One of the questions that comes up often regarding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is how to get disability for mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder.
When your bipolar disorder symptoms prevent you from working, you should consider submitting an application for Social Security disability benefits. However, you might have questions: Is bipolar illness regarded as a disability? How likely are you to be granted a disability for bipolar disorder? How are bipolar disorder benefits approved?
Bipolar disorder requires medical documentation demonstrating the severity of the condition and how it affects an individual’s capacity to work. The Social Security Administration’s eligibility requirements must also be satisfied, and candidates must complete the SSDI application process, which may require going to medical examinations.
This article will provide you with in-depth details about applying for benefits due to bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder: Disability Symptoms
A chemical imbalance in the brain that causes extreme mood swings is the root of the crippling condition known as bipolar disorder. It is typically characterized by periods of manic activity, interspersed with very severe depressive episodes.
Bipolar disease can cause tremendous highs and lows that can impact every area of your daily life.
Bipolar disorder can be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance. But you must have solid proof of your incapacitating symptoms to get your application approved.
Know Your Specific Symptoms
Your bipolar disorder symptoms will be reviewed by Social Security when you submit an application because they need to get an understanding of how the illness limits you and affects your ability to work full-time.
Keep in mind that every person with bipolar disorder experiences the illness differently. Bipolar disorder is a distinct ailment that affects people in different ways.
To present an accurate account of how bipolar disorder impacts your life and livelihood, it’s crucial to understand and document your symptoms and how they affect you before seeking benefits.
Episodes Of Bipolar Disorder And Cycling
The particular symptoms you experience will depend on how your bipolar disorder presents. You could experience a manic or depressive bipolar disorder episode. You may occasionally “cycle” between both phases while exhibiting symptoms from both.
Extreme emotional highs and lows are frequent in people with bipolar disorder, as are mood changes that happen suddenly, without warning, or for no apparent reason.
Manic Episodes
You might experience mania or euphoria during the manic phase. When compared to the depressive “low,” this is thought of as a “high.” Manic episodes may involve the following:
- Racing thoughts/distractibility
- Increased energy
- Very high self-esteem
- Euphoric mood
- Impulsiveness
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Making poor decisions
- Decreased need for sleep
- Irritability
Depressive Episodes
You can have severe melancholy or a sense that everything is about to fall apart during the depressive stage. You might move and speak slower than normal during these low swings. You might also nap longer than usual. It is possible that you will even develop paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. Among the signs of a depressive episode are:
- Overwhelming sadness or a profound sense of depression
- Persistent fatigue
- Decreased energy levels
- Sluggish speech
- Difficulties with focus and maintaining attention
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or excessive sleep
- Experiencing feelings of despair and worthlessness
- Loss of interest in activities and the absence of pleasure
- Fluctuations in weight and/or alterations in appetite
- Contemplating self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Mixed State
A mixed state is one feature of bipolar disorder that frequently occurs. That is a period during which a person exhibits traits of both manic and depressive states. Among the signs of a bipolar mixed state are:
- Losing touch with reality
- Excessive anger and belligerence
- Manic behavior
- Clinical depression
- Anxiety and confusion
- Suicidal thoughts
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Delusions
How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis Performed?
Your application for benefits for bipolar disorder must include documentation of your diagnosis. Speaking with a doctor is the first step in getting the proper diagnosis. Your doctor might perform a physical examination, an interview, and lab testing.
Blood tests and brain scans cannot detect bipolar disorder, but they can help rule out other possible causes, such as a stroke or brain tumor. Your doctor might perform a mental health assessment if other conditions do not affect your symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend a psychiatrist or other qualified mental health specialist with experience diagnosing and treating bipolar illness.
Your doctor or mental health specialist will perform a thorough diagnostic assessment. Bipolar disease can strike at any age and affect both men and women. The majority of people first notice the symptoms in their twenties. An estimated 85% of bipolar patients have a history of depression in their families.
To ensure that your bipolar disorder is not inadvertently labeled a major depressive disorder, a thorough and detailed history of symptoms is required.
Several Types Of Bipolar Disorder
The SSA may also inquire about the type of bipolar disorder you have. Bipolar disorder is divided into four types, according to medical experts:
Bipolar I Disorder
For a diagnosis of bipolar I, a minimum of one manic episode, which may be followed by a major depressive or hypomanic episode, is required. Full-blown mania is a symptom of bipolar I disorder.
High energy, sleeplessness, racing thoughts, excessive talkativeness, hallucinations, and delusions are possible symptoms.
Bipolar II Disorder
Though similar to bipolar I disorder, in bipolar II disorder, the elevated mood does not reach full-blown mania. These less-intense elevated moods are referred to as “hypomanic episodes.” Bipolar II may be diagnosed if you have at least one hypomanic episode and one depressed episode.
People with bipolar II are not known to experience psychotic episodes, in contrast to individuals with bipolar I. They may, however, experience severe depression.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by episodes of sadness and hypomania/mania that have occurred over at least two years, although not to a significant degree.
Over time, you may experience manic and depressed episodes, but not frequently enough to meet the strict criteria for severe depression. However, there are moments when people with cyclothymic disorder struggle to function.
Bipolar Affective Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)
When you exhibit certain bipolar disorder symptoms but none fit into one of the other three categories mentioned, you may receive a diagnosis of “unspecified bipolar disorder,” or bipolar affective disorder NOS.
Bipolar disorder NOS is a mood disorder in which a patient doesn’t meet the criteria for bipolar disorder. The symptoms you experience may be similar to bipolar disorder, but the full criteria for a diagnosis of bipolar I, II, or cyclothymia aren’t met.
Proving Disability Due To Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can be very upsetting and incapacitating. It is a disorder that can significantly impact both your personal and professional life. You shouldn’t, however, expect the SSA to be aware of how your particular ailments affect both you and your job. This is why medical documentation is so important for receiving SSDI benefits.
If you want your claim to be approved, you must justify how each of your symptoms interferes with your ability to carry out your job tasks.
For instance, you can be so exhausted and unable to get out of bed during a depressive episode that you must call in sick to work. During a crucial meeting or phone conversation with your biggest client, you might not be able to concentrate or pay attention due to your incapacitating symptoms.
Or you might procrastinate and miss deadlines due to your lack of interest, low energy, and depressing thoughts. These factors could also make normal chores appear excessively unpleasant.
You may decide to blow off work for the day while experiencing a manic episode. In the event that you do arrive at work, your increased vigor can force you to speak quickly, scare off a potential client, or let you down during a presentation.
Fights with coworkers, interruptions during meetings, or a lack of capacity to take criticism from your employer may result from your irritation. If your job requires attention to detail, it might be particularly problematic if you miss a key detail from a document due to your racing thoughts and other distractions.
There are numerous ways that bipolar disorder symptoms can make it difficult for you to work. When submitting your application, you must detail these in your supporting documentation.
Personal Narrative Writing
It is important to clarify to SSA how your particular symptoms restrict you from carrying out your job tasks. You can accomplish this by writing a thorough story to include with your application for benefits.
Often, it is beneficial if the narrative tackles each of your symptoms individually. Since the majority of bipolar disorder symptoms are subjective, your narrative should touch on the severity of your symptoms as well as the elements that cause or aggravate them.
Doctor’s Medical Records
SSA will also want medical records from your doctor(s) when deciding whether your bipolar disorder is disabling. Support from your doctor is crucial. The reports from your doctor should center on the following:
- How often and how severe your symptoms are
- Any mental health examination results
- Firsthand observations of you during office visits
- The particular constraints and obstacles that stop you from working
Neuropsychological Assessment
You might consider getting a neuropsychological evaluation in addition to describing your personal experience and obtaining reports from your physicians. Your cognitive health will be measured through a neuropsychological assessment.
The effects of bipolar disorder on your memory, learning perception, problem-solving, processing speed, linguistic skills, and executive functioning, among other things, are measured objectively and scientifically by neuropsychological testing.
Aside from neuropsychological testing, the evaluation typically includes screening for any major or secondary psychological problems. Additionally, validity testing will be used to show how reliable the test results are.
Your account, the endorsement of your physician, and additional neuropsychological testing will all significantly strengthen your claim for benefits due to bipolar disorder.
Appropriate Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
The SSA will examine your application for benefits for bipolar disorder to see whether you are receiving the right care. They will still need evidence that you are receiving continuing treatment for your disease, even if your claim is approved.
The SSA can use non-compliance and a lack of proper care as an excuse to reject or end your claim for bipolar disorder, so make sure you keep all treatment appointments. Your therapy team should include specialists like a psychiatrist and/or psychologist to demonstrate suitable treatment. Treatment choices could be:
Medications
Antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety drugs are all possible prescriptions from your doctor. It can take some time (and some trial and error) before you and your doctor identify the appropriate medications.
Psychotherapy
Your doctor may suggest psychotherapy, which may include the following:
- Individual counseling to assist you in addressing specific problem areas, recognizing your symptoms, and managing your stress
- Cognitive behavioral therapy to assist you in identifying negative thoughts, changing your behaviors, and developing coping mechanisms
- Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy to assist you in developing a routine for daily activities such as sleeping, eating, diet, and exercise
- Family-focused therapy to assist you in educating your family about the problems you are experiencing and developing coping mechanisms
Day Treatment Facilities
An outpatient day treatment program created to assist you in identifying and managing your symptoms may be recommended by your doctor.
Hospitalization
Your doctor may advise you to stay in an inpatient hospital if you are having suicidal thoughts, acting in a risky manner, or experiencing psychotic episodes, such as paranoia, delusions, irrational thoughts, or hallucinations.
Symptoms can be addressed, moods can be stabilized, and you can remain calm and safe while receiving treatment at an inpatient facility.
Electroshock Treatment
Even though it is infrequently used, electroconvulsive therapy can be beneficial if you have severe depression or mania that is not eased by drugs or other forms of treatment. Again, it is critical to heed your doctor’s advice.
The SSA will want proof that you are receiving therapy and trying to improve your symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Bipolar disorder can profoundly affect a person’s ability to work and support themselves. While it is possible to receive disability benefits for bipolar disorder, it requires strong evidence and careful documentation.
Your approval chances will greatly improve if you know how to support your claim. For your claim for bipolar disorder to be approved, your claim must be adequately supported by medical documentation.
Describing in detail how your symptoms prevent you from carrying out your professional responsibilities is crucial. You must provide a detailed account of how your well-being is impacted.
