Do not neglect to list Mental Conditions on a Disability Application in South CarolinaMany people who file for Social Security Disability (SSD) or file for SSI benefits in South Carolina list only their physical conditions on their applications, and do not include information about any mental conditions or symptoms from which they are suffering, even if they have received past medical treatment for them. There are probably a variety of reasons why people neglect to mention mental impairments on disability applications. For one thing, there's still a lot of ignorance out there regarding mental disorders, and people are hesitant to tell anyone that they have sought psychiatric help, take antidepressants, etc. In some cases this fear may be justified; employers may indeed worry that a depressed individual will be a poor performer at work, and unfortunately it's also true that some people may view you differently if they learn you are manic depressive, suffer from panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. However, when it comes to the issue of filing for SSD or SSI, it is important to list every medical symptom that you can think of on your application. Even if you do not think that your mental condition is severe enough to be disabling, you need to include it in your initial disability application (filed at the social security administration office) so that the disability examiner in your case can get a complete picture of your health before making a decision on your claim. In fact, many individuals suffering from physical conditions such as the condition chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia syndrome, chronic back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., also develop depression as a result of dealing with their impairment. In trying to evaluate the severity of such illnesses and the full impact that they have on an individual's ability to function, disability examiners and judges need to have access to all of the information. There are cases in which an applicant for disability is unaware that their mental condition has deteriorated until medical tests reveal this; for example, declining IQ levels or memory function as a result of brain injury or organic brain disorder. If you are diagnosed with a mental disorder after filing for disability, or simply forgot to include the information in your initial disability application, be sure to call the social security office to update your claim and add the pertinent test results or diagnosis to your file. Remember that all Social Security Disability decisions are based, not on the type of condition from which you suffer, but on the detrimental effect your impairment has on your work performance. Both physical and mental conditions are relevant to the disability decision, and the more information you provide to the disability adjudicators (examiners and administrative law judges) deciding your case, the better your chances of being approved for disability benefits. If your initial application is denied and you did not provide a history of your mental health the first time around, remember to include it when you file your appeals. And, if you decide not to file an appeal and to wait it out to see how your medical condition develops, be sure to file another application immediately if your symptoms fail to improve. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Filing for disability in South Carolina If you File or apply for Disability in South Carolina How long does it take to get a disability decision in South Carolina? Where do you begin when applying for disability benefits in South Carolina? What to bring when applying for disability in South Carolina Applying for SSI Disability Benefits in South Carolina What happens after you apply for disability in South Carolina? If you file for disability in South Carolina and get denied South Carolina disability back pay benefits Social Security Disability Retroactive Benefits in South Carolina Getting Social Security Disability back pay in South Carolina South Carolina disability tips South Carolina Social Security Disability appeal tips How to apply for disability in South Carolina and get approved? How to get awarded disability in South Carolina How to qualify for disability in South Carolina South Carolina Disability Doctors Help Your Doctor Help You to Win disability in South Carolina A Disability Exam in South Carolina Social Security Disability DDS doctors in South Carolina Medical Conditions and SSD SSI in South Carolina You Must be Disabled for a Year to get disability in South Carolina Social Security Disability for Mental and Physical Problems in South Carolina List Mental Conditions on a Disability Application in South Carolina South Carolina disability applications and your condition Disability hearings in South Carolina Social Security Disability Hearing Decisions in South Carolina Disability Hearing in South Carolina offers a chance for winning benefits Disability hearing in South Carolina, what happens? Disability denials in South Carolina If you lose your disability case in South Carolina Social Security Disability appeals in South Carolina Disability appeals in South Carolina When a Social Security Disability claim gets denied in South Carolina Should You Appeal Your Social Security Disability Denial in South Carolina? Appealing a denial of Social Security Disability in South Carolina Qualifying for disability in South Carolina Qualifying for Disability in South Carolina Who qualifies for disability in South Carolina? Will you get Approved for Disability in South Carolina? Disability cases to win in South Carolina Disability lawyers in South Carolina South Carolina Disability lawyer, hiring Using a Social Security Disability Attorney in South Carolina How to pick a disability lawyer in South Carolina Get a Good Disability Attorney or Disability Representative in South Carolina |
