How to Prove Untreated Mental Problems

Child custody, disability claims, and divorce are just three reasons why someone may need to prove untreated mental problems. The person may be trying to prove his own problems or the problems of a relative or significant other. When a person is treated for a mental illness, proving the illness is easy. If the person has not been officially diagnosed, the process is more complicated but not impossible. Proving untreated mental problems involves describing how the person's behavior matches the symptoms and how the symptoms have impaired her interpersonal, social, or occupational functioning.

Things You'll Need

• Psychiatrist
• Work history information
• Statements from witnesses of behavior

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Instructions

• 1

  Write the mental illness symptoms that the person has experienced. Include how sleep, appetite, behavior, work, family life, concentration, mood, and logical reasoning have been affected. Symptoms of mental disorders as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders must persist for a specific amount of time to be considered proof of a mental problem. When describing the symptoms, note when the symptoms occurred and how long they lasted.

• 2

  Write a detailed work history if the person's ability to work has been affected by the mental problem. Include information about how employment was terminated or how the symptoms affected job performance if relevant.

• 3

  Gather statements from people who have witnessed signs and symptoms of the mental disorder. Brief statements about the person's behavior from witnesses can be helpful to a psychiatrist when diagnosing the condition. Many times, the psychiatrist only needs to hear the individual's description of his symptoms, but witness statements are necessary if the individual is denying the mental problem.

• 4

  Notify any agencies involved of the name and location of the psychiatrist who will be diagnosing the mental problem. Ask if there are forms that must be taken to the psychiatrist or if the agency will be contacting the psychiatrist directly.

• 5

  Give the psychiatrist any documents that he must complete. The patient will need to sign disclosure forms to allow the psychiatrist to share information with the agency. In some situations, the psychiatrist will provide the necessary documentation to prove the mental problem. If the diagnosis is necessary for a Social Security disability claim, the psychiatrist will receive those forms from the Social Security Administration, complete them, and fax or mail them.