HOW TO GET BENEFITS FOR A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISABILITY

Mental or psychological disabilities include Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, Schitzoaffective disorders, Panic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and many other forms of mental illness.

Social Security pays disability benefits for mental disorders that makes it impossible to work. However, the approach to a psychological disability claim is different than a claim for physical illness.

Some things that I have found to help in mental disability claims include:

1. Try to get seen and treated by a specialist: a psychiatrist, or licensed clinical psychologist is preferred.

2. Consider taking the recommended medications. If you have adverse side effects, ask your doctor to adjust or switch the medication.

3. Be consistent with medical treatment. See your doctor regularly and don't skip appointments.

It is quite often a problem when patients skip a lot of doctor's appointments, go for long periods without taking their prescribed medications, or otherwise become non-compliant with treatment. Unfortunately, non-compliance can be one of the symptoms of mental illness. Try to involve a family member in encouraging and helping with regular medical appointments.

If you can't afford your medications, ask your doctor if there are programs to assist individuals who can't buy their medicines. Your doctor is often the one person who best knows how to get assistance for prescription drugs.

4. Don't depend consultative examination by one of Social Security's doctor to help get you approved. These exams seldom help the claimant and often result in the claim being denied. Build the case on your own doctors, not Social Security's doctors.

What are some symptoms of mental illness that make individuals unable to work?

1. Inability to interact with co-workers, supervisors or the public.

2. Difficulty concentrating and following directions or instructions.

3. The inability to complete tasks on time.

4. Not being able to complete an 8-hour workday or 5-day workweek without interruption by psychological stressors.

5. Excessive absence from work due to severe psychological symptoms or treatments.

One final thought, I find it is a bit more difficult to get mental claims approved. Good medical treatment and documentation is the first step. After that is done, ask your mental health professional to consider completing a "RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY" or "MEDICAL SOURCE STATEMENT" form (available from your attorney or professional advocate).

The Forsythe Firm does help many mentally disabled patients apply for and get Social Security benefits. There is never a fee for our advocacy unless you (A) win your claim, and (B) Recover past due benefits. In that case, the Social Security Administration approves a fee and pays us directly.

If you or a loved one suffers from mental disability, please contact us for a FREE consultation. (256) 799-0297.