Can You Get Social Security Disability for Anxiety in York, PA?

September 20, 2022 | Social Security Disability

Most people think about physical conditions when they think about Social Security disability benefits. However, an emotional or mental impairment can significantly impact a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living and work. Therefore, many emotional and mental disabilities qualify for Social security disability.

What Is an Anxiety Disorder?

An anxiety disorder can result in severe side effects and symptoms. General anxiety disorders can cause:

Panic attacks
Problems sleeping, including insomnia
Feelings of being on edge
Periods of extreme irritability
Problems controlling thoughts and feelings of worry
Experiencing chronic chest pain, muscle aches, stomach aches, headaches, and other unexplained pain
Become easily fatigued
Having trouble concentrating

Specific anxiety disorders can cause additional symptoms. Some anxiety symptoms can be debilitating. A person may not be able to function sufficiently to hold a job.

A person suffering from an anxiety disorder experiences feelings that are overwhelming. Most people worry about their job, children, and paying bills.

A person with an anxiety order would experience worry and stress to the point that it would be crippling. As a result, they cannot focus on work or activities of daily living. In some cases, an anxiety disorder results in fear and panic to the point that a person cannot leave their room or home.

Should I Seek Medical Treatment for an Anxiety Disorder?

It is essential to seek medical treatment if you experience symptoms of an anxiety disorder. There are several treatments for anxiety, including medication, individual therapy, and group counseling. A doctor might prescribe a combination of treatments to help you with anxiety.

If the anxiety disrupts your daily life and prevents you from working, you need medical documentation if you intend to file for Social Security disability for anxiety.

Some forms of anxiety disorder can be a disability. Social Security defines a disability as a condition that:

Prevents a person from engaging in a substantial gainful activity (work); and,
Is expected to last more than one year; or,
Will result in death.

A disability can be a physical, mental, or emotional condition. The qualification is that the condition is expected to last more than 12 months and prevents you from working to support yourself.

Examples of anxiety disorders that might qualify for SSDI benefits include:

Panic disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Phobias

Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders and document the severity of the disorders. A doctor might note that the disorder limits the person’s ability to work or care for their daily needs.

Determining if anxiety is a disability depends on evaluating whether the person can function sufficiently to work. A person might have an anxiety disorder, but it might not prevent them from working. With treatment, many people can work and care for themselves.

However, if the symptoms of an anxiety disorder are so severe that you cannot work even though you receive treatment, the condition could qualify as a Social Security disability.

These types of cases generally rely on the strength of the medical evidence. Therefore, if you have not seen a doctor, you need to begin treatment now. Your application for disability benefits will be denied if you do not have medical evidence to support your claim.

However, there is other evidence that the Social Security Administration considers. Letters from family members, previous employers, teachers, and others who have witnessed the impact of the anxiety disorder on your daily life can be helpful. These people have witnessed how anxiety disorder prevents you from functioning sufficiently to work.

You should also expect the SSA to send you for an independent examination, or IE. A doctor chosen by the Social Security Administration performs what is supposed to be a neutral evaluation of your condition. For example, the SSA generally chooses a psychiatrist to perform the independent examination for an anxiety disorder case.

If the IE states that you do not have a severe anxiety disorder that would prevent you from working, the SSA will likely deny your claim. However, you can appeal. Many disability claims are denied at the initial application but are approved on appeal.

You can apply for Social Security disability application without hiring a social security disability attorney. However, hiring a York disability lawyer can be beneficial. Attorneys understand the application process, deadlines, requirements, and documentation required for approval.

Anxiety disorders can qualify for Social Security disability benefits. However, these cases are typically more challenging to get approved, so hiring an attorney helps. Also, if you have an anxiety disorder, handling the disability application process yourself could cause additional anxiety and cause your symptoms to worsen.

If you’ve been injured in a social security disability, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:

Harrisburg Law Office
945 East Park Drive, Suite 103 Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640

York Law Office
2550 Kingston Road, Suite 210A York, PA 17401
(717) 995-8998

Wyomissing Law Office
833 N. Park Road, Suite 103, Room A Wyomissing, PA 19610
(717) 388-2325

Chambersburg Law Office
79 St. Paul Drive, Suite 1 Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 388-2378

Carlisle Law Office
354 Alexander Springs Road Carlisle, PA 17015
(717) 995-8732

Carbondale Law Office
30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407
(717) 995-8810

Lancaster Law Office
2173 Embassy Drive, Ste 123, Lancaster Pa 17603
(717) 616-2954

Lebanon Law Office
937 Willow Street, Suite D Lebanon, PA 17042-1140
(717) 995-8963