When a person applies for social security disability, this does not necessarily mean that the person has a physical ailment. Those who suffer from serious mental illness can also apply for SSDI if it interferes with his or her everyday life and inhibits said person from finding a job. PTSD can be known as a disability.
According to the National Law Review, the ADA does not list medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Instead, there is a definition of disability and criteria that a person must meet to classify as disabled. A person may have a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that limits his or her daily life activities.
Can PTSD cause impairments?
PTSD has a high chance of existing in combination with other mental disorders. Often, those who suffer from PTSD may also have anxiety disorders, personality disorders and other disorders. Patients who suffer from PTSD also have a higher risk of dementia. There is even some evidence that PTSD can result in poor physical health.
What does PTSD look like?
PTSD has several different symptoms. Every case is unique. The SSA describes the symptoms of PTSD as difficulty sleeping, flashbacks, easy to startle, angry outbursts, avoidance of traumatic thoughts. PTSD can interfere with a person’s life. These symptoms may begin as early as three months after a traumatic event or might show up years later. The symptoms can intensify when responding to reminders of the event, when dealing with stressors or other events. PTSD can last for years or for the rest of a person’s life.
