Also known as persistent depressive disorder, dysthymia causes long-term depression that may be accompanied by listlessness, low energy, apathy, and poor self-esteem. It can rob you of your ability to work, sustain gainful employment, and carry out daily living activities. A diagnosis of dysthymia can make you eligible for Social Security disability. A lawyer from Disability Advantage Group can help you put together a compelling claim for benefits.
Disability Advantage Group is a national law firm focused on connecting clients with Social Security benefits. Our dedicated attorneys can help you get approved for a grant of benefits for dysthymia and other depressive disorders. We offer a free consultation and case evaluation, and if you decide to work with us, we do not charge a fee until we get you approved for benefits.
To speak with a member of our team, call 865-566-0800.
Dysthymia and How It Affects You
Dysthymia is a form of depression that causes persistent malaise and low mood. Though it is not as severe as major depressive disorder, the chronic nature of dysthymia makes it difficult to cope with. It can rob you of your ability to maintain gainful employment and normal social and professional relationships.
A mild version of dysthymia can cause a constant gloomy disposition, making it hard to interact with others in a work or social setting. If your condition is more severe, it can be debilitating, preventing you even from leaving the house.
The most common symptoms of dysthymia include:
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- A constant sad or melancholy feeling
- A feeling of hopelessness
- Low energy
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble making decisions
- Irritability
- Avoidance of social activities
- Excessive worrying or guilt
- Appetite problems
- Sleep problems
Depression can manifest in different ways depending on the person. No matter how your condition affects you, an attorney from Disability Advantage Group can help you collect supporting documentation and file a compelling claim for Social Security disability.
To speak with a member of our staff and receive a free case evaluation, call us today at 865-566-0800.
The Social Security Disability Listing for Dysthymia
The Social Security “Blue Book” of approved conditions for disability features a listing for depressive, bipolar, and other related disorders. The listing mentions dysthymia, alongside several other types of depression.
The Blue Book exists as a way to streamline disability applications. If you have a diagnosis of a listed condition and meet the criteria under the listing, Social Security considers you eligible for benefits. This lessens the time and effort required to process your claim.
If you do not meet the criteria of a Blue Book listing, you can still get disability by undergoing a residual functional capacity, or RFC, exam.
The RFC Exam
A residual functional capacity, or RFC, exam, measures your ability to carry out work-related tasks and daily living activities in the wake of your disability. Social Security may require you to undergo this test if you do not meet the criteria of a Blue Book listing.
The RFC test is simple, noninvasive, and can be administered by your own doctor, with the results attached to your claim and sent to Social Security for review. A lawyer from Disability Advantage Group can explain the process and help you prepare for it.
To schedule a free case evaluation, call 865-566-0800 today.
The Blue Book Criteria for Dysthymia
Satisfying the requirements of the Blue Book requires that you not only have a diagnosis of a listed condition but also that you meet the criteria of the listing. For each condition in the Blue Book, there is a set of diagnostic criteria, and you must produce evidence that you meet them.
The Blue Book groups dysthymia with other depressive disorders and provides a set of unified criteria for all of them. In order to qualify for Social Security disability based on the Blue Book listing for depressive disorders, your diagnosis must include five or more of the following:
- Depressed mood
- Diminished interest in most activities
- Appetite disturbance with change in weight
- Sleep disturbances
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Low energy
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Trouble concentrating
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Applying for SSDI vs. SSI
Social Security has two disability programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Our team helps you figure out if you qualify for one or both of them.
SSDI Requirements
SSDI and SSI have the same medical requirements, and both programs use the Blue Book and RFC exams to evaluate your disability. But the programs’ non-medical requirements differ substantially. SSDI is an insurance program funded by payroll taxes. Therefore, only those who have paid a sufficient amount into the program can file a claim and receive benefits.
Social Security gives you work credits for each year that you work and pay taxes. Your income for the year determines the number of credits you receive that year, and your age determines how many credits you need to qualify for benefits.
SSI Requirements
SSI differs from SSDI in that it is not insurance but a means-tested benefit program for the needy. It therefore has no work requirements, but instead places caps on your total income and assets. If you make too much money, or your net worth is too high, SSI will deny you on non-medical grounds.
Disability Advantage Group can review your financial documents and steer you toward the right disability program. We have even been able to get clients approved for both SSDI and SSI in some cases.
Call 865-566-0800 Today for a Free Social Security Consultation With Disability Advantage Group
The lawyers at Disability Advantage Group want to get to work today, helping you qualify for Social Security disability for dysthymia. We offer a free consultation and work on a no-win-no-fee basis. We charge for results, not for our time. For a free consultation and case evaluation, call 865-566-0800.