Individuals who have anxiety know that this is an often debilitating condition. It’s likely impossible for a person who’s in the midst of an anxiety attack to be able to perform their job duties in an appropriate manner. They may even be unable to handle even the most basic of self-care tasks.
With all of this in mind, it’s easy to assume that gaining approval for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits for anxiety can be a relatively straightforward process — but that’s far from the truth.
What are the challenges to an SSD claim for people with anxiety disorders?
It’s important to note that minor anxiety isn’t going to qualify you for benefits. Instead, the anxiety has to prevent you from being able to earn a living in some way. For example:
- Anxiety attacks cause you to lose your ability to behave in a civil manner. Some people suffer from outbursts as part of an attack. This can make it difficult for you to work with others.
- You have extreme difficulty concentrating when you’re in the midst of an anxiety attack. This could be a safety hazard in some industries.
- Your anxiety attacks happen so frequently that it would make it impossible for you to be a reliable employee at your job.
- You’ve tried to manage the anxiety with the help of a mental health professional but have been unable to find a suitable treatment plan.
If you’re in the midst of a battle for SSDI because you suffer from clinically diagnosed severe anxiety, you should consider working with an attorney who’s familiar with mental health conditions in SSDI. This can help you to reap the benefits of their knowledge, which might help you to feel less stress while you’re going through the process.