Men and women of any age can be affected by bipolar disorder, which people used to call “manic depression.”
Bipolar disorder causes severe mood swings, and for some people, they experience episodes of both mania and depression, to varying degrees of severity.
It can be destabilizing enough to make you unable to work. In that case, Social Security Disability benefits could provide monthly income assistance—and a sturdier foundation to reclaim your life.
Getting Social Security Disability for bipolar disorder is all in the details.
Episodes of mania can cause symptoms including high energy, a reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts, and poor or destructive behavior. Depressive episodes can cause symptoms such as low energy, low motivation, losing interest in everyday activities and suicidal thoughts.
These back-and-forth mood episodes can last for days and even for months at a time. Treatment—often a combination of medications and psychotherapy—can and often should continue for the entire life of a bipolar patient.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are three main types of bipolar disorder:
There are also other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders, defined by bipolar disorder symptoms that do not match the three categories listed above.
If you (or someone you care about) have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder which is so severe that it rules out working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.
To receive disability benefits, however, you will need more than just a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. You must present evidence to prove you are unable to function well enough to work.
The Chicago Social Security Disability lawyers at Nash Disability Law are here to help. We’re one of the top disability law firms in Illinois and the country by the amount of benefits we’ve won for clients.
WE’VE HELPED MORE PEOPLE IN THE CHICAGO AREA WIN BENEFITS THAN ANY OTHER LAW FIRM.
There are two ways you can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits with bipolar or any other physical or mental health condition.
The first way is to meet a Social Security impairment listing.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a set of procedures in place to identify disabilities that are medically eligible for benefits.
These procedures are published in a handbook known as the “Blue Book,” and it includes a long list of disabling conditions known as “listings.” To be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits due to bipolar disorder, you must meet the requirements of listing 12.04.
You must have three or more of the following:
AND
B. Extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning (see 12.00F):
OR
C. Your mental disorder in this listing category is “serious and persistent.” That means you have a medically documented history of the existence of the disorder over a period of at least two years, and there is evidence that you have:
Does your case of bipolar disorder look like this? Is it severe enough that you can’t continue to function in a job, even when you’re undergoing treatment?
The Chicago disability lawyers at Nash Disability Law will listen to you, put in the effort to understand what you’re going through with bipolar disorder, and give you an assessment of your case for disability benefits, free of charge.
It is a fact that very few people who apply for Social Security disability benefits meet the strict requirements of the Blue Book listings.
This brings us to the second way to qualify—proving that you are unable to perform any work due to your bipolar disorder, given your age, education, and past work experience.
This means documenting your day-to-day ability to concentrate, complete tasks, keep up with job demands and more.
Bear in mind that you must provide solid medical evidence to prove that your condition prevents you from performing any substantial work, so any limitations or symptoms caused by your bipolar disorder should be recorded in your medical records.
Here’s a special challenge of getting disability benefits for people with bipolar: According to the Mayo Clinic, “people with bipolar disorder often don’t recognize how much their emotional instability disrupts their lives and the lives of their loved ones, and don’t get the treatment they need.”
In addition, according to the NIH, “upwards of 60% of bipolar patients are at least partially non-adherent to medications.”
If you have bipolar disorder, you may need help from a loved one staying on top of your case in order to be successful winning disability benefits.
If you have a family member or friend with bipolar disorder, it is important to encourage your loved one as much as possible to obtain treatment, including individual therapy, and follow the treatment plan outlined by his or her mental health professional.
Facing issues of medication compliance, periods of improvement, or disruptive job-killing relapses, the Nash Chicago disability attorneys have helped thousands struggling with bipolar disorder.
If you’re thinking about applying for Social Security Disability, or if you have been turned down for disability benefits, get in touch with us for a chance at a new chapter in life.
Thank you so very much for your help with my disability claim. Please thank each and everyone who helped in getting this done. Every time I had questions and had to call you for advice, whomever I spoke with at the time was very helpful and polite and most of all caring. Once again, Mr. Nash, thank you so very much.
Thank you for all your help with my disability case. I felt very confident after discussing my claim with your attorneys. The representation I had for my court date was wonderful. I know I couldn’t have done all that you did on my own . I am very appreciative for all the hard work, time and care you gave to me!
