Anxiety disorders may include conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety, phobias and other forms of social anxiety issues, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Anxiety disorders are generally recognized as the most common class of mental health issue that Americans suffer. Some estimate that the number of adults in the United States who suffer from anxiety disorders reach as high as 40 million people per year. Notably, the CDC says that people in developed countries are more likely to suffer from some form of anxiety disorder.
These mental health conditions may not be easily recognized. Naturally, the range in severity of anxiety disorders may be vast. The Social Security Administration recognizes that in some cases, an anxiety disorder may become debilitating for a person suffering from the mental health condition. In the more severe cases, a person may not be able to continue to work.
San Diego area residents who suffer from documented anxiety disorders that have lasted, or are expected to last for a year or more, and who can longer work due to the issue, may qualify for benefits under the Social Security disability insurance program. But as the conditions may be hard to recognize in the first-place, the requirements for showing eligibility under the SSA rules can be cumbersome.
We have discussed that many applications for SSDI benefits (or Supplemental Security Income for people who suffer a disability and have few assets) are denied at various stages of the eligibility determination process. Disabled workers in California may seek advice and assistance from legal counsel when seeking an SSDI claim.
Source: Naperville Sun, “Parenting Matters: Anxiety disorders most common mental health problem,” Amit ThakerLinden, Dec. 25, 2013