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Social Security Disability for Mental Illnesses

Mental illnesses that can be covered by Social Security disability include depression, anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and intellectual disability. Cognitive problems such as those that stem from traumatic brain injuries, Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, age-related memory problems also fall under the umbrella of mental illness.

You can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if your mental illness keeps you from working full-time.

Learn about the different types of mental status and psychological evaluations there are for Social Security disability.

For anxiety disorders, Social Security will want to see documentation that you've been receiving medical treatment for your symptoms.

Agoraphobia, the fear of public places, can be a crippling anxiety disorder. If the agoraphobia is well-documented and makes full-time employment impossible, Social Security Disability benefits may be available.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can be so disruptive to a person’s life that it becomes impossible to work.

Social Security awards disability benefits to people who have depression or bipolar disorder that is severe enough to keep them from working.

You might qualify for Social Security disability benefits if your panic attacks occur frequently and last long enough to keep you from working.

Proper medical documentation is the basis of a successful Social Security disability claim for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Learn about disability and schizophrenia, including how Social Security decides whether you're eligible for benefits.

Written by a psychiatrist and former SSA medical consultant, Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability explains the disability requirements for dozens of mental, emotional, and cognitive problems.

Nolo's book covers Medicaid rules for seniors and persons with disabilities.

SSI disability benefits may be available for children who have severe limitations as a result of ADHD or ADD.

The SSA will grant disability benefits based on low IQ scores only if an applicant also has difficulty with work-related functioning.

You may qualify for disability if you have significant cognitive decline that keeps you from working for at least a year.

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