Filing For SSDI For Bi-Polar Disorder

Social Security does recognize disabilities arising due to mental affective disorders.  Affective disorders are characterized by disturbance of mood, accompanied by a full or partial manic or depressive syndrome.  “Mood” is going to refer to prolonged emotional states that color the whole psychic life of the person and generally that would include instances of severe depression and/or elation.  BiPolar syndrome must be evidenced by medical evidence establishing a history of episodic periods including the full symptomatic picture of both (a) manic and (b) depressive syndromes.  In addition, there will be a required level of severity concerning the emotional states that must be evidenced to be approved for benefits based on Bi Polar disorder diagnosis. 

Depression Syndrome

Depression syndrome must include at least four of the following symptoms:

• Anhedonia or pervasive loss of interest in all activities
• Appetite disturbance with significant weight gain or weight loss
• Sleep disturbance
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation
• Decreased energy
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Difficulty thinking
• Thoughts of suicide
• Hallucinations, delusions or paranoid thinking

Manic Syndrome

Manic syndrome must be evidenced by at least three of the following:

• Hyperactivity
• Pressure of speech
• Flight of ideas
• Inflated self esteem
• Decreased need for sleep
• Easy distractibility
• Involvement in activities involving pain
• Hallucinations, delusion or paranoid thinking

Alternative Evidence of a Bipolar Mental Disorder

Persons may also evidence their bipolar mental disorder by providing Social Security with:

• A documented history of a chronic bipolar disorder that has continued for at least two years duration or more
• Has caused more than a minimal limitation of ability to do basis work activities
• Resulted in symptoms or signs of the mental disorder that are “currently attenuated by medication or psychosocial support” with repeated episodes of decompression of extended duration
• Or with residual elements of mental disorder processes that result in marginal adjustment to situations where the individual is confronted with even minor increases in mental demands
• Or with a current history of one or more years of an inability to function outside a confined living environment as an inpatient.

Getting Legal Help

If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with a manic-depressive mental disorder, a bi polar disorder, and would like to look into the possibility of receiving disability benefits with a Social Security administration program then it would be important to contact a disability lawyer to discuss the circumstances of the diagnosis and the disabling effects of the illness on the individual’s ability to engage in gainful employment.  An attorney can assist with submitting the application for disability benefits and with collecting the personal and confidential documentation needed to evidence the disorder.