Introduction
Most people feel sad or depressed at times, but major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, severe form of depression. This type of depression affects your life, relationships, entertainment, and work.
In some cases, depression can be severe enough that you can no longer work or function at your previous speed or level of productivity. When this happens, it’s important to know your housing and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) rights.
What is depression?
Depression is a common medical and mental health condition that causes you to feel sad or lose interest in everyday life. Depression has a great impact on the way you think, feel, and act.
Depression is very common all over the world. The World Health Organization estimates that around 5% of adults have some form of depression.
Symptoms of depression
The manifestations of depression and the degree of these manifestations in each particular case may be different. Symptoms may include:
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Adjustment in occupational settings
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Depressive disorder
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Feelings of shame and worthlessness
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Self-reproach hysterically blaming for earlier activities
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Annoyance or irritability that can trigger shouting for the silliest reasons
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Exhaustion, lethargy
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Hyper arousal
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Difficulties in sleeping and excessive sleep
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Fantasize acting or making a speech
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Suicidal ideation
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Changes in body mass due to eating disorders or other reasons
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Reasons contributing to the development of depression
There are numerous conditions that will bring on depression..
Environmental factors
Living in an environment of abuse, neglect, poverty, or violence can increase your risk of depression.
Genetics
Depression can run in families, especially if depression is caused by problems with your brain chemistry.
Identity
Certain personality types may be more susceptible to depression, such as people with a pessimistic outlook or easily overwhelmed by stress
Who can have depression?
Depression can affect people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and races.
Women are diagnosed with depression more often than men, but men can be depressed too. Because men are less likely to recognize, talk and seek help for their feelings or emotional problems, depression symptoms are more likely to go undiagnosed or undiagnosed.
Some types of depression include:
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Major depressive disorder
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LGBTQIA+ community indicates a higher prevalence of depression and enhanced probabilities of a disorder myself.
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How do you know if you are suffering from depression?
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If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms, you may be depressed most days, almost every day, for at least 2 weeks:
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Depressed affect, which might be described as sad or anxious or giving a sense of feeling empty.
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Such hopelessness or pessimism
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Hunger, thirst, reproductive feelings, and even pains.
A person may develop a feeling of guilt, worthlessness or she / he feels that they can’t do anything.
In the case of depression, they lose the ability of interest or pleasure in things such as entertainment and activities.
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Cooling down, slowed down, relief
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Schedule fluctuations or simply – weight gain or loss.
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Thoughts of death or suicide
Mental health depression symptoms affect the day to day activities and causes much discomfort to the affected individual.
People having depression might have change in their behavior and mood:
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Increased anger or resentment
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Feeling anxious or on edge
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Introversive, pessimistic, or introverted
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High risk taking behaviors
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great encouragement
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Too much drinking of alcohol or intake of substances which are socially unhappy.
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Besides your family and friends
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Failure to successfully complete work and family obligations or to fail to effectively take up other roles
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Sexual dysfunction or sexual impotence
It is now evident that depression occurs differently in men and women. Indeed, both men, female and other gender identities can develop depression, but they may all exhibit the symptoms differently and may rely on different manifestation behaviors. For instance there are men who (like women) can display other emotions rather than sadness or anger. This means that men will use alcohol or drugs while heavy alcohol or drug use can be a coping mechanism adopted while dealing with depression.
At times, one can present with psychological disorders in a somatic way that is, as a physical illness. For instance, irregular or palpitations, chest discomfort, migraines or chronic heartburn and nausea. Men therefore tend to seek the services of health professionals more frequently for these physical conditions than for the emotional ones.
Since depression fosters a negative perception and cognition regarding self and world, some people might also have thoughts of suicide or even attempt to commit suicide.
However, any number of symptoms and not only several constant ones should be present to get a diagnosis of depression, but, still, people with any number of symptoms can turn to treatment. Intensity and the number of symptoms, their duration, the dependence on the subject, the disease, and the disease stage are very individual.
If you are having some sign or symptoms of depression and you still notice them or they do not fade away, consult your doctor. There could be inkling of depression that you probably observe from someone, it is advisable to recommend them to seek for the help of a psychologist.
Is depression a disability?
Research also indicates that depression is different from disability as has been discussed above
Kinds of depression
Your insurance company may want to know what type of depression you are suffering from. Several types of depression can have similar symptoms, but are classified according to duration and severity. There are typical symptoms of other types of depressive disorders.
Solely defined as major depression, this is a type of generalized depression where the episodes from the symptoms are usually depressive episodes and differ from chronic depressive symptoms, lasting several weeks to some months on average.
Persistent depressive disorders
This is a type of depression whose symptoms are akin to those of major depressive disorder, which lasts for not less than two years. Nevertheless, the symptoms may range and can be even more serious than the one diagnosed to be Major depressive disorder – another major depressive disorder.
Bipolar disorder
Mania: Those who have Bipolar Disorder are not the same as those who have Major Depressive Disorder, Chronic Depressive Disorder or any other depressive disorders as they have manic episodes besides their depressive ones.
How do you prove you can’t work because of depression?
Anyone who has experienced clinical depression understands that it can wreak havoc on your career and relationships. However, insurance companies do not necessarily understand how your individual symptoms will affect you and your business.
For instance, when experience a depressive episode , you cannot leave your bed because you are depressed and cannot wake up to call in sick . You may be obsessed with your weak signals and cannot pay attention, concentrate, or concentrate on something big like a meeting or a telephone call with your largest client. Or weak motivation, tiredness and depressive symptoms may make daily activities too challenging or miss tight deadlines..
There are many ways that depressive symptoms can impair your ability to function. This should be clearly stated in your evidence when you submit your claim.
Get appropriate treatment for depression
Medication:
Your doctor can prescribe mood stabilizers; Antibiotics; antidepressants; and anti-anxiety medications. It may take some time (trial and error) before you and your doctor find the right medicine or treatment.
Psychotherapy:
Your doctor may recommend psychotherapy, which may include individualized counseling (to help you address specific problem areas, recognize your symptoms, and manage your stress); cognitive behavioral therapy (to help you identify negative thoughts, change your behavior, and develop coping strategies); and individual and social rhythm therapy (helping with activities of daily living such as sleep, eating, nutrition, and exercise).
Day care program
Your doctor may recommend a hospital day care program designed to help you recognize and control your symptoms.
Hospitalization
Inpatient care can help resolve your symptoms, stabilize your mood, and keep you comfortable and safe while doing so.
Electroconvulsive therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy, although rarely used, can help if you are experiencing severe depression that is not relieved by medication or other treatments. Get appropriate treatment for depression
Medication
Your doctor can prescribe mood stabilizers; Antibiotics; antidepressants; and anti-anxiety medications. It may take some time (trial and error) before you and your doctor find the right medicine or treatment.
Psychotherapy
Your doctor may recommend psychotherapy, which may include individualized counseling (to help you address specific problem areas, recognize your symptoms, and manage your stress); cognitive behavioral therapy (to help you identify negative thoughts, change your behavior, and develop coping strategies); and individual and social rhythm therapy (helping with activities of daily living such as sleep, eating, nutrition, and exercise).
Is it difficult to acquire disability paybacks for depression?
The SSA often looks at several factors when deciding benefits. For example, you must show at least five of the following symptoms:
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Energy is reduced
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Excessive sleep or insomnia
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Depression
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Decreased interest in activities
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Slow speech or physical movement
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Feeling guilty or worthless
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Suicidal thoughts
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It is difficult to think about or to conclude
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Poor appetite with fatigue or overeating with excess weight
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You must also provide evidence from your doctor that your depression has lasted for at least twelve months. A disability attorney can take steps to review your situation to determine if you are eligible to file a claim.
How much compensation can you get for depression?
The amount of SSDI you are offered for depression depends on your pre-tax income. Generally, the SSA bases your income share on your median income. People with higher average incomes may receive more SSDI benefits.
Your attorney can review your employment history and provide more information about disability benefits.
How much SSI do you get for depression?
The workings of SSI benefits are different from SSDI benefits. The SSI system is not tied to your prior earnings, nor is it based on them, that means it is not funded in the same way. Under normal circumstances, you can draw it even if you have never worked or contributed to Social Security. Hence, SSI benefits do not alter with the average income per head.
Instead, he will receive $841 per month in SSI benefits in 2022. Spouses receive $1,261, and those with disabilities or caregivers receive $421.
To receive SSI benefits, you must meet the eligibility criteria and only qualify for this fund if you have a limited amount of assets. Your attorney can review your financial situation to determine if you qualify for this type of compensation.
For how many years can one receive SSDI for depression?.
Once you become qualified for SSDI benefits, you can still be receiving the benefits until the time you are disabled. However, if you keep on entering benefits until the age of retirement and beyond, then your benefits shall transfer to Social Security retirement benefits.
It warrants that were given out if they note that the length of years one can receive SSDI benefits does not entitle payment. You may be cured or be fit to go back to work. Sometimes your benefits may be canceled or cut off due to your circumstances as highlighted below.
Under certain circumstances, you may be qualified to receive SSDI and/or SSI benefits because of depression that is really severe. These can be claimed by a disability attorney.
There are several types of mental health conditions that can cause disability, including:
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senile
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depression
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bipolar disorder
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obsessive compulsive disorder
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schizophrenia
Conclusion
Depression is a severe medical disorder that can lead to disability. Knowing how to prove your claim will increase your chances of approval. To approve your depression long-term disability claim, you must support your claim with sufficient medical evidence and evidence of appropriate treatment. It is also important to explain (in detail) why your symptoms are preventing you from performing your job duties.