Millions of Americans struggle with anxiety. If you’re amongst them, then you know very well the challenges that anxiety can pose on your day-to-day functioning. For some people, this medical condition is so severe that it affects their ability to live what some would consider a normal life, rendering them unable to function socially and obtain and maintain employment. If you’re in that group, then you may deserve Social Security disability benefits.
Qualifying for anxiety-related SSD benefits
In order for anxiety sufferers to qualify for disability benefits, they have to prove that they meet federal requirements. This includes demonstrating that an individual suffers from medically documented anxiety disorder with three of a number of specified characteristics. That list of characteristics includes restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and sleep disturbance. The existence of panic attacks may also qualify you for SSD benefits
Keep in mind that although your own testimony about how your anxiety affects your life might be helpful to your claim, you’ll also need medical documentation demonstrating how your anxiety affects certain aspects of your life.
Appealing your denied claim
The sad reality is that a lot of Social Security disability claims are initially denied. Many of these denials occur because the individual simply hasn’t submitted sufficient medical evidence to demonstrate that he or she meets federal requirements. This is another reason why you need to be diligent in gathering the documentation and testimony that you need to position yourself for success.
You’ll also need to be able to clearly articulate how you meet the government’s requirements as laid out in the law. This means not only having a command of the law, but also knowing how to compose persuasive legal arguments. This is where an experienced attorney may be able to assist you. With so much on the line in your case, you owe it to yourself to ensure that you have the strongest arguments possible on your side.