Social Security Disability Lawyers for Mental Health Patients in North Carolina

The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a disabling mental condition as one that keeps you from being able to work and which has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months.

SSA statistics show that nearly a fifth of all disability benefits claims awarded each year are to people suffering from this type of condition.

The following are examples found in the SSA’s “Blue Book.” This book lists impairments that are considered severe enough that an individual suffering from one is “disabled” as a matter of law, and it describes the medical evidence needed to establish that you suffer from this impairment.

Organic Mental Disorders

These are disorders that are caused by a physical illness or disease rather than a psychiatric illness. An example is Alzheimer’s Disease or symptoms brought on by traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as difficulty with concentrating, thinking clearly, or remembering new information.

Schizophrenic, Paranoid and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a rare but serious mental disorder. It generally is marked by a person losing touch with reality. Symptoms generally appear between the ages of 16 and 30. The signs may appear later in men than women. They include:

  • Hallucinations (seeing objects that aren’t there or hearing voices)
  • Delusions (including paranoid beliefs that others are trying to harm them)
  • Dysfunctional thinking (inability to think clearly)
  • Unusual body movements (repeated motions)
  • Catatonia (not moving at all or responding to one’s environment.

Affective Disorders

These are also called “mood disorders.” Examples include depression, loss of interest in activities, loss of appetite (with weight fluctuations), suicidal thoughts, or hyperactivity.

Intellectual Disability

The SSA generally requires a showing that the individual falls within one of four categories:

  • Dependence on others for personal needs (eating, dressing, hygiene)
  • Full-scale IQ of 59 or less
  • Full-scale IQ of 60 through 70 and a physical or other mental impairment
  • Full-scale IQ of 60 through 70 that results in at least two of the following:
  • Restriction of activities of daily living
  • Difficulties in maintaining social functioning
  • Difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace
  • Repeated, extended episodes of mental health deterioration.

Anxiety-Related Disorders

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could fall within this category. This is often caused by experiencing a traumatic event or witnessing one. Other examples of anxiety-related disorders are persistent, irrational fear or recurring panic attacks.

Somatoform Disorders

The SSA defines these as “physical symptoms for which there are no demonstrable organic findings or known physiological mechanisms.” For instance, a person may inexplicably lose their sense of vision, speech or hearing or the use of a limb.

The SSA states that an “unrealistic interpretation of physical signs or sensations” or a “preoccupation or a belief that one has a serious disease or injury” are also are signs.

Personality Disorders

These disorders generally include the inability to function in social settings such as being withdrawn, pathologically suspicious or hostile, overly aggressive or impulsive, and damaging behavior.

Substance Addiction Disorders

Alcoholism or drug addiction may be considered a disability. To be a qualifying disability, one’s addiction must lead to behavioral or physical changes, including depression, anxiety, liver damage, gastritis, pancreatitis, or seizures.

Autistic Disorder

Autism is a mental disorder that is marked by difficulties a person has with communicating and interacting socially. It may also be marked by making repeated body movements or repeating the same words over and over again. Asperger’s Syndrome is a mild form of autism.

Common Mental Health Disorders

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes several common mental health problems:Depressed woman sitting on a chair in dark room

  • Anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) – This is marked by extreme worry about things for which there is little or no reason to worry. GAD sufferers can be anxious about just getting through the day or suffer overwhelming anxiety that keeps them from doing everyday tasks.
  • Bipolar disorder – This is also known as manic-depressive illness. Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder. It causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
  • Depression – This is a common but serious illness. It is marked by symptoms such as persistent sadness, anxiety, or “empty” feelings and can include thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts. Many who suffer from depression have difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions. Some cannot get out of bed or leave home.
  • Panic disorder –This condition is marked by sudden and repeated attacks of fear that last for several minutes or longer. Panic disorder can lead to an intense worry about when the next attack will happen. It can interfere with daily routines such as school or work.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – This is an anxiety disorder that some people suffer after seeing or living through a dangerous event. PTSD has many symptoms. They include re-experiencing the event, avoidance symptoms, and being easily startled or constantly feeling tense or “on-edge.”
  • Schizophrenia – This is a chronic, severe and disabling brain disorder. It may cause sufferers to be delusional. In some cases, they can become withdrawn or extremely agitated.
  • Sleep disorders – These conditions include insomnia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), difficulty breathing, fatigue, excessive sleeping, narcolepsy, nightmares, and REM behavior disorder (RBD) in which people act out their dreams.
  • Stress – This condition can be overwhelming or chronic. It can damage the digestive, excretory and reproductive systems.

The Challenges of a North Carolina Mental Illness Social Security Disability Claim

Demonstrating a person’s mental illness can be a tough and complex undertaking. Such a claim might rely on showing that a physical injury led to the person’s psychological impairment. It may also rely on proving that an emotional stimulus caused a psychological reaction and disability. A violent act such as an explosion or the collapse of scaffolding that led to workers’ deaths, for example, could cause post-traumatic stress disorder in one who witnessed the event.

An experienced North Carolina Social Security Disability lawyer who understands the SSD benefits claims system will know how to document and demonstrate one’s mental health and present it to an administrative law judge so that you get the benefits you need to survive.

Our Raleigh Mental Health Disability Lawyer Are Ready to Help

Hardison & Cochran handles many injuries and Social Security Disability cases in North Carolina in which a person suffers from mental illness or other serious mental health issues. If you or a loved one needs a lawyer to handle your SSD benefits claim, make sure your attorney has experience representing clients who suffer from mental illness. Contact Hardison & Cochran today online or by calling (800) 434-8399 to schedule a free consultation. We’ll respond within 24 hours.

We can help to collect the evidence you need to prove your case.

The disability lawyers for mental illness at Hardison & Cochran understand that you’re relying on Social Security Disability benefits to pay for living expenses and other costs during this stressful time in your life. We’re committed to fighting for you so that you can get the SSD benefits you are entitled to receive.