Can I get disability benefits for anxiety?

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Yes, you can get disability for anxiety if it meets the criteria for a "disability" as defined by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which requires proving it significantly limits your ability to work for at least a year. You must have medical evidence of the disorder, and it must cause either an extreme limitation in one area of mental functioning or a marked limitation in two areas (such as interacting with others, concentrating, or managing yourself). An alternative path is to show a "serious and persistent" history of the disorder over at least two years, combined with a demonstrated reliance on ongoing medical treatment and a minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your environment. 

 

What the SSA looks for

• Medical documentation: 

  You need a documented history of the anxiety disorder from healthcare professionals. 

• Symptom evidence: 

  You must show symptoms like restlessness, easy fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. 

• Functional limitations: 

  The SSA evaluates how your anxiety affects your ability to perform daily tasks and work. You need to show either: 

  • An "extreme limitation" in one of the following areas: understanding, remembering, or applying information; interacting with others; concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or adapting or managing yourself. 

  • A "marked limitation" in two of these same areas. 

• Serious and persistent history: 

  You can meet the criteria with a medically documented history of the disorder for at least two years, and evidence that you consistently rely on medical treatment (like therapy) to manage symptoms, along with having a minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your environment. 

• Work history: 

  You must have enough work credits, and the SSA will consider if you can still perform work you've done in the past. If you can't, they will evaluate if you can adjust to other types of work. 

 

How to strengthen your claim

• Get consistent treatment: 

  Maintain ongoing medical and mental health care, and follow your prescribed treatment plan. 

• Keep thorough records: 

  Document all medical appointments, diagnoses, treatments, medications, and the dates of these events. 

• Explain the impact: 

  Be prepared to explain to your doctor and the SSA how your anxiety specifically affects your daily life and ability to work. 

• Consider your physical health: 

  Sometimes, coupling a mental health claim with a physical ailment can strengthen a disability case. 

• Seek legal help: 

  Due to the complex nature of mental health disability claims, it can be beneficial to work with a lawyer who specializes in Social Security disability cases.