Chronic anxiety, tension, and worry, with or without a cause.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) – Having recurrent, obsessive, unwanted thoughts.
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Develops after exposure to trauma.
- Panic disorder – Intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms of fear.
- Social anxiety – The experience of severe stress and anxiety during everyday social situations.
Some anxiety is normal because it helps a person cope with stress, but extreme forms of this mental health condition can negatively impact all aspects of life, especially work.
Depression
Chronic sadness and a negative mood are common symptoms of depression, but so is a loss of interest in activities – even work activities assigned to you in which you may have previously found joy or satisfaction. There is an inability to manage daily activities, from eating to personal hygiene. Some depression is situational, such as after the death of a loved one but, whatever the cause, if the cloud does not lift, it can turn into fatigue, insomnia, difficulty in relationships at home or at work, avoidance, and feelings of suicide.
Schizophrenia
As mental illnesses go, schizophrenia is considered one of the more serious conditions. Even though problems like anxiety and depression are pervasive and affect daily life, the extreme episodes of schizophrenia that sufferers experience make this a health problem that is far more difficult to manage and function with.
People with schizophrenia may hear voices or sounds that are not there or see things that others cannot. These hallucinations make a person seem out of touch with reality, especially if the voices they hear are telling them to make unhealthy choices. Paranoia is another hallmark of schizophrenia. This severe mental condition easily prevents a person from working.
Borderline Personality Disorder
When a person is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), often in childhood or the teen years, it can make it nearly impossible for them to work a normal job. They may exhibit extreme mood swings and anger that make it difficult to work with others, along with paranoia and an inability to trust others. Social detachment is one of the most typical symptoms of BPD, along with difficult making independent decisions. A person with BPD often believe they cannot take care of themselves and often suffer from impulsive behavior and intense emotions.
Mental Health Problems Affect the Ability to Work
Ongoing mental health problems are a disability, and they absolutely impact a person’s ability to work and be successful. Hire a Social Security Disability attorney at Thurswell Law to discuss applying for SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you are struggling with chronic mental health issues. Schedule a consultation by calling (248) 354-2222 today. We do not charge any fees until we win.