At Andalman & Flynn, we are passionate about helping those who have mental disabilities, including clinical depression. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. If you are struggling with this difficult condition and cannot work, we are here to help you apply for depression disability benefits. We are familiar with the complex array of symptoms associated with depression.
Contact us to speak with an experienced disability attorney on our team, and we’ll fight to get you the depression disability benefits you deserve.
What Is Depression?
Everyone becomes sad or low at some point in their life. However, simply being sad or feeling down does not qualify as clinical depression. According to WebMD, when feelings of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness last for many days, weeks, months, and even years, you may be suffering from the medical condition known as depression. Such feelings can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks, attend work, or adequately perform any type of work.
According to WebMD and the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), a handbook that describes mental illnesses, an individual has clinical depression when at least five of the following symptoms occur:
- Feeling depressed throughout the day, especially in the morning
- Loss of energy most days (fatigue)
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Loss of interest in activities that were previously found enjoyable
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
- Significant weight loss or weight gain; significant appetite loss or gain
- A sense of restlessness or being slowed down
- Pessimism
- Feeling “empty”
These symptoms must be present almost every day or at least every day for two weeks to be considered for depression disability benefits. Such depressive symptoms must also cause significant impairment to one’s daily lifestyle to qualify as the mental disorder; symptoms cannot be the result of another factor (such as drugs or medication).
How Common Is Depression?
In the U.S., about 14.8 million adults suffer from major depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. If untreated, symptoms can worsen and may result in suicide. Shockingly, for people between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
When Your Condition Qualifies as Depression Disability
Despite treatment, if symptoms remain chronic and debilitating, individuals suffering from depression often have major difficulty performing normal, everyday tasks. Simply getting out of bed can be impossible to someone with depression, so someone who is depressed may have difficulty working their normal job. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a listing, included in the Listing of Impairments, Section 12.04 A and B, that explains when the condition qualifies as a depression disability and thus for depression disability benefits.
Consult with Experienced Depression Lawyers
If you suffer from clinical depression and it has made you unable to perform your work duties, contact Andalman & Flynn. Our disability benefits attorneys are experienced in representing individuals throughout the country who are struggling with this difficult condition. We offer initial consultations free of charge to our disability clients. If you are interested in setting up a meeting with one of our experienced depression lawyers, either in person or by phone, please fill out an online contact form or call us at 301-563-6685.