There seems to be a perception that a disability is something that has to be seen otherwise maybe it is not a disability at all. Certain types of physical disabilities are easy to see, such as a person in a wheelchair who is unable to walk, a person who needs a device such as a walker or cane to get around or even an amputee. These are examples of physical disabilities that can be visualized, but many times a person may have a physical disability that cannot be seen by the naked eye and this applies even more so to mental health disabilities.
May is Mental Health Month, so there is no better time to discus Social Security disability for those who are suffering from a mental illness. There are millions of Americans who suffer from a mental health illness and some of these people have conditions so severe they are unable to maintain fulltime work due to the condition. These people are entitled to Social Security disability benefits if medical evidence supports the fact that they cannot function in a fulltime working environment.
Social Security has an entire section of its Listing Of Impairments dedicated to mental disorders. These mental health disorders range from cognitive impairments such as intellectual disabilities to organic and affective disorders. As is the case with pretty much all of Social Security’s rules related to disability benefits, it’s not necessarily the diagnosis of a condition, but how the diagnosis impacts the functionality of the individual that really matters. Among Social Security’s Listing Of Impairments are guidelines on how severe symptoms are and necessary criteria needed to prove a disability related to mental health according to Social Security’s rules.
To take a closer look at how Social Security defines mental health disabilities click here.
