SSA MENTAL EXAM: HOW TO DESCRIBE DEPRESSION

WHY THE SSA MENTAL EXAM MATTERS FOR DEPRESSION CLAIMS

If you have a Social Security disability claim based on depression, then the SSA mental exam plays a key role in your case. The SSA calls the psychological exam a Consultative Exam. If you allege a mental condition when you file your application for disability benefits, then there is a good chance they will send you to an exam with a psychologist.

The SSA will send you a letter with the time, date , and address of the mental exam. You need to confirm that you will go to the exam by calling them and letting them know. If you can’t attend the exam at that time, then make sure to call and change the date of the appointment.

The mental exam gives the SSA a direct look at how your depression affects your daily life. It is not just about whether you have a diagnosis, but about how your condition limits what you can do at work. The doctor looks at how you think, speak, remember, and respond during the appointment. They also look at how your symptoms affect basic tasks and your ability to function. This means your answers matter because they help shape how the SSA understands your depression symptoms.

In many cases, the SSA uses the results of the mental exam when there is not enough recent medical evidence. That makes your input during the exam very important. When you understand the purpose of the mental exam, you can approach it with a focus on showing how your depression affects you.

THE GOAL IS TO BE HONEST AND SPECIFIC AT THE MENTAL EXAM

A common concern that most clients have is knowing what to say at the mental exam about your symptoms. You may feel pressure to give the “right” answer. But, there is no script you need to follow. The goal is to give honest and clear information about what you experience on a daily basis. Keeping in mind that the point of the exam is to describe the symptoms of depression that interfere with your ability to work.

If your answers are too short or too general, then the doctor may not fully understand your depression. Saying that you feel depressed does not explain how your day actually looks. You need to give details that show what your symptoms are like in real life.

Being specific helps the doctor see the full picture. When you explain what your symptoms are like during a normal day, then your answers are credible. Clear and honest answers help build a record that reflects your real limits. For example, if you have fatigue, then tell the doctor that you lay down from the hours of two to four every day. This is a better answer than saying, “I am really tired.” If you use numbers and examples, then the doctor gets a clear picture of how your symptoms impact your ability to work.

WHAT DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IS THE SSA LOOKING FOR?

At the mental exam, the doctor is going to ask you if you have specific mental symptoms. The first symptoms the doctor will ask about are these:

• Depressed mood
• Diminished interest in almost all activities
• Appetite disturbance with change in weight
• Sleep trouble
• Observable psychomotor agitation or retardation
• Decreased energy
• Feelings of guilt or feeling worthless
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking
• Thoughts of death or suicide

These symptoms are from SSA’s Blue Book under listing 12.04 for Depression. If you do not have at least five of these symptoms, then you don’t have severe depression for which the SSA will pay benefits.

Next, the doctor will try to determine how severe your symptoms are by asking you about four areas of function. These are:

• Understanding, remember and applying information
• Interacting with others
• Concentration, persistence and pace
• Adapting and managing oneself

These four areas of function determine whether or not you have disabling depression. For example, if you cannot remember instructions, you can’t work. All jobs require you to remember instructions. Likewise, if you cannot interact with others due to social anxiety, then you cannot have conversations or handle conflict. These are necessary skills in the workplace.  Think about these categories. Write your answers down. For example, were you too slow at work? Then give an example like this:  “I was supposed to call 20 people an hour, but I only called 10. I wasn’t able to keep up with production like the other workers. That is why I got fired.” If you are ready with real examples, then it will help your case.

HOW TO DESCRIBE YOUR DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS CLEARLY

When you talk about depression, it helps to explain how often your symptoms happen and how they impact you. Instead of saying you feel bad, explain how many days each week you struggle with symptoms like crying spells or memory problems. You can also describe how often you have panic attacks and how long the panic attacks last. For example, instead of saying “I have anxiety,” do this instead. “I have panic attacks three times a week. The panic attack lasts for 20 minutes. I have to take medication and lay down for two hours to get the panic attack to go away.”

Can you see that giving that example and using numbers tells the doctor that three times a week you are going to require two hours to deal with panic attacks. Therefore, six hours a week out of 40 hours, you will be unable to work. Saying “I have anxiety,” doesn’t really help your case. But being specific about your symptoms does help your case.

Your daily life is one of the most important parts of the mental exam. Depression often affects simple tasks like getting out of bed, showering, or preparing food. When you explain these struggles, you give the doctor a clear view of how you can’t function at home. If you don’t shower regularly or get up on time, then you can’t work. Employers require you to be on time and come to work showered and in clean clothes.

DO NOT MINIMIZE WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH

Many people downplay their symptoms at the mental exam without realizing it. You may feel embarrassed about your symptoms. Or, you may want to talk about how you push through your struggles. Don’t. This can lead you to give answers that do not fully reflect your severe depression.

If you say you are doing fine when you are not, then the doctor may assume your symptoms are mild. That can hurt your claim because the record will not match your actual experience. It is important to explain how you feel, even when it is uncomfortable.

It is also important to talk about focus, memory, and motivation. You may find it hard to finish tasks or stay on track during a conversation. You may start something and then stop because you lose energy or interest. This shows how depression affects your ability to function. Be ready with examples of your memory problems. For example, you could describe how you stopped paying the bills because you would forget to do it. Or, you could state that you forget to pick up the kids from school.

Being honest about your hardest days gives a clear picture of your condition. You do not need to hold back or try to appear strong. The exam is a place where accuracy matters. True examples of your depression symptoms supports your claim for disability benefits.

BE READY TO TALK ABOUT WORK LIMITATIONS AT THE MENTAL EXAM

The SSA focuses on how your condition affects your ability to work. This means you should be ready to explain how depression impacts your ability to do job tasks. Even if you are not working, you can describe what happens when you try to work.

For example, depression makes it hard to stay focused for a full day. You may struggle to keep up with tasks or follow instructions from your boss. Additionally, you may have trouble interacting with other workers or handling stress in a work setting. Don’t just tell the doctor, “I can’t handle stress.” Instead, give a real example:  when my boss asked me to hand in a report, I burst into tears, had a panic attack and had to leave work. That is a real example of not being able to handle stress and failing to follow instructions.

When you connect your symptoms to work limits, then your answers prove your case. Statements like, “I can’t do it” are not helpful. Instead, you need to explain WHY you can’t do a task. For example, I can’t get to work on time because my medications make me so tired I can’t get up. Or, I was fired from my last job because I couldn’t remember work procedures. The doctor needs to understand not just how you feel, but what you can and cannot do. Clear examples help show why your depression impacts your ability to work at any job.

WHAT TO SAY IF YOU HAVE GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS

Depression does not look the same every day. You may have days where you feel somewhat stable, followed by days where you feel terrible. On those days you may have panic attacks and crying spells. Additionally, you may yell at your family members or refuse to talk to your friends or even answer the phone. It is important to explain this pattern to the doctor during your mental exam.

If you only talk about your better days, then the doctor may think your condition is not severe. If you only talk about your hardest days without context, then your answers may seem exaggerated. You should explain how often each type of day happens.

Describing this pattern gives a balanced view of your depression. You can explain, on average, how many days a week you have severe depression and what those days look like. This will help the doctor understand the full impact of your depression on your ability to work.

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID AT THE SSA MENTAL EXAM

One common mistake is giving very short answers. When you respond with just a few words, the doctor does not get enough detail. This can lead to a written report that doesn’t explain your condition. You are there to explain how your depression impacts you on a daily basis. It is highly unlikely that the doctor has read your records. So, it is up to you to explain your symptoms.

Another mistake is guessing or rushing through your answers. If you are unsure about something, it is better to take a moment and think. Careful answers are always stronger than quick ones that lack detail. Additionally, if you don’t understand a question, then ask the doctor to repeat it. Don’t make up an answer if you don’t understand the question.

Some people try to make their symptoms sound better or worse than they are. Both can hurt your credibility. The best approach is to stay honest and consistent so your answers reflect your real experience.

DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR YOUR MENTAL EXAM?

One important thing to know is you do not have to pay for the mental exam or any other exam that the SSA asks you to do. You will not have to pay any money to the doctor. Instead, the SSA who pays the doctor. The doctor will provide a written report about your mental health. The report will include direct quotes from what you say at the exam.  Also, the report will describe what you are wearing and how you appear. For example, is your hair messy? Are your clothes dirty? Do your clothes have holes in them? The doctor will describe your appearance no matter what it is.

Next, the doctor might discuss how you got to the exam. Did you drive yourself or walk? Or, did you take a bus? Did your spouse drive you to the exam? Why is this important?

It is important because if you can drive yourself to the mental exam, then that is evidence you can drive yourself to work. If you can take a bus, then that is evidence that you can figure out a bus schedule. If you need a family member to drive you to the mental exam, then maybe driving instructions confuse you. Or, maybe your medications make you dizzy so it isn’t safe to drive. These are facts that you could explain to the doctor.

IMPORTANT TIP:  THINK IN TERMS OF REAL LIFE EXAMPLES

Real life examples help the doctor understand your condition in a clear way. Instead of speaking in general terms, you can describe specific situations. This makes your answers easier to follow and trust.

You can explain what happens when you try to complete a simple task at home. You can describe how long it takes, what problems come up, and why you struggle. These details show how depression affects your daily routine. Let’s use the example of loading the dishwasher. Maybe you start the task but don’t finish it and your spouse complains that you never finish the dishes. Perhaps your spouse has to call you every day from work to remind you to pick up the kids from school. Similarly, maybe your memory problems are so severe that you get lost driving to the doctor, even though you have been there many times before.

When you use real examples, the doctor knows you are telling the truth. The doctor can see how your symptoms affect your life in a practical way. This helps create a record that reflects why you cannot work. It also helps the SSA award your benefits.

HIRE THE BEST SSD LAW FIRM TO HELP YOU WIN BENEFITS

Your SSA mental exam is a crucial part of your disability claim for depression. The way you describe your symptoms can shape how your depression is understood. When you talk about your symptoms in an honest, specific, and clear manner, then you give yourself the best chance of winning disability benefits.

Depression affects each person in a different way, but the key is to explain how it affects you. Your daily struggles, your limits, and your experiences all matter. When you share them openly, your answers carry real value. You should also explain your symptoms in the same way to your treating doctor. Then, the progress notes from your doctor will support your statements.

In the past 30 years, we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI cases for our clients. Our lawyers and staff can help you apply for benefits using the SSA’s website. Likewise, if you need to file an appeal, then we can help you do that too. There are also many forms you will need to fill out. If you have questions about these forms, then we will answer them. You can learn about SSA’s appeal forms. Call us today.

We have won over $100 million in ongoing and past due SSD benefits for our clients. Also, we represent clients in many states, including Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Idaho. Find out about Nevada SSDI and SSI benefits. Learn about Utah SSD benefits and California SSD benefits. Also, review Colorado SSD benefits information. No matter where you live, we want to be your legal team and prepare you for your mental exam.