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Social Security Disability Benefits And Mental Illness

Some illnesses and conditions that render us unable to work aren't as visible as others. While it may be easy to understand that a worker with a back injury or head injury is unable to continue earning his wage, it is harder to understand why a worker struggling with severe depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia is unable to hold down a job and support themselves or their family.

Mental illness can be just as crippling as a physical illness - and many people diagnosed with serious mental disorders cannot continue to work. Ironically, a mental illness often makes applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits even more difficult. Many of those suffering from a mental illness have difficulty completing the application process, and some have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms or describing their own behaviors. In addition, providing the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the appropriate documentation and records of your mental illness is more difficult than with a physical illness - especially considering that many of those suffering from metal issues and disorders do not often get the care that they need.

Finally, it is difficult to prove duration - that your illness will last longer than 12 months - especially when dealing with cases of depression or bipolar disorder that can wax and wane throughout your life.

If you have a mental illness and are seeking social security disability in North Carolina, contacting a specialized North Carolina social security disability lawyer may be vital to your case, especially if you have already applied for benefits and been denied. SSA decision regarding mental health disability benefits can be even more arbitrary than their other decisions - don't get discouraged if you are rejected, get professional help.

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