Disability benefits for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
People who witness or go through an unbearable event often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is one type of anxiety disorder that originates with experiencing a traumatic or horrifying incident. Several individuals experience such disorders after witnessing a shocking event, which gives rise to helplessness, severe shock, and fear.
Although many overcome a trauma with time and result-driven coping methods, many individuals find it difficult to come out of the shock and suffer from acute mental conditions. Living a normal life becomes a challenge when the symptoms of a post-traumatic stress disorder worsen significantly.
Besides affecting the psychological health conditions, potential symptoms of PTSD also create an intense impact on the physical health of an eyewitness or a survivor who has experienced a severely distressing incident. Social security for PTSD is possible if you can prove your long-term disability is due to PTSD. Submitting all required documents in support for your disability will make your case strong and reduce the chance of facing denials.
What steps should you take?
If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, keep in mind that the worsening of the symptoms can even lead you to commit suicide.
- First and foremost, consulting a professional psychologist is essential to ensure that the increasing PTSD disability symptoms are treated quickly.
- You will have to consistently attend the necessary counselling sessions and take the medications as prescribed by your psychologist or psychiatrist.
- If the symptoms persist and continue to get worse to a point that you lose the ability to function reasonably and perform your job effectively, get in touch with an experienced disability lawyer.
Your lawyer can evaluate your claim and file your application for disability on your behalf. If the SSA understands that the severity of your psychological condition will last for an extended period and could prevent you from doing any work and earning an income, you will receive a medical-vocational allowance and eventually qualify for social security disability benefits for PTSD.
Causes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
People who have gone through an experience that is so traumatic that it causes permanent emotional distress suffer from a condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depending on how severe symptoms of the disorder are, a person with PTSD may be able to qualify for social security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits.
PTSD and disability are directly connected because PTSD symptoms can result in a person becoming disabled. PTSD is a mental illness that is triggered by a traumatic experience. Experiences that commonly trigger PTSD include spending time in a combat zone, experiencing a severe natural disaster or being physically or sexually abused. Treatment for the condition can include therapy and anti-depressant medications.
How does a person with PTSD qualify for disability?
PTSD is considered to be an anxiety disorder for the purposes of the Social Security Administration (SSA). There are two ways for an individual suffering from SSDI to qualify for social security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits.
- SSA Listing Qualification
A person can achieve SSA listing qualification for PTSD by proving that they suffer from regular flashbacks, nightmares or other periods of extreme anxiety that severely limit their ability to lead a normal life. While some people with mild PTSD feel uncomfortable or upset at times, those who qualify for SSDI benefits must experience extreme emotional distress.
Symptoms of PTSD must negatively affect a person’s ability to maintain a professional or social life, and people with PTSD who qualify for Social security disability for PTSD may also experience panic attacks or general anxiety.
- Medical-Vocational Allowance
This qualification method is the alternative to be used if a person does not qualify in accordance with the medical requirements listed above. A person suffering with PTSD will be evaluated to determine if they are unable to work due to an inability to concentrate, severe memory impairment, difficulties with social interactions or an inability to adapt to situations.
Medical-vocational allowance can qualify an individual for SSDI benefits due to PTSD if the cognitive abilities of a person are severely limited by symptoms of PTSD. Stress and pressure that is commonly associated with performing job tasks is taken into consideration when a person is being evaluated, and the fact that these emotional stresses could trigger episodes related to PTSD will be noted. An inability to reasonably function in normal work conditions is the most common way for a person suffering from PTSD to qualify for SSDI benefits.
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