Severe anxiety can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of a person’s daily life. For some individuals, this condition is so overwhelming that maintaining steady employment becomes impossible. In such cases, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may provide a financial safety net.
With that said, it is important to understand that qualifying for benefits based on anxiety is not always straightforward. Understanding how the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates anxiety-related disorders is an important first step when this – or any other severe mental health condition – makes it difficult or impossible to sustain regular employment.
Primary considerations
The SSA recognizes anxiety disorders under its Listing of Impairments, specifically Section 12.06. This category includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, among others. However, simply having a diagnosis isn’t enough. Applicants must prove that their anxiety significantly interferes with their ability to function in a work setting.
To qualify, individuals generally must demonstrate a documented history of anxiety symptoms that are persistent and severe. The SSA will look for evidence of symptoms such as intense fear, frequent panic attacks, difficulty concentrating, restlessness and avoidance of social situations. These symptoms must also result in either an extreme limitation in one area of mental functioning or marked limitations in at least two areas, such as understanding and applying information, interacting with others, concentrating and/or managing oneself.
Medical evidence can help to prove the manifestations of one’s condition. Evidence can include records from mental health professionals, hospital stays, treatment history and prescribed medications. Regular therapy sessions, psychiatric evaluations and notes from treating providers that detail how one’s condition impacts daily life can strengthen an application. Statements from friends, family or former employers may also help illustrate the severity of a disorder.
Alternatively, if an applicant does not meet the specific criteria under the anxiety disorder listing, they may still qualify for SSDI through a “residual functional capacity” (RFC) assessment. This process examines how the condition limits a person’s ability to perform any kind of work, not just their past employment.