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Disability for General Anxiety Disorder

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition involving constant worry for at least six months. Sufferers of this disorder may also experience fatigue, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and changes in weight. These symptoms significantly interfere with an individual's social or occupational functioning. Due to the severity of its symptoms, GAD is one of the many mental disorders legally recognized as a disabling condition for which benefits can be sought.

  1. Definitions for Disability

    • The word disability is defined differently under various types of legislation. For example, under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), an individual is considered to be disabled if that person has a serious health condition for which they are receiving ongoing medical treatment. The condition must limit the individual's ability to perform work. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines disability as a physical or mental condition that impairs an individual's ability to perform in one or more major life activities. GAD is recognized as a disabling condition under both FMLA and ADA.

    Treatment of GAD

    • Sufferers of GAD may seek treatment that includes medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both. Anti-anxiety medications such as Wellbutrin, Xanax and Lexapro can help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. However, it may take six weeks to notice changes. Psychotherapy is equally important since it enables patients to identify situations that are especially anxiety-provoking but it often takes 12 weeks for results to occur. Individuals may find themselves unable to function until treatment becomes effective.

    STD and LTD

    • GAD patients can file for short-term disability (STD) through their employer or their state government. STD can be provided for a maximum of six months. More severe cases of GAD may require a longer period of time to recover. If the condition causes an inability to work for more than six months, patients can file for long-term disability (LTD) through their employer if it is offered. Employees with ongoing health problems may decide to take out additional insurance to protect themselves from incurring a great financial loss should they become unable to work for a longer period of time.

    Social Security Disability

    • Individuals unable to do any kind of work for at least one year may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Filing for these benefits is an arduous task that requires the completion of multiple forms and copies of medical records as well as an examination by a doctor appointed by Social Security. For GAD, both medical and psychological exams are conducted. Since a thorough investigation is conducted, it takes several months for a determination to me made.

    Additional Concerns

    • Becoming disabled often exacerbates the paramount symptom of GAD: anxiety. For instance, fears of losing jobs as well as worrying about qualifying for benefits can take an even greater toll on patients. Completing numerous forms is not only tiresome but may also be difficult for GAD sufferers whose condition interferes with concentration and memory. Also, once all the necessary paperwork has been completed, waiting for a decision to be made can be stressful.

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