Can I Receive Disability For Stress and Anxiety?

You may be suffering from debilitating anxiety, and be so stressed that you feel you can’t function, but would such emotions ever translate into receiving disability benefits? Whether or not you can receive Social Security disability benefits for stress and anxiety depends on several factors, including the nature of your stress and anxiety, how severe your disorder is, and what you can prove medically.   

Defining the Terms

The Social Security Administration does not have a disability called “stress,” but there are several recognized forms of stress and anxiety that can result in benefits.  These include:

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Panic disorders, when you are suddenly gripped with “terror,” or “panic”
• Phobias, including agoraphobia, which is fear of public spaces

While these are commonly known disorders, you can also file for disability benefits simply based on “stress,” if your case meets Social Security Administration’s threshold for severity.  That is to say, is your stress (or disorder) severe enough to keep you from working at any gainful employment for any sustained length of time?  If so, and if you can prove it, you can be awarded disability benefits. 

Diagnosing the Problem

If you think you are suffering from one of these anxiety disorders, you must be under the care of a licensed psychiatrist.  This psychiatrist will not only be able to help treat your anxiety, s/he will also be able to prescribe the appropriate medications and therapy.  What’s more, a psychiatrist’s reports and records will be a critical portion of your Social Security Disability Claim.  Ideally, you will need to have been under the care of this physician for at least one year, or at very least for three consecutive months.  Less than that, and your disorder is not likely to meet the Social Security Administration’s standards of severity. 

Filing Your Claim

It is not enough to be treated for anxiety disorders, you will need to provide the Social Security Administration with evidence that:

1. Your anxiety or stress disorder has kept you from being able to work at a sufficient level for one year or more, or
2. Because of your disorder you expect you won’t be able to work for that length of time, or
3. Your anxiety is likely to result in death.

Your claim must include specific medical records, and notices from your treating psychiatrist that you are unable to work.  You must also be prepared to undergo an independent mental health evaluation should the Social Security Administration deem it necessary.

Getting Help

A qualified and experienced disability attorney can assist you in filing a claim and in ensuring that the claim is approved by the SSA. It is a good idea to get your attorney involved in the process of applying for disability as early as you can so your lawyer can ensure you follow all the steps necessary and provide all the evidence required for your claim to go through smoothly.