As you probably know, PTSD stands for “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder“, and it’s where you have negative symptoms due to surviving an event that is distressful. It happens a lot for military veterans, or for people who survived accidents or sexual abuse.
You may have sudden flashbacks over the event, and you may feel anxious over the event possibly happening again. You may have nightmares, too. This can lead to emotional issues, sleepless nights, and you may need to have therapy to treat it.
Depending on the severity, it may affect how you work.
Certain work environments may remind the person of the event that caused their trauma, or perhaps their symptoms make it more difficult for them to work. For example, if their PTSD makes them angry, it may be difficult to do a customer service job. Sometimes, working with PTSD can be outright dangerous. You may have an anxiety attack while doing construction work and injure yourself in the process.
Not all work is dangerous, of course, but sometimes, your PTSD may make it difficult for you to do even sedentary work. If your work requires you to concentrate, it may be difficult for you to do your tasks due to your symptoms.
PTSD is a spectrum. Some people may be able to work without any problems, while others may not be able to work at all. You may wonder if you can receive SSDI benefits if you have PTSD.
Yes, you can. However, a mental disorder is sometimes more hard to prove than a physical one. People can see your injuries, but they may have more difficulty knowing what goes inside your head. Some people may present themselves normally and may not have an episode when they are making their case. There are also some people who may exaggerate or even fake a mental disorder in order to have benefits, so it makes proving the disorder more difficult for those who have it.
When applying for benefits, you need to have as much evidence as possible. Notes from your doctor, up to date medical documentation, instances when you’ve had episodes, and as much proof as you can possibly have. Talk to an attorney or advocate and see what the best evidence you have is, and present it.
It can be difficult depending on your circumstances.
In cases such as these, you may want to look into an attorney to increase your chances of success. An attorney can help you present your case in the best possible manner in order for you to increase your chances of getting approved. Attorneys who specialize in SSDI are also affordable for anyone, as they usually charge a percentage of the SSA’s back payments to you rather than one big fee.
Treating PTSD is not fun, and many people may not understand what you go through, including the SSA itself. When applying for disability, gather as much evidence as possible, hire an attorney if needed, and get those benefits you deserve.