Susan’s friends called her a “worrywart” because she always seemed worried about something. In time, she started having trouble sleeping, which lead to difficulty concentrating on tasks at work. No longer able to work, she sought medical help and learned she had several anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Next, Susan needed to find out if she could qualify for SSDI. Whether she qualifies depends on several factors.
Types of Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
These mental disorders are aptly named. An anxiety disorder might show up as excessive anxiety, worry, and fear, or avoiding objects, places, activities, or people. Other symptoms include restlessness, hyper-vigilance, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, panic attacks, fatigue, and thoughts and fears about safety. Someone with an anxiety disorder may complain about frequent physical problems or have obsessions and compulsions. It’s the last two problems that often lead to a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorders.
In fact, specific types of anxiety disorders include social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Qualifying for SSDI in General
You must meet the following requirements to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits:
- You must have earned enough work credits; and
- Your condition must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability.
The SSA will ask questions and review your medical records while processing your application for SSDI benefits.
How to Qualify for SSDI for a Mental Disorder
Make sure that you apply for SSDI as soon as you become unable to work. Complete your application and provide all supporting documents. The SSA will look for the following before deciding you are disabled:
- Medical evidence that you have three or more of the common symptoms of anxiety disorder;
- Extreme limitation of at least one, or limitation of two, of your ability to:
- Understand, remember, or apply information
- Interact with others, at work or socially;
- Concentrate and persist at an activity;
- Adapt to changing situations or manage your reactions to changes.
Are you unable to work because of symptoms related to anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders? You may be eligible for SSDI.
A Disability Attorney Can Help Every Step of the Way
For a free consultation with an experienced Social Security attorney, consult with an attorney at The Law Offices of Martin Taller. Call us at 714-385-8100. We assist clients through Southern California from our home office in Anaheim.
