Everybody gets anxious now and then, and even mild anxiety can be frustrating and distracting. Life with an actual anxiety disorder, however, can be downright brutal.
When anxiety is pervasive, it can affect every aspect of your life, including your ability to keep a job. At that point, it may become necessary to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
What are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders are a broad group of mental health conditions. All of them are characterized by excessive worry or fear, and they include things like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, selective mutism and more.
The severity and impact of these disorders on daily functioning can vary widely from person to person – but severe anxiety is regarded as a legitimate disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
What are the challenges to getting SSD or SSI for an anxiety disorder?
To receive SSD or SSI benefits for anxiety, you have to show that your condition is both so severe that it prevents you from earning substantial gainful activity (SGA) and that it has lasted or is expected to last for at least a year.
For many people with anxiety disorders, it is often hardest to prove that the disorder is long-lasting. You generally need to show that you’ve sought treatment for your anxiety and that the treatment, despite your best efforts, has not been effective.
If you have an anxiety disorder, it’s important to understand that your condition can be just as limiting as any physical disability – and Social Security recognizes this as true. Experienced legal guidance can help you get your claim approved.