If you are unable to work because you always feel tired or face a lack of motivation, you may be suffering from depression. According to the federal government, over 17 million adults and around 2 million children suffer from depression.
There are several treatment plans and options available to deal with depression. However, it is difficult to properly diagnose this medical condition. Depression can be severe enough to prevent you from working and earning a living at a job or through self-employment. If you are facing a similar situation, contact The Keener Law Firm to learn more about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.
Depression can affect you in many ways and with different levels of severity. Therefore, you must consult a psychiatrist or a mental health professional who can make a proper diagnosis of your condition and suggest an accurate treatment plan. Such symptoms associated with depression include:
Psychotherapists and prescribed medication courses prove effective in treating depression. However, you must schedule an appointment with a mental health professional for proper diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a Listing of Impairments, commonly known as the “Blue Book.” Listed impairments are considered severe enough to meet the definition of “disability” used by the SSA to determine eligibility for SSI or SSDI benefits.
To meet the eligibility criteria for depression disability benefits, you must prove that you experience at least five of the following symptoms-
If you meet the first criteria, you must also prove marked limitation in two of the following areas-
However, even if you do not meet the Blue Book criteria for winning depression disability benefits, a compassionate and experienced SSD lawyer at The Keener Law Firm can review your medical history and records to explore more options to prove that you suffer from a medically determinable impairment that entitles you to disability benefits.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with depression or has been suffering from symptoms associated with the medical condition, contact a depression disability lawyer at The Keener Law Firm. An experienced and compassionate SSD benefits lawyer at our office will answer all your questions relating to the SSD applications and appeals process. Contact us today for a free consultation and case review.