Many people do not realize that psychological disabilities can be just as disabling as any illness or physical injury. Not only can it severely impair a person’s ability to work or perform daily tasks, it can also potentially qualify them for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Here are seven psychological disabilities that may qualify you for SSDI or SSI benefits:
- Mood disorders
- One of the more common types of psychological disabilities are mood disorders, which are psychological conditions that affect someone’s ability to regulate their emotions. This includes major depression, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia.
- Anxiety disorders
- Anxiety disorders are surprisingly common, and include any disorder that causes intense, irrational anxiety. This includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias (such as agoraphobia or claustrophobia).
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- OCD is a disability that is characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) as well as a need to perform ritualized behavior (compulsions) that can take up an hour or more of a person’s day. In some cases, OCD can be debilitating, preventing someone from being able to take care of themselves.
- Developmental disorders
- Developmental disorders are neurological or psychological disabilities that affect a person’s development from an early age, potentially impairing their ability to speak, learn, or remember certain things. These may include cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders are a type of psychological disability that can negatively affect a person’s ability to understand social cues, impairs the ability to learn speech, and cause sensitivity to intense stimuli (such as bright lights or loud noises). These include Asperger’s syndrome, Rett syndrome, and PDD-NOS.
- Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
- One of the more debilitating types of psychological disabilities are psychotic disorders, which are psychological disabilities that cause someone to suffer from intense delusions or hallucinations. These include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and postpartum psychosis.
- Post–traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- PTSD is a psychological disability that results from someone suffering or witnessing a life-threatening event. This is most commonly associated with soldiers who experienced active combat, but also includes survivors of natural disasters or animal attacks, as well as victims of violent crime or sexual assault.
If you or a loved one need assistance applying for SSDI or SSI benefits, it is important that you seek the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability benefits lawyer. The lawyers at Sullivan & Kehoe, LLP have over 50 years of combined experience between its attorneys and are available to you or your loved one in obtaining Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits. To schedule a consultation with our New York Social Security Disability benefits lawyers, call (631) 823-7155.
