Over the years, the public at large comes to understand more and more about mental health and its importance. This includes acknowledging the impact mental health can have on someone’s ability to work.
These days, benefits are more widely available for workers suffering from anxiety-related issues. But what does Social Security actually cover?
Types of anxiety-based disorders
The Social Security Administration breaks down anxiety disorders eligible for benefits. These disorders fall under the category of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
These disorders, by definition, involve excessive worry, fear and apprehension or avoidance of activities, thoughts, people, objects, places and so on in order to avoid triggering these emotions.
Examples of disorders that fall under this category include panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Potential signs or symptoms
Signs or symptoms of this disorder can include several different things, such as difficulty concentrating or hypervigilance. It can also include muscle tension, restlessness, panic attacks, fatigue, or sleep disturbances. In other words, the impact of these issues can come in both physical and mental formats. This can easily affect a sufferer’s emotional state, as well.
Of course, even if a person has an anxiety disorder that falls under this umbrella, they must still go through the process of applying for benefits. In some cases, SSA will determine that a person does have a disorder that can cripple their ability to work and as such will afford them benefits.
It is important for people in such a situation to consider what they can do to help bolster their arguments when applying for SSD benefits for anxiety or other mental health disorders.
