Ever felt a little down in the dumps? Imagine if you felt that way all of the time: your passion gone, your desires muted, your zest for life whittled away to nothing. People suffering from clinical depression aren’t just having a lot of bad days; their condition is greater than that and is often combined with fatigue, despondency, hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, and a lack of interest in life. In severe cases, people suffering from this crippling condition may be unable to work. However, due to the nature of the condition and the fact that it is not as clear-cut as some physical disorders, many people suffering from depression mistakenly believe that they will not qualify for disability benefits. That isn’t true. So if you are disabled and unable to work due to depression, read on to learn how to get Social Security disability for depression.
How to Get Social Security Disability for Depression
Within the Social Security Administration’s Impairment Listing Manual (also known as the Blue Book), you’ll find that depression best fits under section 12.04, Affective Disorders. An affective disorder is “characterized by a disturbance of mood, accompanied by a full or partial manic or depressive syndrome. Mood refers to a prolonged emotion that colors the whole psychic life; it generally involves either depression or elation.”
To qualify for this disorder, you must satisfy the requirements listed in the Blue Book. You must either (1) meet the requirements for sections A and B or (2) meet the requirements for section C. So before you learn how to get Social Security disability for depression, please read the requirements for this condition:
A. Medically documented persistence, either continuous or intermittent, of depressive syndrome characterized by at least four of the following:
- Anhedonia or pervasive loss of interest in almost all activities
- Appetite disturbance with change in weight
- Sleep disturbance
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Decreased energy
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking
- Thoughts of suicide
- Hallucinations, delusions, or paranoid thinking
B. Resulting in at least 2 of the following:
- Marked restriction of activities of daily living
- Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning
- Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace
- Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration
C. Medically documented history of a chronic affective disorder of at least 2 years’ duration that has caused more than a minimal limitation of ability to do basic work activities, with symptoms or signs currently attenuated by medication or psychosocial support, and one of the following:
- Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration
- A residual disease process that has resulted in marginal adjustment that even a minimal increase in mental demands or change in the environment would be predicted to cause the individual to decompensate
- Current history of 1 or more years’ inability to function outside a highly supportive living arrangement, with an indication of continued need for such an arrangement
If you meet these qualifications, don’t hesitate to learn how to get Social Security disability for depression. However, be prepared for some extra work. You need to prove not only that you suffer from depression, but that your condition is so severe, you can no longer work. This can be challenging because depression is sometimes considered to be a subjective condition (unlike straightforward disabilities like blindness or arthritis).
To prepare the required evidence, you must have a supportive statement from your doctor and/or psychologist. There must be treatment records and consistent, strong evidence. Social Security will also review the therapy and medications you have been prescribed (if you haven’t been prescribed any, they might deem your condition mild).
Learning how to get Social Security disability for depression may require more patience and persistence than other disabilities, so don’t be surprised if you are initially rejected and must appeal. For the best possible chance for success, work with a disability representative. They can help you prepare the right documentation and represent you at any required hearings.
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As you can see, learning how to get Social Security disability for depression requires strong evidence and determination. Please contact the disability representatives at BTS Group, Inc. if you need help with your disability case. To learn more about what we can do for you, give us a call today at 1-866-441-4BTS or click here.