Social Security Disability for Depression

Depression has become more prevalent in our society than ever. People can get depressed due to losing a family member or a close friend, losing a job or for many other reasons. However, the diagnosis of “clinical depression” is different. 
In clinical depression, the person becomes depressed without any known cause.The level of chemicals inside our brain that are responsible for controlling mood can become imbalanced, resulting in depression. In clinical depression, you feel bad or sad, even if your life is going pretty well. People with clinical depression tend to suffer from more serious symptoms.
Here are some facts we should know about depression;

• Depression can leave any person disabled.
• Depression is one of the significant contributors to disability across the globe.
• It is estimated that almost 300 million people around the world are affected by depression.
• Depression and mood fluctuation are entirely different.
• Depression is more than just prolonged sadness.
• Children can also get depressed.
• Depression is a real illness.
• Depression is a treatable illness.

Depression can be exceedingly difficult to live with, and situations for an unattended depressed person can result in self-harm or even death. 

Social security offices follow a strict procedure in issuing benefits for depression. To seek such benefits, you should have proof of your disability.
Chermol & Fishman can help you with depression and mental disability claims. We have helped a substantial number of people by getting them the best possible benefits for their depression.
Let us provide more details about depression, mental disabilities, and social security benefits.

Is Depression A Disability?

Yes, of course, it is! There is no doubt that depression can result in your being disabled and you can receive social security benefits for this condition. Depression is the second most common medical condition listed on Social Security Disability applications. A depressed person feels sad, hopeless, and inadequate. He/she feels tired and deals with decreased energy levels all the time.
They lose interest in doing almost everything, including interacting with friends, performing in work situations, etc. They feel a lack of motivation and desire to live. Hence, they can become incapable of performing their core work at home as well as at the office.
Forms/Types of Depression include Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, and Manic depression/ Bipolar disorder.
Provided below are some more details about these three types of depression:

• Major Depressive Disorder– Symptoms include a feeling of worthlessness, guilt, sleep deprivation, appetite changes, reduced concentration level, suicidal tendency, constant sadness, fatigue, and other related symptoms every day.
• Dysthymia– It is a mood disorder with symptoms that are similar to Major Depressive Disorder but are generally less severe.
• Manic Depression– In this form of depression, one can see periods of mania and depression. The manic episodes can result in deprived self-esteem, extreme talkativeness, lack of sleep, irritability, racing thoughts, etc. You can also spot their increased participation in risky things like drugs, sex, and alcohol intake. Prolonged manic depression can result in psychotic episodes, hallucinations, and delusions. Many people may have to be hospitalized.

As you can see, depression can lead to severe circumstances. So, you can apply for social security if you are seeking benefits for depression or related ailments. But, to qualify for these benefits, the applicant should meet the criteria listed in the manual from the Social Security Office.

How to Get Disability for Depression?

Disability benefits for depression are possible if you can show proof of serious illness due to depression as defined by the social security office. The social security office has a list of symptoms as well as functional issues. The applicant must be eligible for disability based on their depression. Depression can result due to a wide array of reasons.
These reasons may be known some people, while others may suffer without a known cause. Understanding your eligibility to get depression-related disability benefits can help you evaluate the issues the disorder is causing you. There are specific symptoms that can make you eligible for social security benefits. To qualify for either SSD benefits for depression related ailments, you must show at least five of the below-mentioned symptoms.

• Decreased/ less interest in performing daily activities at home as well as at the office
• Depressed mood 24/7
• Poor appetite or tendency to overeat, resulting in tremendous weight loss or weight gain.
• Insomnia or oversleeping- a condition also known as sleep disturbance.
• Concentration or thinking issues.
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Suicidal tendencies
• Deteriorating physical movement
• Decreasing speech capability, increased physical agitation like hand wringing or pacing.

In order to be eligible for Disability for Depression, apart from the above-mentioned symptoms, you should also meet some functional criteria to prove your inability to earn a living.

When Can You Get Disability for Depression? 

As we mentioned in the above section, if you are suffering from at least five symptoms shown in the list, then you can get benefits for depression. Even if you meet those requirements, there is still a possibility that the Social Security Office will find that your symptoms are not enough to approve your disability benefits.
In such cases, the social security office will try to determine if you get approval through granting a “medical-vocational allowance.” For “medical-vocational allowance,” a Social Security Office near you will consider the extent to which your depression symptoms are affecting your ability to perform some core functions such as:

• Following simple instructions
• Making basic work-related decisions
• Ability to respond to job situations

So, for disability approval in cases of depression and mental illness, the applicant should prove at least two limitations in some specific regions listed below: 

• The inability to understand, remember, learn, judge, make decisions, and apply the right information
• Lack of ability to interact with others
• Lack of personal capability to manage essential life tasks such as cooking, dressing, paying bills, shopping, personal hygiene, etc.
• Inability to concentrate at a normal level

If you are listing any other impairment along with depression, then social security will follow a different way to determine your disability benefits. Listing of physical impairment or any other mental impairment affects the chance of receiving social security benefits.

Depression and Mental Disability Claims

People that are depressed do not realize that they need assistance in becoming rational. People with depression try to hide it from their families, their employers, their doctors, and themselves. They do not want to be viewed as complainers or people who cannot do things that most people can do.
When No One Knows but You
If the depression becomes disabling, things can get worse. Moreover, friends, family members, co-workers, and employers may not be aware of the depth of the problem. Each one of us should observe people around us, and if we see a person showing any of the above symptoms, then we should talk to them or to someone close to them.

Getting Disability Due to Depression
If you have no record of medical treatment, your chances of obtaining disability benefits are very slim. This can make a difficult situation even worse. The reason why social security seeks all documents to prove your disability is because their intention is to ensure that disability benefits only go to those people who genuinely deserve them.
If you wish to apply for disability for depression or any other mental disability issues, the attorneys at the law office of Chermol & Fishman can offer the best help. We encourage our clients to seek medical diagnosis and treatment for their depression.
Hope for Those with Severe Depression
We recognize that it can be challenging to talk to others — even medical professionals. Our attorneys know how to deal with disability for depression cases. It is important for you to know that depression is treatable. Taking regular treatment for depression can be helpful in several ways. It even increases your chance of social security approval.
Appealing a Social Security for Depression Denial
If you have already applied for disability benefits due to depression before and faced a denial, you can appeal.
It happens many times that even if your case is active, you face denial. It can occur if you have not applied for the same property, or there can be a minor error in the supporting documents used to show your depression-related disability. In such cases, it is always better to contact an experienced disability lawyer. The applicants, who have skilled disability attorneys by their side to represent them, get the approval faster than those who attempt to handle the process themselves.
Get Best Legal Help Regarding Disability Approval For Depression!
The Law Offices of Chermol & Fishman is one of the most reputable law firms and they can help you in getting the compensation you deserve for suffering related to depression and other mental disorders. Social Security publishes a few common names of serious illnesses that can qualify for disability benefits.
Our attorneys are well-versed with all necessary and updated information regarding depression and mental disorder claims. To consult a skilled and experienced attorney, contact The Law Firm of Chermol & Fishman. We have been representing people suffering from depression and other kinds of mental disabilities for years. Our attorneys are aware of all the norms related to social security disability approval included in journals of social security about disability approval for such cases. Hence, you are sure to get the best legal help here.

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About the author 

Mr. Chermol is a Founding and Lead Partner at the disability law firm of Chermol & Fishman, LLC. He represents Social Security disability and SSI claimants across the United States both at the administrative level and in federal court

From 1997 until 2007, Mr. Chermol was as an Assistant Regional Counsel for the Social Security Administration’s Office of the General Counsel in Philadelphia.