It is estimated that over 8 million Americans suffer from a disabling mental health condition.

Many individuals pursue Social Security disability as a result of mental illness. However, many Social Security disability claimants make mistakes when filing a claim with a mental health disability as their condition.

 

In this blog, we identify some mistakes individuals make when pursuing disability benefits for mental illness:

1) Not Receiving a formal diagnosis

In order to receive a favorable decision based on a mental health claim or to win a disability case for mental illness, you must first be diagnosed by a medical professional. Although there is still a stigma surrounding mental health,one needs to seek help, and get a professional diagnosis

2) Not Getting Consistent Treatment

Receiving a diagnosis is only step one. You must also seek consistent treatment to prove mental disability. For instance, if you’ve been diagnosed with depression, you need to have additional medical evidence to show that you’re treating the condition.

Examples include attending therapy, taking prescribed medications, seeking alternative treatment like yoga or meditation, or even scheduling follow-up appointments with your doctor.

3) Not including other impairments in your application

Mental health disabilities are serious. However, one condition alone may not be enough for you to receive a favorable decision. Let’s say you have depression, anxiety, and PTSD. You should pursue each of those claims if they

4) Not providing documentation of how your condition affects your ability to work

Simply having a diagnosis of a condition does not necessarily mean that it will keep you from working. For instance, you may have a diagnosis of depression, but it may not impact your job.

Or maybe you’re able to manage your conditions with medication, and it does not impact your job. You need evidence showing how your mental health disability impacts your ability to work.

Did you miss a lot of work because of your psychological impairment? Do you have problems dealing with the public? Are you only able to concentrate for small periods of time? Do you avoid public places? These are just some of the examples of how mental health conditions can impact your job. Getting these issues in your file is best achieved by speaking to your medical health professional and bringing up these issues.

5) Not appealing a denial

It’s no secret that most people get denied mental health disability benefits at least once or twice when pursuing a Social Security claim. There is a good chance your claim will be denied, too.

That does not mean that you should give up, though. We’ve worked with a lot of clients who were denied at least once and eventually received their favorable decision. Don’t give up.

 

If you have any questions, contact The Law Office of Francis R Niper.