Struggling with a disabling illness or injury can prove to be a life-changing situation. People can experience enormous levels of stress, frustration and fear, whether a condition gets worse over time or comes on suddenly as a result of an accident or other event.
When these conditions are physical, it can be easy to point to what is wrong or identify the cause. However, when a condition is mental, there can be serious complexities in terms of identifying, diagnosing and treating the disorder. While sufferers of mental illnesses can be confronted with numerous medical obstacles, it might be of some comfort to know that they could be eligible to receive financial support through Social Security disability benefits for qualifying mental disorders.
Mental conditions that may be eligible for SSDI coverage are numerous, and the evaluation of such conditions is a complex process. However, in general, the categories of qualifying mental impairments recognized by the Social Security Administration include:
- Organic mental disorders;
- Psychotic disorders (e.g. paranoia, schizophrenia);
- Mood disorders (e.g. depression. bipolar disorder);
- Intellectual disabilities;
- Anxiety-related disorders (e.g. obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias);
- Somatoform disorders (e.g. conversion disorder, hypochondria);
- Personality disorders;
- Substance addiction disorders;
- Autism and other developmental disorders.
Depending on factors such as severity and duration, a person suffering from these and other mental conditions may be unable to complete daily functions, such as caring for themselves and going to work.
Any condition that is severe enough to affect a person’s ability to work, be it physical or mental, likely requires ongoing medical treatment and care, even if the condition can ultimately be cured or managed. This can all prove to be financially overwhelming when the condition makes it impossible to continue working. Getting support by pursuing SSDI benefits can be an effective way of mitigating the financial strain that may only be making a condition more difficult to deal with.
