ANXIETY DISORDER AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
ANXIETY DISORDER AND THE INABILITY TO WORK
Anxiety Disorder is a mental condition that can result in being unable to work. If you cannot work for over 12 months due to anxiety, then you may be able to win benefits from the SSA. Having some anxiety is normal. Anxiety is normal because it is a normal coping behavior that helps us deal with stress.
When you suffer from anxiety, the symptoms can have a negative impact on your work and home life. You may not want to leave your home. Likewise, you may not want to see your friends or go to work because it causes too much panic. Sometimes, even thinking about doing these activities can create a panic attack.
Those who live with anxiety know what it is like to experience panic attacks. Sometimes those panic attacks have a trigger, but there may be times when they have no known cause. Many people who live with an anxiety disorder have to deal with feelings of fear and a sense of impending doom. They may have panic attacks on a daily or weekly basis. Additionally, physical symptoms can occur, such as rapid heart rate, muscle tension, nausea, and sweating. A panic attack can also cause chest pain and shortness of breath.
If you have these symptoms, you might have anxiety for which you can be paid benefits. If you can’t work for more than 12 months, apply for SSD and SSI benefits. Most importantly, seek treatment. We can help you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits for your anxiety and depression. However, we can only help you if you are seeing a doctor. In order to win benefits, you must have medical records that support your disability. Contact us today. We have won SSDI and SSI benefits for more than 20,000 clients.
DO YOU HAVE THE SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY DISORDER?
Are you struggling with Generalized Anxiety Disorder? Do you suffer from panic attacks? When you leave the house, do you break out into a cold sweat, panic, and have to come home? These are some of the problems with Anxiety Disorder. It can impair your ability to function in many environments.
Perhaps you are afraid of other people or think they are talking about you. Likewise, you might have a job that requires you to deal with the public. Maybe, you feel that talking to a customer at work will make you panic. Anxiety can impact your ability to work. In fact, you might have left work because you are having a panic attack. If so, you may be able to win Social Security Disability benefits for Anxiety?
People who suffer from Anxiety have an excessive amount of panic. It makes them unable to function in the workplace and stops them from leaving home. Social anxiety can interfere with your ability to perform your job duties. If your anxiety stops you from working, you could have a disabling impairment. You should seek treatment and file a disability claim.
For example, you could get treatment from a counselor or a psychologist. You can also see a nurse practitioner or psychiatrist. Both types of providers can prescribe medication. If you can’t afford private therapy, then there is group therapy. Finally, if you cannot afford therapy, then we have a list of free and low cost health clinics on our website. Choose your state and call the free clinic for mental help:
- CALIFORNIA FREE AND LOW COST CLINICS
- COLORADO FREE AND LOW COST CLINICS
- IDAHO FREE AND LOW COST CLINICS
- NEVADA FREE AND LOW COST HEALTH CLINICS
- UTAH FREE AND LOW COST HEALTH CLINICS
THE DIAGNOSIS OF AN ANXIETY DISORDER
If you have severe anxiety, you should see a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in treating mental health conditions. A psychiatrist can prescribe medications to treat your anxiety. A psychologist is another kind of doctor. They can diagnose anxiety and provide weekly or monthly counseling.
In order to diagnose your anxiety disorder, your psychiatrist or psychologist may:
- Perform a psychological evaluation. This kind of evaluation is done by asking you many questions about your anxiety. The doctor will also ask about your thoughts and behaviors. Also, the doctor will probably ask you about your life and if there have been any recent stresses or significant changes. The doctor will also ask how your anxiety is impacting your life.
- Determine if your symptoms are included in the DSM-5. Many doctors use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose anxiety. The DSM-5 is a book that is published by the American Psychiatric Association. The definitions of mental health conditions are written down in the DSM-5. Sometimes, those definitions change over the years. However, this is the diagnostic criteria that most doctors use.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY DISORDER?
COUNSELING
Counseling, or psychotherapy, means talking to a therapist about your anxiety. Hopefully, working with a counselor will give you skills to deal with panic attacks. Also, talking is helpful in reducing anxiety symptoms. Sometimes, people find that the combination of talk therapy and a low dose of medication, helps them overcome the debilitating symptoms of anxiety.
Another type of therapy that treats anxiety is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is known to be effective for treating anxiety disorders. CBT focuses on teaching you specific skills to improve your anxiety symptoms. Also, it helps you face the events or triggers that cause your anxiety.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
Medications can help relieve anxiety symptoms. Some of the medications that are used for anxiety are also used for Depression. You should ask your doctor to give you the best medications for your medical condition. Also, do not be surprised if you have to try a number of medications to find the right one. This is often the case. However, if you can find the right medication, it will help. Keep this in mind:
- Antidepressants, sometimes used for Depression, can also be used to treat anxiety disorders.
- In some circumstances, your doctor may prescribe medications, such as sedatives. These are also called beta blockers. These medications offer short term relief of anxiety symptoms and are not intended to be taken for a long time.
The treatment you receive for anxiety, from your doctor or counselor, will produce the medical evidence that you need to win benefits. Every time a doctor meets with you they write progress notes. Those progress notes explain your symptoms, your treatment, and how you respond to treatment. Learn more here about the importance of medical records to your case. Medical evidence is the most important evidence you can submit to the SSA. Make sure you are getting and following a treatment plan. Then, make sure the SSA gets your records.
ANXIETY DISORDER AND THE ELEMENTS OF LISTED IMPAIRMENT 12.06
While there are many types of anxiety disorders and symptoms, the SSA has a specific definition for anxiety. The SSA defines anxiety disorder under Listed Impairment 12.06. If you have anxiety, then your medical records will document your symptoms. SSA requires you to have all of following symptoms to meet listing 12.06. The elements of the listing are found below. If you need more information about how to prove the Part B criteria, then read here.
LISTING 12.06 FOR ANXIETY
12.06 Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders satisfied by A and B, or A and C:
- Medical documentation of the requirements of paragraph 1, 2, or 3:
- Anxiety disorder, characterized by three or more of the following;
- Panic disorder or agoraphobia, characterized by one or both:
- Panic attacks followed by a persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences; or
- Disproportionate fear or anxiety about at least two different situations (for example, using public transportation, being in a crowd, being in a line, being outside of your home, being in open spaces).
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder, characterized by one or both:
AND
- Extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning:
OR
- Your mental disorder in this listing category is “serious and persistent;” that is, you have a medically documented history of the existence of the disorder over a period of at least 2 years, and there is evidence of both:
- Medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial supports, or a highly structured setting that is ongoing and that diminishes the symptoms and signs of your mental disorder; and
- Marginal adjustment, that is, you have minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your environment or to demands that are not already part of your daily life.
FIVE TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
While not all of the following anxiety disorders are under listing 12.06, there are other listings for anxiety conditions. For example, PTSD is under listing 12.15. All of these anxiety conditions can impact you in the work environment. The five major types of anxiety disorders are:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is an anxiety disorder with symptoms of chronic anxiety, excessive worry and tension. You experience these symptoms even when there is no reason to for it. - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder where you have recurrent, unwanted thoughts. These thoughts occur obsessively and can result in repetitive behaviors. These behaviors can be things like, for example, washing your hands 40 times a day. Likewise, it could be counting, checking, or cleaning obsessively. Some people count or wash their hands over and over again to decrease their anxiety. However, trying not to do the repeated activities can increase anxiety. - Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is when you experience unexpected episodes of intense fear. These panic events come along with physical symptoms. For example, you may get symptoms such as chest pain, a racing heart, and shortness of breath. You may also experience dizziness or abdominal distress. - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder develops after exposure to a traumatic event. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults and domestic violence. For example, other events may be natural disasters, severe accidents, or military combat. - Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder) Social Phobia is an anxiety disorder where the person has overwhelming anxiety and is overly self-conscious in everyday social situations.
RESOURCES FOR ANXIETY DISORDER
If you need more information about anxiety disorder, here are more resources. Additionally, you may be able to take part in a clinical trial. Also, there are options for finding a counselor and getting mental health treatment. See below:
MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)
(En Español: Medline Plus in Spanish
For information on clinical trials, visit: ClinicalTrials.gov
(En Español: Investigación Clínica)
For more information on conditions that affect mental health, resources, and research, visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications
Science Writing, Press, and Dissemination Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 6200, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: 301-443-4513 or
1-866-615-NIMH (6464) toll-free
TTY: 301-443-8431 or
1-866-415-8051 toll free
Fax: 301-443-4279
Email: nimhinfo@nih.gov
Website: National Institute of Mental Health
Remember, contacting these resources for help with your anxiety will help you deal with your symptoms. Also, these resources can help you build a medical record to support your SSDI and SSI claim.
HOW TO FILE YOUR APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS IF YOU HAVE ANXIETY DISORDER
To file an application for SSDI and SSI benefits, you either call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or file an application online. It is easy to file an online application on the SSA’s website. When you file your SSDI application, make sure you include a good description of your anxiety symptoms. Also, make sure to file your application as soon as possible after you stop working.
Many people think that they can get benefits for all of the years that they have had anxiety. This is not true. SSDI & SSI benefits are tied to the date that you file your application. SSI benefits start on the date of your application. It is possible for SSDI benefits to go back one year prior to the date of application, if you were not working and can prove you could not work. Therefore, if you do not file your application quickly, then you are losing out on benefits. Find out more about past due disability benefits here.
You will also want to write about how your medical condition affects your daily life. For example, anxiety may impair your ability to make decisions, focus, and complete tasks, especially at work.
Make sure that you explain how often you have panic attacks. Write about how long your panic attacks last. If you lost a job due to your panic attacks or other mental symptoms, then tell the SSA. Also, do not forget to discuss other mental symptoms, such as being unable to sleep, chronic fatigue, and thoughts of suicide.
Additionally, if you also have a physical condition that impacts your ability to work, include it on your application. For example, if you have a back impairment, tell the SSA. Don’t focus on one medical condition and exclude the others.
HIRE CANNON DISABILITY LAW TO HELP YOU WIN BENEFITS
The symptoms of an anxiety disorder can be hard to prove. Therefore, many of the Social Security applications based on anxiety are denied after they apply for benefits. In fact, only 30 percent of initial SSD applications are paid without the need for an appeal. The remaining 70 percent of people must go through an appeals process in order to obtain benefits.
The appeals process includes three steps. First, there is the initial application. The second step is the reconsideration level. Finally, the third step is to request a hearing. Find out more about what happens at the hearing here.
You should not go to a hearing without an attorney. At the hearing, the judge is likely to call witnesses to testify. For example, the judge may call a vocational expert or a medical expert. The medical expert is there to testify about your medical records. Likewise, the vocational expert is at the hearing to testify about your past work. Also, the vocational expert will testify about your ability to do other work in the national economy.
In order to win your case, you have to question these experts. This is a job for an attorney. One who has experience in Social Security Disability law. Don’t leave your future to chance. Hire an attorney to help you.
WHAT WE DO TO HELP YOU WIN SSDI BENEFITS FOR ANXIETY DISORDER
You do not need to try to win SSD benefits on your own. Cannon Disability Law can help file your disability application. Also, we can help you file an appeal after every SSA denial. That way, you can focus on your health. Our attorneys and staff can:
- Send you the paperwork you need to become our client
- Help you file your application for SSD and SSI benefits
- Inform the SSA that the SSA should automatically pay your benefits under the Compassionate Allowance Rules
- Request reconsideration if you receive an initial denial from Disability Determination Services
- Help you confirm your attendance at a Consultative Examination
- Request a Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
- Prepare you to be a good witness at your SSA hearing
- Represent you at your hearing and question the vocational and medical witnesses.
- Read more about vocational experts here
- Learn more about medical expert testimony here
- Request review of an unfavorable decision with the Appeals Council
- Request review of an Appeals Council denial in Federal Court
If you file your application for benefits online at Social Security’s website, then you have 6 months to complete the application. Once you submit your application online, the SSA sends you an application summary in the mail. You must sign the summary and mail it back.
Additionally, once you receive a denial from the SSA, you have 60 days to file an appeal. You must meet the time limit set by the SSA. If you do not, then you will have to start the process over again. That means you will lose any benefits you could receive on any prior application.
HIRE CANNON DISABILITY LAW TO HELP YOU WIN DISABILITY BENEFITS
Your OCD case can be hard to prove. Many Social Security Disability applications that are based on OCD are denied after they apply for benefits. In fact, only 30 percent of initial SSD applications are paid without the need for an appeal. The remaining 70 percent of people must go through an appeals process in order to obtain benefits.
The appeals process includes three steps. First, there is the initial application. The second step is the reconsideration step. Finally, the third step is to request a hearing. Find out more about what happens at the hearing here.
You should not go to a hearing without an attorney. At the hearing, the judge is likely to call witnesses to testify. For example, the judge may call a vocational expert (VE) or a medical expert. The medical expert is there to testify about your medical records. Likewise, the VE is at the hearing to testify about your past work. Also, the VE will testify about your ability to do other work in the national economy.
In order to win your case, you have to question these experts. This is a job for an attorney. One who has experience in Social Security Disability law. Don’t leave your future to chance. Hire an attorney to help you.
CONTACT US TODAY & GET MENTAL TREATMENT FOR YOUR ANXIETY DISORDER
If you need help filing for SSDI or SSI benefits, then hire an attorney to help you. At Cannon Disability Law, we help you apply and appeal any SSA denial you receive. You only have 60 days to appeal an SSA denial. So, don’t delay in calling our office. You do not want to miss the appeal 60 day time limit. We can answer your questions over the phone at no cost to you. We will give you advice on how to appeal.
It is always our goal to win benefits for our clients. In order to win your case, you will need mental health treatment. Seek help from a counselor. Also, get mental health treatment from a psychologist. Have your doctor give you medications to treat your condition. If you don’t have health insurance, then go to the free and low cost mental health sources on this website. We have won over $100 million in ongoing and back due SSD benefits for our clients. Put our experience to work for you. Hire the Cannon Disability Law legal team.
You can hire us for no upfront fee. This is a contingency fee. It means we do not charge you an attorney fee until we win your case. If we do not win your case, there is no attorney fee. Therefore, if you don’t win, we don’t get paid. You can find more information about attorney fees in SSDI and SSI cases here.
Most attorneys charge an attorney fee, whether the attorney wins or loses your case. We don’t work like that. You have nothing to lose by hiring us. You only have benefits to gain. Likewise, we offer a free review of your case. Call today. See how our legal experience can help you win your anxiety disorder case.
