Many people suffer from the symptoms of clinical depression. Far from being just a rough patch in life, a person with clinical depression may not feel the same for weeks or even months. Depression can also cause physical problems, like headaches and stomach aches. Depression can also affect a person’s sleeping and eating habits, as well as a person’s ability to concentrate on a task.
Not all forms of depression are debilitating. Moreover, in many cases, the symptoms can at least be controlled with the appropriate treatment. However, in severe cases, depression can make it hard for a person to even get out of bed in the morning, much less go to work and hold a job.
The Social Security Administration recognizes that, in certain cases, depression can legally be a disability that entitles an applicant to SSD benefits. Specifically, if a person is experiencing at least five of the common symptoms of depression, then the condition may be considered debilitating.
Moreover, applicants will need to show that they are suffering some serious limitations in at least one area, like the ability to concentrate or the ability to communicate and socialize with others. Typically, the sort of limitations about which the Social Security Administration is concerned are the sort that could prevent someone with severe depression from working.
On a practical level, however, residents of San Diego may have a hard time proving that they merit Social Security Disability benefits based on a diagnosis of depression. Doing so takes careful and well-organized documentation.