Many may think that Social Security Disability Insurance is a tool for people suffering from physical disabilities — whether that means the challenges of old age or as the result of a catastrophic injury. But mental disabilities are just as likely to be the reason someone needs this financial support.
As Healthline estimates, over 16 million Americans suffer a depressive episode in any given year. That may make it sound common enough to overlook as a disability. But many people suffer depressive symptoms that are worse enough and frequent enough to debilitate their day-to-day livelihood.
Types of depression
Many people experience seasonal depression as the winter months set in. Postpartum depression is a form that deeply affects mothers who just gave birth. Other forms include bipolar disorders where someone feels energized one day and depressed the next.
Another form is persistent depressive disorder where a person suffers from frequent bouts of depression that are low enough in severity to not count as major depression.
Major depression
As the Social Security Administration defines, depressive disorders have a certain definition involving various symptoms. These symptoms include diminished interest in activities, sleep disturbance, decreased energy and even thoughts of death or suicide. If these symptoms persist and impact a person’s minimal capacity, he or she may need SSDI
Disability assistance for depression
The SSA requires medical documentation over a period of at least two years, evidence of medical treatment and proof of marginal ability to adjust to changes in the environment. Once an application accounts for all these things, the SSA may award SSDI assistance.
Anyone pursuing SSDI assistance for depression may want to do further research on this topic, lean on resources to navigate any legal hurdles or reach out to their doctor on how to establish such evidence for future applications.