Getting an Accommodation for Depression or Anxiety in the Workplace

Depression and anxiety—two common mental disorders that can affect your mood and concentration—can qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when they substantially limit your ability to perform major life activities. Memory problems, intrusive thoughts, and difficulty maintaining attendance are examples of symptoms that may lead you to request reasonable accommodations from your employer.

Unfortunately, not all employers understand what their obligations are to their employees. Workers will often have to assert their ADA rights, which can be especially tough for those already struggling with mental health impairments. If you’re unsure how to ask for an ADA accommodation for anxiety or depression, read on to learn what evidence you’ll need to show that you have a disability and what medical information you can keep confidential.

When Is Depression a Disability Under the ADA?

The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major activity. (42 U.S.C. § 12102(1)(A) (2026).) Many symptoms of depression—a mental impairment—can substantially limit one or more major life activities. Examples include:

• sleep disturbances
• loss of appetite
• feelings of hopelessness and despair
• suicidal thoughts
• trouble thinking, concentrating, and remembering
• lack of energy, and
• loss of interest in normal activities.

“Major life activities” are tasks and functions that are basic to our everyday lives. For example, somebody with major depressive disorder may display a lack of energy that makes it hard for them to interact with others (and for others to interact with them). Aspects of cognition and socialization such as memory, communication, and even hygiene can be affected by depression. When these aspects are “substantially limited” by a mental impairment, the ADA considers the impairment disabling.

You don’t have to be completely incapable of social interaction, concentration, or enjoyment to be substantially limited due to depression. However, you should be able to show that, compared to most people, you’re worse at these activities in a meaningful way. Almost everybody experiences mental ups and downs that have an impact on their work at least occasionally, for example. That’s to be expected. But if you have symptoms of depression that make it very hard for you to attend scheduled appointments, this could be a substantial limitation under the ADA.

When Is Anxiety a Disability Under the ADA?

Anxiety, like depression, is considered a disability when it causes symptoms that substantially limit a major life activity. Anxiety can be diagnosed under several names, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Potentially disabling symptoms may include intrusive thoughts, feelings of panic and fear, and difficulty handling changes and job-related stress.

As with other mental health impairments, these symptoms can range in severity from person to person. An employee with mild agoraphobia (anxiety in groups of people) might stay away from large crowds but otherwise be fine interacting with the public, while another employee with severe agoraphobia may have an intense fear of any strangers, causing them to avoid leaving their house.

Requesting Depression or Anxiety Accommodations at Work

One of the most well-known (and misunderstood) provisions of the ADA is the right to reasonable accommodations from your employer. Reasonable accommodations are changes to the job or workplace policies that allow you to perform the essential functions of your job. While employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations as long as they don’t constitute an “undue hardship,” the ADA doesn't require your employer to guess that you have a disability or need an accommodation. So if your depression or anxiety makes it difficult for you to work, you should ask for changes you believe would help.

You don't have to make your accommodation request in writing, but it's a good idea to do so. That way, you can make sure you’ve clearly communicated your needs to your employer, and you'll have a record of your request. Once you've made your request, your employer can ask for more information or documentation of your condition and how it affects you.

The company you work for doesn't have to provide the precise accommodation you request. But your employer must engage in an “informal, interactive process" with you to try to come up with an accommodation that will be effective. 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(o)(3)(2026). For example, if your new supervisor has a harsh and critical style that makes your anxiety worse, you might ask to report to your former supervisor, whose style was more positive. Instead of granting your request, your employer might ask your new supervisor to take a more constructive approach with you and offer a mediator to help the two of you get along better.

Sample ADA Mental Health Accommodations for Depression and Anxiety

Many different kinds of problems can arise at work if you’re dealing with depression or an anxiety disorder. Likewise, there are many examples of reasonable accommodations that might be effective for anxiety or depression, so you can continue working. The exact accommodations you need will depend on your job and the specific ways in which your anxiety or depression symptoms affect you. Let’s look at some of the most effective and popular accommodations.

When Anxiety or Depression Creates Attendance Problems

Both anxiety and depression can make it difficult to go to work when you’re supposed to. For instance, if you're taking medication that makes you groggy in the morning, you might have difficulty getting to work on time and getting your work done once you arrive.

Depending on the kind of work you do, any of the following examples might be reasonable accommodations that help improve your attendance at work:

• a modified work schedule (like starting later in the day)
• more frequent breaks (for calming or stress relief)
• a hybrid schedule that allows you to work from home some of the time, or
• a supportive coworker or supervisor who checks up on you.

Accommodating Concentration Issues Caused by Anxiety or Depression

Depression and anxiety can make it difficult to focus and think. If you're having trouble concentrating, you might request a change in your work environment to minimize unnecessary distractions.

If you work in a cubicle or near a noisy distraction (like a copy machine), any of the following might work to accommodate you:

• a move to a quieter space
• noise-canceling earbuds or headset
• sound absorption or soundproofing panels, or
• a white noise generator.

If your supervisor or coworkers frequently pop in to chat, you might ask that these visits be limited (or simply ask to be allowed to close your door to avoid these interruptions).

If the problem is artificial light and/or the lack of natural light in your workplace that makes it hard to concentrate, you might ask for:

• incandescent or LED task lighting
• a sunbox or sun-simulating desk lamp, or
• relocation to a spot with a window.

Other examples of reasonable accommodations that might improve your ability to concentrate at work include:

• task management or concentration apps
• a desk pedal exerciser or fidget device
• an electronic organizer, or
• a modified or flexible break schedule.

Trouble With Memory and Organization Caused by Anxiety or Depression

Anxiety, and particularly depression, can make it difficult to remember and retain information and to keep complicated work tasks straight. There are many memory aids you can use, including:

• whiteboards and bulletin boards
• recording devices, and
• note-taking and reminder apps.

If you struggle with organization, reasonable workplace accommodations might include:

• organizing or workflow management software
• a time management app, or
• electronic or printed checklists.

When you have trouble remembering the steps you need to take or staying organized enough to complete a project, you could also ask for any of the following as a reasonable accommodation:

• written step-by-step instructions for each assignment
• regular feedback from your supervisor and details of your work in writing
• frequent check-ins to help you stay on task, or
• help breaking down big projects into more manageable tasks.

Accommodating Social Anxiety at Work

If you’re dealing with social anxiety, you know the crippling anxiety that can come with everyday social interactions. Add the pressures of the workplace, and social anxiety can disrupt your ability to work. But your employer might be able to reasonably accommodate your social anxiety in one or more of the following ways:

• allowing you to use alternative communication methods (for example, email or text message instead of phone or face-to-face)
• implementing a more flexible break schedule so you can step away when your anxiety flares
• getting regular encouragement and positive feedback from your supervisor, or
• giving you a hybrid work schedule that allows you to work remotely when needed.

When Depression or Anxiety Causes Decreased Stamina or Fatigue

Common side effects of some anxiety disorders, depression, and certain medications include feeling sluggish and tired much of the time. If you suffer from reduced stamina and fatigue, here are some examples of accommodations that might allow you to continue working at full capacity:

• anti-fatigue mats
• being able to sit when you're working (instead of standing all the time)
• stand-lean stools
• periodic rest breaks, or
• task rotation (switching between tasks to reduce repetitive strain).

Getting Accommodation for Stress Intolerance on the Job

The anxiety that comes from low stress tolerance can make you feel anxious, irritable, and insecure. And it can affect your ability to concentrate and focus on your work. There are workplace accommodations that might help when stress threatens to overwhelm you at work, such as:

• apps for stress and anxiety (including breathing and meditation apps)
• modifying your workspace to create a calmer environment, which could include adding plants or changing the paint colors
• removing or modifying marginal tasks that cause additional stress (tasks that aren’t essential to your position and could be performed by others)
• offering a flexible break schedule so you can step away from the job or take a walk when you need to decompress
• allowing phone calls during work hours to your counselor or therapist for support, or
• allowing you to bring a support animal to work.

You can find many more accommodation ideas on the website of the Job Accommodation Network.

Can I Get a Letter From My Doctor to Work From Home Due to Anxiety or Depression?

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Commission—the agency that enforces ADA rules—allowing you to work from home is sometimes a reasonable accommodation when your disability keeps you from successfully performing your job at your employer’s workplace, and you can do your job (or parts of your job) at home without causing significant difficulty or expense. (For more information, see the commission's guidance on depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.)

Your employer doesn’t have to let you work from home if being onsite is essential to your position or allowing you to work remotely would create an undue hardship for the company. But under the ADA, your employer is required to work with you to try to come up with reasonable accommodations that allow you to do your job. Having a note from your doctor isn’t a guarantee that your employer will allow you to work from home, but it may be helpful. You might also be able to get time off work as a reasonable accommodation if you need to take occasional days off during periods when your depression or anxiety is exacerbated or you need inpatient treatment.

What If My Employer Refuses ADA Accommodations?

Hopefully, the interactive process works the way it’s supposed to, and your employer agrees to reasonable accommodations for your anxiety or depression. But if your employer denies your request for accommodation, you might benefit from speaking with an experienced employment discrimination attorney who can review your situation and help you enforce your ADA rights. Learn more about when to talk to an employment discrimination lawyer.