|  | Conditions Treatments | Depression

Disability Based on Depression

A growing mental health illness in the United States, depression leaves some who suffer its effects little or no relief, despite their efforts at treatment. People suffering with this severe type of depression, rendered mentally and emotionally disabled, are incapable of doing ordinary tasks and will no longer be able to work. If that happens, help is available.

  1. Depression

    • Depression is defined as a cluster of symptoms that impairs a person's ability to function. If those symptoms continue daily for more than two weeks, the person is considered clinically depressed. Related symptoms can include: changes in appetite, hygiene and sleep patterns; loss of interest in anything that previously brought pleasure; sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, tearfulness and fatigue. Medication and psychological counseling are often effective tools to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of depression.

    Disability

    • Some people do not respond to any treatment, leaving them with an acute case of clinical depression. At this level, depression becomes a disability. The depressed are barely able to function enough to take care of their needs. Going to work becomes impossible. Sometimes, people stricken this severely spend years seeking and trying different treatments and medications to no avail. Often, they are hospitalized because of suicidal ideation, threats or attempts on their own life.

    Depression as a Secondary Disability

    • Two to 10 percent of people having a physical, mental or developmental disability report depression. Some are also affected by clinical depression as a secondary disability. If both disabilities impact someone, it is likely that person can receive government benefits called Social Security Disability Insurance, SSDI. If depression is a singular disability, an applicant may also be eligible for SSDI benefits.

    Disability Benefits

    • The Social Security Administration uses the following criteria to determine eligibility for SSDI. Depression is considered a disability when someone has been unable to perform work previously done and cannot train or adapt to other types of work. In addition, depression must have lasted at least for one year. Severity of condition is the main criteria for assessing eligibility. Each applicant must supply medical evidence to be considered for benefits.

    Recommendations

    • The application and hearing process for disability benefits is usually a long one. An application must be complete, with medical records, reports, laboratory findings, treatment process and clinical history of depression. All documentation must be from licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians and other practitioners that may have provided treatment. Sometimes, an application will be denied but an appeals process is in place for further evaluation of an application.

Depression - Related Articles