Social Security Disability for Anxiety Disorders

Can You Get SSDI for Anxiety?

The National Institute of Mental Health has stated that 40 million American adults suffer the debilitating effects of anxiety disorders every year. Anxiety disorders are not the normal, short-lived, anxious responses to stressful situations that everyone faces at some point in their lives. These feelings of irrational fear, dread, and disabling worry over situations can last 6 months or longer and can make it impossible to carry out normal daily functions.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are grouped into 5 categories, including:

• Panic disorder: Extreme feelings of fear that invoke physical reactions, such as heart racing, chest pains, lightheadedness, breathing difficulties or abdominal pains.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Anxiety that leads to the need to perform ritualistic, repetitive behaviors in order to rid the mind of unwelcome thoughts. Behaviors such as excessive washing of hands, cleaning or repeatedly checking something does not ultimately erase the obsessive thoughts.
• Generalized anxiety disorder: Unwarranted, unprovoked thoughts of fear, stress or nervousness that occurs for no apparent reason.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder: Feelings of extreme levels of fear that can occur after a person witnesses or lives through a traumatic event such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster.
• Social anxiety disorder: Severe feelings of self-consciousness, humiliation and fear a person experiences prior to engaging in any type of social situation.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

The symptoms of anxiety disorders vary depending on the specific type of disorder. Besides internal feelings of fear and nervousness, a person may exhibit outward symptoms such as:

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Blushing
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Breathing difficulties
• Irritability
• Aches and pains
• Tingling sensations in the hands
• Hot flashes
• Frequent need to urinate

Anxiety disorders can also lead to other unhealthy life patterns, such as alcohol or drug abuse, disrupted sleep patterns or eating disorders.

Anxiety Disorder Causes

Anxiety disorders can be caused by a variety of reasons.

While every person is unique in the exact factor that plays a role in developing this condition, there are certain characteristics that come into play for most patients, including:

• Brain chemistry
• Genetics
• Life experiences
• Personality

People who suffer from the effects of anxiety disorder can become debilitated at any time, for no apparent reason. This unfortunate reality can make it impossible for a person with anxiety disorder to function in society and hold down a steady job. Medications and psychotherapy are available to help control the effects of anxiety disorder, but these treatment options are not always successful.

If you or a loved one is unable to work because of an anxiety disorder, the experienced Virginia attorneys at Kalfus & Nachman PC in Virginia can help you file the proper Social Security Disability Insurance claims to help with the financial drain of this condition.

Please contact us today for a free consultation at (855) 880-8163.