Applying for Social Security Disability and Schizophrenia

Here's an excerpt from the page on this site that deals with the schizophrenia listing in the social security disability list of impairments, otherwise known as the blue book. This is the manual used by both disability examiners and administrative law judges to determine if claimants are eligible for disability based on equaling or meeting the criteria established for a specific physical or mental impairment.

Schizophrenia is a medical condition listed in the official Social Security official list of impairments, or the blue book, as it is more commonly called. Schizophrenia falls under heading 12.03, Schizophrenic, Paranoid, and Other Psychotic Disorders, and the criteria that must be proven to meet this listing are complex, to say the least. In fact, the description of schizophrenia listed in the blue book is complicated enough to make this condition a perfect example of why so many who file for Social Security Disability (SSD) or SSI can benefit from legal representation at the hearing level where a federal judge presides.

The rest of the page can be viewed at this link: Social Security Disability and Schizophrenia

Here are some other pages from the site that may be relevant and useful.

1. Mental Illness and Social Security Disability

Excerpt: "Disability examiners are not licensed psychiatrists, and do not always understand the full scope of the limitations imposed by certain mental illnesses. For instance, some disability examiners do not recognize the cyclical nature of mental illnesses"

2. How Do You Pass a Social Security Mental Exam?

Excerpt: "Consultative mental examinations (CE appointments) are often used if an individual has no current mental health treatment notes or no record of mental health treatment at all. As you might imagine, these types of examinations are typically a poor substitute for a documented history from a mental health professional"

3. Not alleging mental conditions on a social security disability application

"Why do some claimants fail to disclose all their conditions when they file an initial claim for benefits. The reasons probably vary. In some cases, a claimant may believe that, though they are treated for a mood disorder, or other psychiatric impairment, the severity of the condition may not warrant an approval for disability benefits"





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Social Security Disability Secrets

Social Security Disability Benefit Questions