Questions About Mental Disability

What Mental Health Symptoms Get You Approved for Social Security Disability or SSI?

Social Security focuses on an individual's functional capacity to work rather than specific symptoms.

Why Mental Impairment Claims Get Denied for Disability

Lack of mental health treatment or treatment notes, not taking medication, or having an episodic illness can hurt a Social Security disability claim.

Episodes of Decompensation in Mental Illness: Social Security Disability

Social Security has updated its listings that used the term “episodes of decompensation” to describe periods of mental deterioration.

Will My GAF Score Affect Whether I Can Get Social Security Disability?

Your GAF score is just one piece of evidence Social Security will look at when deciding if you're disabled.

How Special Education and Difficulty in School Relate to Getting Disability

School records can be important for adults claiming disability, even just for physical impairments.

Can I Get Social Security Disability for a Somatoform Disorder?

With a proper psychiatric diagnosis and documentation of your symptoms and limitations, you may be able to get disability benefits for somatoform disorder.

Can I Get Disability Benefits Because of Severe, Chronic Insomnia?

Social Security isn't likely to grant disability for insomnia alone, but when combined with other physical or mental problems, it could tip the scales in your favor.

Does Taking Any Medication Automatically Qualify You for Social Security Disability Benefits?

No drug will automatically make you eligible for disability benefits because the side effects are different for everyone.

Social Security Disability for Depression and Anxiety

Does having both clinical depression and anxiety make it any easier to get disability benefits?

Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability

Written by a former SSA medical consultant, Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability is the essential book for learning about the disability process, and can be helpful whether you hire or lawyer or not.

Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits

Nolo's book covers Medicaid rules for seniors and persons with disabilities.