Social Security Benefits for Depression

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2011/10/24 - Updated: 2021/12/11
Category Topic: U.S. Social Security - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Generally SSA evaluates disability due to depression based on medical documentation and extent to which depression interferes with ability to work. Depression is much more than simply feeling "down in the dumps." It is a whole-body illness that affects both a person's health and how he thinks, feels and behaves toward others.

Introduction

Clinical depression is a serious problem in the United States. According to estimates by the Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, approximately 9.2 million Americans suffer from severe or clinical depression. By 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that clinical depression will be the number two cause of "lost years of healthy life" worldwide. Fortunately, those who suffer from severe, debilitating depression can qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.

Main Content

What Is Depression?

Depression is much more than simply feeling "down in the dumps." It is a whole-body illness that affects both a person's health and how he thinks, feels and behaves toward others. People with severe depression may have difficulty working, eating, sleeping and maintaining interpersonal relationships.

Experts define clinical depression - also known more formally as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) - as a persistent depressed state, often characterized by feelings of hopelessness or sadness. Those with the condition experience at least five of the following symptoms every day for at least two weeks:

• Changes in appetite
• Insomnia or oversleeping
• Decreased energy or fatigue
• Sad, empty or depressed mood
• Thoughts or attempts of suicide
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions

Episodes of severe depression are also accompanied by significant impairment in a person's ability to work, interact socially and carry on other important daily life functions. If a person's depression is particularly severe, it may prevent him from functioning in the workplace.

How Does SSA Evaluate the Severity of an Applicant's Depression?

Generally, the SSA evaluates an applicant's disability due to depression based on medical documentation, the extent to which the applicant's depression interferes with his ability to work, and whether these limitations have lasted or are likely to last for at least one year.

One of the biggest difficulties that applicants with depression face is providing adequate medical documentation. Family doctors typically do not provide much information about the extent of a patient's depression, but only note that they have prescribed antidepressants. Records from mental health professionals may contain similar information, but do not indicate the severity of a patient's depression. Therefore, it is not uncommon for the SSA to require a mental status examination of those claiming disability on the basis of severe depression to make sure it has the information it needs to make a proper decision.

It is also important for an applicant to provide as much specific information as possible about the ways in which his depression affects his daily life. The SSA will want to learn as much as possible about specific symptoms. For example, in what ways has the applicant lost interest in activities he enjoyed previously? In what specific ways does his difficulty thinking manifest itself

The SSA will finally examine whether the applicant's depression prevents them from performing general work activities. For example, someone with severe depression may have difficulty making decisions or getting along with colleagues, both of which could adversely affect their ability to work.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.