Applying for Social Security Disability with an Anxiety Disorder

Successfully becoming approved for either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) with just an anxiety disorder is very challenging. In general mental disorders are difficult to prove. Many mental health issues can be controlled with medication or therapy. Most individuals who receive disability benefits for an anxiety disorder often have other disorders such as clinical depression , bipolar disorder, PTSD, or physical impairments.

There are a few different types of anxiety disorders that are recognized by medical professionals. Even though each type has its own characteristics, they are all considered to be symptoms of anxiety.

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – This is the most common type and is characterized by non-specific persistent anxiousness and concern with everyday matters.

2. Panic Disorder – This type is characterized by brief attacks of terror and fear that occur frequently with no warning. Symptoms during an attack include trembling, chest pain and sweating.

3. Social Anxiety Disorder – Also known as social phobia, is characterized by extreme fear and avoidance of social interactions to prevent public embarrassment and humiliation.

4. Specific Phobias – These types of anxiety disorders are characterized by an intense, irrational fear of an object or situation such as spiders or heights.

Documenting disability can be difficult in such cases because anxious individuals often have significant fears about attending doctors' visits, which can result in an inability to meet the Social Security Administration's evidentiary requirements.

Proving to the Social Security Administration that an individual’s symptoms of an anxiety disorder are severe enough to prevent from working any job (skilled or unskilled) in the United States can be troublesome. One of the preferred ways to show the SSA that an applicant is unable to work due to their condition is to have his or her treating doctor complete a mental residual functional capacity form. Submitting the form with the initial application can significantly increase one’s chances for approval. 

The mental residual functional capacity form addresses an individual’s ability to cognitively function in a work environment despite his or her disability. If an applicant is deemed to be able to perform unskilled work (jobs that require little to no training or education), he or she will not qualify for disability benefits due to lack of severity.

If you need helping applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 20 years experience with Social Security Disability cases.