More than 40 million Americans suffer from some form of mental illness. Mood disorders are the most common mental disorder. While many mood disorders are mild in nature and have a limited impact on one's ability to support themselves and their families, some mood disorders can be very debilitating in nature. Unable to control one's moods and emotions, the disorder often makes it hard to cope with normal, everyday life. Performing the daily responsibilities of full-time work can be nearly impossible. If you or someone you know is suffering from a mood disorder and are unable to work because of the condition, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help alleviate some of the financial difficulties caused by the condition. The following information can help you understand what a mood disorder is and how it affects a person's eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits.

Mood Disorder - Condition and Symptoms

The term “mood disorder” is given to a broad range of mental illnesses that cause an interference with an individual's mood and emotions. Depression and bipolar disorder are two of the most common mood disorders diagnosed, although the term can be given to any condition that affects one's emotional well-being and mood stability.

There is no one single cause for mood disorders. Some people suffer from the condition due to a traumatic event while others have a genetic predisposition to a mood disorder. Other cases may be related to the chemistry in the brain and some are even caused by something as simple as allergies. There are a variety of conditions that can lead to a mood disorder. Singling out the cause is not always possible, although doing so can sometimes help in the treatment of the condition.

Mood disorders fall into the categories of depression-related mood disorders and anxiety-related mood disorders. Bipolar disorder and clinical depression are the two most common types of depression-related mood disorders. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, stress disorders and generalized anxiety disorder are the most commonly diagnosed anxiety-related mood disorders.

There is no laboratory test that can be conducted to diagnose a mood disorder. Instead, the condition is usually diagnosed through a series of sessions with a qualified psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will often use a questionnaire to help diagnose the condition, relying heavily on the patient's responses to questions and his or her own observations of the patient's behavior to diagnose the mood disorder and determine from which type of disorder the patient is suffering.

There is currently no cure for mood disorders. Fortunately, mood disorders can be controlled through therapy treatments and prescription medications. The medications prescribed to an individual suffering from a mood disorder will depend on the type of mood disorder the individual has been diagnosed with and the severity of the disorder. Some patients will need anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications while others will need a combination of medications to effectively control the condition.

It is important to note that most of the medications that are used to treat mood disorders do not work immediately and it may take weeks or even months before a patient sees a difference in their condition. In some cases, treatment may be able to lessen the symptoms of the mood disorder but will not make a significant impact on one's ability to cope with day-to-day stress and responsibilities.

Filing for Social Security Disability with a Mood Disorder

Proving that you are unable to work due to a mood disorder can be challenging. It is not, however, impossible to get Social Security Disability benefits due to a mood disorder.

When applying for Social Security Disability benefits, the examiner reviewing your disability claim will refer to a listing of impairments that is published by the Social Security Administration. Conditions like bipolar disorder and depression are mentioned in this publication. If you suffer from a mood disorder that is listed in the SSA's published guidelines and your specific condition meets the qualifying criteria listed in the publication, it will be much easier to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

If your condition does not meet the published criteria or it is not listed in the SSA's published guidelines, you may still be able to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits but you will need to work harder to prove your case to the Social Security Administration. This can be accomplished by providing sufficient medical evidence to support your disability claim. Psychiatric evaluations, therapy sessions and a complete medical history can go a long way in proving your disability to the Social Security Administration, as can statements from the professionals who are treating your condition.

Mood Disorder and Your Social Security Disability Case

If you are suffering from a mood disorder and are unable to work due to the condition, you should consider applying for Social Security Disability benefits. If your application for benefits is denied during the initial stage of the disability application process, do not worry. Approximately 70 percent of disability claims are denied at the initial application stage. If yours is among the many applications that are initially denied, you will need to file an appeal in order to receive the disability benefits to which you are entitled. The good news is that two-thirds of disability cases are won at the hearing stage of the disability appeal process.

You can increase your chances of receiving a favorable decision by retaining the services of a qualified Social Security Disability attorney. If you need assistance filing a claim for Social Security Disability or if you have been denied disability benefits, contact a disability attorney in your area to review your Social Security Disability case.

Everyone has bad days and all of us have gone through periods of feeling “down”. Maybe even a bit hopeless at times. Those who suffer from clinical Depression, however, experience these feelings constantly. They lose their zest for life. Their interest in hobbies and enjoyable activities begins to deteriorate. Relationships can suffer and, in many cases, the Depression can become almost crippling. It is no surprise that those who suffer from severe clinical Depression are often unable to work.

Bipolar Disorder can be a frustrating and challenging condition to live with. The emotional ups and downs that are caused by Bipolar Disorder are enough to leave anyone's head spinning. Some days you may be able to climb mountains. Other days it's impossible to even get yourself out of bed. Unfortunately, this mental roller coaster can interfere with an individual's ability to maintain employment and the resulting financial stress can be devastating. In some cases, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help.

Everyone has experienced some degree of fear at some point in time. What happens when that fear grows out of control? What happens when panic sets in for no reason and without warning? Not just a “bad feeling”, but full-blown, heart-pounding panic? Millions of people live their lives having to endure these feelings. One moment they are fine, the next minute panic sets in without any warning or reason. This can have a devastating impact on one's quality of life and their ability to function in the world. Some of the people who suffer from panic attacks are unable to sustain employment and the financial stress only adds to the emotional difficulties. For some of these individuals, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help. If you have been suffering from panic attacks and your condition has prevented you from earning an income, the following information can help you understand the Social Security Disability application process and how the Social Security Administration evaluates disability claims based on chronic panic attacks.

Panic Attacks - Condition and Symptoms

Everyone experiences panic on occasion, but individuals who suffer from panic attacks feel intense feelings of fear that are associated with severe physical symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, tightness in the chest, trouble breathing and increased heart rate. These physical symptoms can be so severe that individuals may confuse it with a heart attack. To make matters worse, panic attacks are not attributed to any specific cause or event and seem to appear without reason or warning.

The physical manifestation of a panic attack is often accompanied by intense, irrational fear. The individual suffering the attack may feel as if something horrible is going to happen. Many individuals report feeling as though they are going to die or as if they are going insane. Panic attacks usually last less than one hour, although they tend to leave an individual feeling completely drained after the attack has passed.

Panic attacks can be terrifying. If a person begins to suffer from frequent attacks they may begin to live in fear of panic attacks, adding to the severity of the condition. Some individuals may become afraid to leave the house, worrying that a panic attack will develop while they are in public. If a person suffers from four or more panic attacks and they begin to live in fear of developing another, they can be diagnosed as having chronic panic attacks.

The causes of panic attacks may vary. In some cases, a cause for chronic panic attacks may never be discovered. In other cases, the condition may be caused by stress, genetics or an error in the way the body produces adrenaline. While there is no specific laboratory test that can diagnose chronic panic attacks, a doctor can diagnose the condition by documenting patient experiences and medical history. If other conditions are ruled out and there is no underlying cause for the symptoms, a diagnosis of chronic panic attacks can be made.

While there is no cure for chronic panic attacks, treatments are available to help control the symptoms of the condition. Anti-anxiety medication can often help the severity and frequency of chronic panic attacks. Unfortunately, treatment cannot always completely prevent the attacks from occurring.

Filing for Social Security Disability with Panic Attacks

When a person files for Social Security Disability benefits, the Social Security employee reviewing the claim will refer to a listing of impairments published by the Social Security Administration. Unfortunately panic attacks do not have a separate listing covered under these published guidelines. While that does not mean that a person who is diagnosed with chronic panic attacks cannot qualify for disability benefits, it does make it a little harder to do so.

In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to panic attacks you will need to prove to the Social Security Administration that your condition is so severe that it prevents you from performing substantial gainful work activity. When discussing your condition with your doctor, make sure that you discuss how your condition limits you from performing normal day-to-day activities. Documented medical notes detailing these limitations will help you prove your disability case.

Panic Attacks and Your Social Security Disability Case

If you are applying for Social Security Disability benefits due to panic attacks, it might be hard for you to prove your disability case. On account of this, your initial application for Social Security Disability benefits may be denied. If it is, do not become discouraged. It is important to remember that approximately 70 percent of disability applications are denied at the initial stage of the application process.

If your initial application for Social Security Disability benefits is denied, you will need to file an appeal to reverse the Social Security Administration's decision to deny your benefits. The good news is approximately two-thirds of appeals are decided in favor of the applicant at the hearing level of the Social Security Disability appeals process. You can increase your chances of a successful appeal by retaining the services of a qualified Social Security Disability attorney.

A Social Security Disability lawyer can help you file an initial application or appeal a disability denial if panic attacks have prevented you from maintaining employment. Click here to contact a Social Security Disability attorney to discuss your disability case and to begin the Social Security Disability appeal process.

Autism is estimated to affect anywhere from three to six children out of every 1,000 living in the United States, and that number may be going up. Experts estimate that the occurrence of autism has increased tenfold over the past decade. The limitations caused by an autistic condition can create significant financial hardships for the individual's family. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to offset some of the financial burden caused by the condition. If you or someone you know is living with autism, you may be wondering how the condition affects an individual's eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits. The following information can help you understand the Social Security Disability application process and how the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews disability claims based on an autistic condition.

Autism - Condition and Symptoms

The disorders that fall into the autism spectrum are characterized by difficulties with communication, social impairments and specific patterns of behavior. The most severe disorder in this spectrum is referred to as autism, classical ASD or autistic disorder. Other forms of autism, such as Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder are also forms of autism, but are less severe.

Autism is almost always diagnosed during childhood and usually by the age of three. Children who have autism normally display the common symptoms of the condition, such as impaired social functioning, withdrawn behavior, a lack of empathy, repetitive movements, the inability to understand social cues, delayed speech development and self-abusive behaviors. Children with autism are also at a higher risk of having Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, epilepsy, learning disabilities, ADD and Tourette syndrome. Studies show that as many as 30 percent of the children who are diagnosed with autism will go on to experience epileptic seizures by the time they become adults.

In some situations autism can be difficult to diagnose. When diagnosing the condition, doctors will often use questionnaires and other screening tools in an effort to gather information about the child's behavior and developmental history. The observations of parents and medical professionals are also used together to help diagnose a child with the condition. Neurological assessments and cognitive tests are normally conducted in order to determine the severity of the condition.

If a child is diagnosed with autism he or she should undergo psychotherapy treatment and special education classes in order to help manage the condition. There is no cure for autism, but proper care and treatment can help manage the symptoms and teach the child proper coping techniques and behaviors.

Filing for Social Security Disability with Autism

Every Social Security Disability application that is received by the SSA is reviewed very carefully. When an application for disability benefits is made based on an autistic condition, the examiner reviewing the disability claim will refer to the SSA's “Blue Book” of listed disabling impairments. Autism is covered in this published listing of impairments under Section 112.10.

It is important to understand that this section of the guidelines pertains to children who are applying for Social Security Disability benefits. If you are an adult who is applying for disability benefits based on autism, it may be more difficult to obtain the benefits you are entitled to. It is not, however, impossible to do so. You will just need enough evidence proving that the condition is severe enough to prevent you from performing substantial gainful work activity.

In order to provide the SSA with enough evidence, you will need to provide a complete medical history as well as other documentation. School records, psychotherapy documentation and statements from treating physicians and other medical professionals can help support your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.

Autism and Your Social Security Disability Case

In severe cases of autism it is not uncommon for an initial application for Social Security Disability benefits to be approved. In cases that are not so straightforward, however, an appeal may be necessary. The SSA only approves 30 percent of the disability claims received each year. The other 70 percent are denied at the initial stage of the application process and applicants must go on to file an appeal in order to receive the Social Security Disability benefits they need.

If you are applying for disability benefits or have already been denied, you should consider consulting with a Social Security Disability attorney who is familiar with autism disability cases. Chances are that you will need to appear before an administrative law judge at an appeal hearing if your initial application for benefits is denied. Statistics indicate that your chances of receiving a favorable decision at all stages of the Social Security Disability process are increased with proper legal representation.

Individuals who live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (also known as ADHD) are normally able to live normal, productive lives with little to no interference from the condition as long as it is controlled with medication. Unfortunately, in some situations, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be quite severe and may result in an individual's inability to perform gainful work activity. Fortunately, if a case of ADHD is interfering with an individual's ability to earn an income, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help.

Your exhibit file is an internal name used by Social Security to describe your case file. Your file will also be presented with an exhibit list, which is a list of each item in the file. The information in your file will include all of your applications, any appeals you have filed as well as any medical records relevant to your case. The file will also contain information from Disability Determination Services (DDS) office about the extent of your disability.

An exhibit file is maintained in order to be able to process your claim efficiently. Having the file also gives your disability attorney and the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) the same set of information to work from as they process your case. Each item in your file will be given a reference number so that adjudicators can work through your case quickly.

The file is compiled by the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). Both you and the Social Security Administration (SSA) have the right to view and add information to the file when necessary. If your disability claim has been denied, then you should go in person to ODAR handling your case and request a copy of your file. It is important to request a copy of your exhibit file as soon as possible, in order to give your disability lawyer ample time to make a case on your behalf. A qualified attorney can make sure that all the necessary information is on file with the SSA.

As you move through your working career you pay into the Social Security benefits system. You can then begin to draw on these benefits if you are faced with a permanent disability or decide to retire. If you become deceased these benefits don't just disappear. Those benefits, called survivor benefits, will be passed on to your surviving family members.

Sometimes the Social Security Administration (SSA) temporarily pays Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits if it considers your case to be a presumptive disability case. The SSA will award presumptive disability payments when the SSA has evidence in file that strongly suggests that a person will be found disabled but still needs more evidence to make its final decision. The SSA can choose to temporarily provide benefits until it gathers the evidence it needs to make its final decision.