Many Americans struggle with anxiety. While prescription medications can help curtail the effects of this mental health condition, for some, their anxiety is so oppressive that it prevents them from holding a job and functioning normally in society. This isn’t something to be ashamed of.
If you’re in this situation, you have very little control over your condition and its impact on you. So, instead of trying to hide your condition, focus on what you can do to effectively manage it and secure financial stability.
This may include seeking Social Security Disability benefits. If you’re successful here, then you might obtain monthly benefits that provide you with the financial relief needed to meet your daily living needs and secure necessary treatment.
But how does an anxiety sufferer qualify for disability benefits?
To qualify for disability benefits, you have to show that you meet the federal government’s eligibility requirements. When it comes to anxiety, this could include demonstrating some of the following:
- You suffer from anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Your condition has a certain number of several pre-identified characteristics, such as restlessness, irritability, sleep disturbance, disproportional fear, and repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety, to name a few.
- Your condition has limited your ability to utilize certain areas of mental functioning, such as your ability to understand or remember or your ability to interact with others.
- Your medical condition is considered “serious and persistent.”
Gather and present evidence that speaks to your condition’s requirements
The specific requirements that you must meet to obtain disability benefits depends on your specific medical condition. Therefore, it’s best to consult with your attorney to figure out what you need to prove in your case. Then, you can gather evidence and craft persuasive legal arguments that’ll hopefully put you on the path to securing the assistance you need.