Many people seeking disability benefits and exploring their options regarding SSDI have physical limitations. For instance, someone may suffer a spinal cord injury which means they will never walk again and cannot return to work. Or they may experience an amputation injury that prevents them from continuing in their chosen profession, even after healing as much as possible.
However, it’s important to remember that disabilities do not necessarily have to be physical. Many mental and psychological conditions can also qualify for SSDI benefits. This can be more complicated because these are often “invisible ailments” that are difficult for others to identify. However, with proper medical documentation showing that the disability exists, they can certainly still lead to benefits.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
One example is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition often develops after someone has experienced a traumatic event. It can cause anxiety, depression, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviors and more.
For example, imagine someone who drives for a living is involved in a serious car accident. They suffer significant physical injuries, and a coworker passes away. Even after their physical injuries heal, witnessing the event causes the injured person to develop severe anxiety around driving and avoidance behaviors, such as refusing to get behind the wheel. When they try to drive, they experience debilitating panic attacks.
As you can imagine, this means the person can no longer return to their career as a professional driver. While they may physically be able to operate a vehicle, PTSD prevents them from driving for a living.
This is just one example, but it highlights the importance of understanding the legal steps to take when seeking benefits for both physical and mental disabilities.