It may be true that your psychological disability may be more difficult for others to recognize and understand in your day-to-day life. This is because they cannot visibly see it the same as a physical disability, for example. However, contrary to what you may initially assume, proving your psychological disability in your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits application should not be made any more challenging. Rather, the Social Security Administration (SSA) asks for the same general types of evidence to support your claim. With that being said, please continue reading to learn how to document your psychological disability and how an experienced New Jersey SSDI attorney at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can help with your application.
What categories of mental disorders are observed by the SSA?
Simply put, you must first ensure that your diagnosed psychological disability is eligible for SSDI benefits. Below are the 11 categories that the SSA holds for mental disorders:
- Neurocognitive disorders.
- Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.
- Depressive, bipolar, and related disorders.
- Intellectual disorders.
- Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
- Somatic symptom and related disorders.
- Personality and impulse-control disorders.
- Autism spectrum disorder.
- Neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Eating disorders.
- Trauma- and stressor-related disorders.
How do I document my psychological disability for my SSDI benefits application?
Once you confirm that you have a qualified psychological disability, you must begin collecting documentation of it. The most important kind of evidence is objective medical evidence from a licensed medical professional(s). This should consist of the following:
- The clinical examinations and laboratory test results that led to your official diagnosis.
- Your medical history with this psychological disability, such as its onset date, duration, and progression.
- A comprehensive record of the treatment prescribed to you and undergone by you in response to this diagnosis.
- An official statement by the medical professional(s) regarding the functional limitations associated with your disability.
In addition, you may gather non-medical evidence that similarly sheds light on the severity of your psychological disability. For one, you may keep a journal of your daily living activities, specifically your routine of getting dressed, bathing, cooking, cleaning, running errands, etc. Here, you may detail how your condition holds you back and how you usually need to source outside assistance for these tasks. You may even go over how it lends to work-related limitations, as well.
Within this log, you may share any episodes of decompensation you experience due to heightened issues with your psychological disability. You may explain the circumstances that triggered it, how long it lasted, and how it temporarily affected your daily life. It also may not hurt to obtain statements from others, such as your family members and close friends, who know you best and may attest to how much your condition affects you.
Before entering these proceedings, you should have already hired a skilled New Jersey SSDI attorney to represent you. So, if you have not done so already, please contact The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur today.
