“According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 280 million people worldwide have depression, which is around 3.8% of the global population.” It is known to cause immense emotional distress and hinder a person’s ability to function when left untreated. Because of this, depression or MDD is considered a psychiatric disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are unable to sustain a job or support yourself due to your depression, there are certain things you need to do to qualify for disability benefits.
Diagnosis and Symptoms
First, you will need to be diagnosed by a qualified medical professional. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is diagnosed using the DSM-V, which outlines criteria of the disorder. Typical symptoms to determine if you have MDD include the following:
These symptoms must occur on most days for two or more consecutive weeks.
- persistent sadness
- hopelessness and emptiness
- irritability and anxiety
- appetite changes
- sudden weight gain or loss
- feelings of guilt and worthlessness
- unexplained aches and pains
- insomnia or oversleeping
- excessive fatigue
- concentration difficulties
- memory problems
- suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Getting a proper diagnosis is not always linear. There are other factors that can influence a diagnosis including an individual’s medical and family history, as well as any substance abuse issues.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, MDD is the leading cause of disability for people between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States. Despite this, there are quite a few hoops to jump through in order to be considered eligible for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports, “In order to get assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the ADA requires that a disability “substantially limit” at least one life activity. These can include but are not limited to:
- Learning
- Thinking
- Concentrating
- Interacting with others
- Caring for oneself
- Speaking
- Performing manual task
- Working
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI is the first program you may consider if depression has disrupted your ability to work. To qualify for the program, you must:
- have a disability that affects your ability to work for a year or more, or will result in death.
- have worked and contributed to social security for at least 5 of the last 10 years
The exact SSDI benefits you receive depend on your individual contributions to the Social Security system during your working years. If you’re the spouse, ex-spouse, or child of someone getting disability, you may qualify for Family Benefits as well.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
“You may qualify for SSI benefits in addition to SSDI. SSI is designed to help if you have both a low income and few assets. To qualify you must have:
- a proven inability to work due to depression that’s documented by a medical professional
- low income based on your location
- fewer than $2,000 in assets, excluding your home, car, burial savings, and wedding rings
- if you’re married, your spouse must also have a low income, and you can’t have more than a combined total of $3,000 in assets”
Psychosis
The National Library of Medicine also highlights major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features, also known as psychotic depression. This is a serious mental health condition that requires immediate medical attention. It's characterized by a combination of unipolar major depressive symptoms and psychosis, or a loss of touch with reality.
“Multiple studies have found that patients with psychotic mood disorders demonstrate significantly poorer cognitive performance in a variety of areas than those with nonpsychotic mood disorders.” It is also more likely that people with psychotic depression are more likely to have treatment resistant depression, which typically qualifies someone as having a disability.
Some examples of psychosis include:
- Thinking you hear voices saying negative things about you
- Hallucinating
- Believing things that are not, in fact, true
- Slowed thoughts, movements, and feelings
- A period where you are unable to move, speak, or respond to your environment
- Believing you have a serious health concern, despite multiple tests showing otherwise
- Believing you have unique or special powers
- Believing you’re a famous person or historical figure
- Severe paranoia
Getting treatment is critical if you think you or a loved one may be suffering with MDD. Excel Psychiatry leaves us with a powerful point, “While seeking treatment and support is essential, it’s equally important to educate yourself and others about MDD as a disability to break down stigma and provide support to those who need it.” Remember, you are not alone. With the right help, recovery is possible.