Anxiety Disorders Can Lead to Social Security Disability Benefits

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Anxiety is a very normal reaction to everyday stress.  It is a natural reaction that helps you cope mentally and be prepared in any given stressful situation. Problems occur, however, when the stress experienced becomes excessive and prolonged, and this can lead to psychiatric problems related to excessive anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are classed as Organic Mental Disorders and are said to be the most common psychiatric disorders experienced. There are five generally recognized types of anxiety disorder.

Types of Anxiety

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Social Phobia Disorder
• Panic Disorder

Anxiety disorders generally invoke both emotional and physical symptoms. For example a person suffering a panic attack may exhibit sweating, dizziness and shaking as well as experience fear and apprehension in situations where these reactions are not normally experienced.

The symptoms and effects of anxiety disorders, while not taken seriously by much of the general public, can be debilitating to those who frequently deal with these challenges.  Long term anxiety can lead to social dysfunction and an inability to function normally in everyday life.

Some cases of anxiety are mild and that level of symptoms gradually disappear without any formal treatment.  Untreated anxiety can sometimes become a very serious problem, when left untreated it may lead to many other problems.  If addressed properly, anxiety disorders can usually be treated with a combination of medication and counseling therapy, but there are occasions when the condition can become out of control and unresponsive to even more active treatment.

A basic self test known as the Beck Anxiety Test can be used to assess the severity of your own anxiety and determine whether it runs the risk of becoming a problem.

If you suffer from severe anxiety that keeps you from working you may want to consider filing for disability benefits.  Keep in mind that organic mental disorders like anxiety are recognized as serious impairments, enough to be listed in the Social Security Administration’s impairment listings manual, or “Blue Book.”   If your anxiety is as severe as the listing requires you have a good chance of being awarded Social Security Disability benefits.  Even if you do not meet or equal the listing you could still be awarded benefits if your condition is severe enough that you cannot sustain employment.

If you have been denied already, or you do not think your anxiety meets the listing level then consider talking with a disability lawyer to help develop multiple theories (ways you could be awarded benefits) for your case.  Disability attorneys or law firms typically only get paid a fee if you win your disability benefits, and it will not cost you anything out of pocket to get started.  Getting experienced help on your side may get you a better result dealing with the specific rules of the Social Security Administration.