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Los Angeles Anxiety Disorder Claims Attorney

Southern California Depression Claims

Mood or affective disorders include anxiety disorder, depression and bipolar disorder. People who suffer from one of these disorders often suffer from an additional mood or affective disorder. For example, people who have clinical depression often experience problems with anxiety disorder. The compound effects of multiple disorders are extremely dangerous and debilitating.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides for mental disorders in its listing of impairments. However, to obtain Social Security Disability/Supplemental Security Income (SSD/SSI) benefits for a mental disorder, you must provide medical evidence of your illness. Working with an experienced lawyer is a good idea. Come to the Disability Rights Law Center for assistance. We have helped thousands of people with SSD/SSI claims. For a free consultation, call 213-784-4386 or contact us online.

Depression, Anxiety and Bipolar Disorders

Clinical depression can take several forms. The most familiar is major depression, which is often triggered by a traumatic event. Dysthymia is chronic depression, ever-present regardless of circumstances. People with dysthymia can also suffer episodes of major depression. Symptoms of depression include feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, sadness, suicidal thoughts, exhaustion, loss of interest in activities, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, weight changes, insomnia and sleeping too much.

The SSA looks for evidence of a number of the criteria above. In addition, the applicant must have a documented history of a minimum of two years of depression, as well as statements and evidence of residual functional capacity.

Anxiety disorder has symptoms including panic attacks, irrational fear, compulsion or obsession, muscular tension and increased heart/breathing rate. To qualify for benefits, you must provide evidence of problems with concentration, periods of decompensation or restriction of daily activities.

Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depression) causes an individual to cycle between high states (mania) and depressive states. Mania can range from feelings of euphoria to anger and impaired judgment. The depressive state causes the same type of symptoms as clinical depression.

Bipolar disorder is a listed impairment, so obtaining SSD/SSI benefits is generally a matter of providing the appropriate medical evidence to support the limitations on ability to work.

Please call our Los Angeles office at 213-784-4386 to schedule an appointment.