Can I get disability for mental health?

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Yes, mental health conditions do qualify for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) if they are severe enough to stop you from working.

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The SSA groups mental disorders into 11 main categories. Recognized conditions include:

• Depressive and bipolar disorders (like major depression)

• Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders (like PTSD and panic disorder)

• Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

• Autism spectrum disorders

• Personality and impulse-control disorders

• Neurocognitive disorders (like dementia or brain injuries)

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To get approved, you must meet specific rules:

• Duration: Your condition must last, or be expected to last, at least 12 months.

• Work Impact: You must prove your illness prevents you from doing substantial work.

• Functional Limits: The SSA measures how your symptoms limit your daily activities. You generally need a marked limitation in two areas of mental functioning, or an extreme limitation in one area (such as concentrating, interacting with others, or adapting yourself).

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