Depression is a serious illness that affects millions of people across the world. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, depression is probably more common that many people realize. Did you know that depression is actually the number one cause of disability?
One particularly troubling fact about depression is that it can lead to other health problems. In addition to depression, people can suffer from difficulty sleeping, poor diet, addiction to alcohol, poor concentration, anxiety and many other conditions that can make it very difficult or even impossible for a person to perform normal daily tasks, like going to work.
As we mentioned, depression is a leading cause of disability. However, it can be very difficult to secure disability benefits for this condition. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that the Social Security Administration denies huge numbers of applications no matter what the condition is.
However, depression in particular can come with some specific challenges. To begin with, there are many different types of depression and the condition can come with a whole host of different symptoms. This can present a challenge when it comes to treating the condition.
Some people respond well to anti-depressants, counseling, lifestyle adjustments or a combination of these things. However, finding the right combination can be enormously challenging and courses of treatment can end up alleviating some symptoms while bringing on others.
Further, as the SSA notes, depression and its symptoms are not always considered disabling. In fact, the agency states that depression and related mental disorders must be long-lasting, medically diagnosed and severe enough that it prevents a person from performing any gainful activity.
People who suffer from depression are already dealing with overwhelming symptoms and feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, fear and sadness. Trying to tackle the process of applying for benefits, no matter how much a person needs them, can be all but impossible. However, with some support and help from an attorney, a person in this difficult situation can work to get the benefits they deserve so they can get the physical and psychological help they need.