People often associate anxiety with nervousness. However, anxiety is more than that; it could limit your ability to do simple tasks, like talking to people. With this condition, you could feel restless and fall into a rabbit hole of negative thoughts, worsening your condition.
If your anxiety disorder is prohibiting you from performing work-related tasks, it might be time to take a little break. You can rely on Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits to help you take better care of your health.
Anxiety limits work performance
Different people have different triggers for their anxiety attacks, but they always exhibit symptoms that hinder them from performing work-related tasks. The most common struggles induced by anxiety include:
- Difficulty understanding, remembering or applying information
- Trouble interacting with people
- Issues with concentrating or maintaining a pace
- Feeling restless, uneasy or irritated
Aside from these functional limitations, anxiety also exhibits physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, fatigue, insomnia, stomach pains, nausea, sweaty hands and trembling hands or legs.
Support your SSD claim
Mental health disorders, like anxiety, are included in the list of disabilities qualified for SSD benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will evaluate your claim based on the following:
- Symptoms: You experience three or more symptoms that prohibit you from working.
- Mental function: You have extreme limitations of at least one mental function, preventing you from doing work-related tasks.
- Serious and persistent condition: You have experienced the condition for at least two years and have been receiving treatment.
- Medical documentation: You have complete documentation of your medical history.
Moreover, the SSA will review other personal documents such as your work history, income or other social security benefits.
Unlike physical conditions, mental disorders are more difficult to prove. The SSA has established strict measures for SSD claims for physical and mental health conditions. Remember that you can always reach out to disability lawyers if you are feeling overwhelmed with the complex process of SSD claims.