Reporting Episodes of Decompensation: Mental Illness and Social Security Disability

An individual who is filing for disability should try to make sure that their therapist is aware of ALL their periods of decompensation. What do I mean by this? Here's what I mean. Too many patients who suffer who suffer from various mental impairments (and who have filed or will file for disability), have periods where they completely fall apart, or decompensate, but A) don't seek treatment for this or B) when they see their therapist, either fail to mention to mention the decompensation episode, or minimize its severity (play it down).

This, for the purpose of documenting a solid and winnable disability claim, is a mistake. With regard to psychiatric and psychological impairments, much depends on what a patient actually reports to their treatment specialist. If the information is not reported, it does not become part of the medical record, and it does not become credible evidence that might help to get a disability case approved.

The point being: if you are filing for disability on the basis of a mental condition, or are considering doing so, make sure your mental health treatment specialist is kept up to date with how your condition is progressing, particularly with regard to episodes of decompensation.