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Can you qualify for SSDI with a mental illness?

If you ask the average person for an example of a disability, they’re probably going to mention a physical ailment. They could note that someone may be unable to walk after a spinal cord injury, for instance, or that someone was born without the ability to see. 

These are definitely good examples of disabilities — but what about mental health conditions? These can be just as disabling as anything physical, though they are often harder for outsiders to fully grasp or understand. That does not change the validity of these conditions in any way — and you certainly can obtain Social Security Disability (SSDI) for a mental illness that has become debilitating.

What are some common examples of disabling mental conditions?

As with physical disabilities, every case must be considered for its own merit. That said, the following are some of the more common mental health disorders noted by the Social Security Administration

  • Eating disorders
  • Neurocognitive disorders
  • Stressor/trauma-related disorders
  • Schizophrenia spectrum disorders
  • Depressive and bipolar disorders
  • Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
  • Intellectual disorder
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Somatic symptom disorders
  • impulse-control disorders
  • Personality disorders

Exactly how much each of these may impact your life depends on many factors. Not everyone with one of the disorders listed above will be unable to work. Each case is unique, which is why it is so important to work with medical professionals and mental health experts who can help to make a diagnosis and get the process started. 

If your SSDI claim has been denied, you have a right to an appeals process. Getting an SSDI claim approved isn’t easy. It’s often wisest to xseek experienced legal assistance with your appeal.