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Every person feels worried, scared, and anxious at different times in their life – it is a very human reaction when you are afraid of something or you are stressed out and cannot fall asleep one or two nights in a row. However, some people are not able to get away with it this easily – their stress becomes more debilitating as time goes by and they develop an anxiety disorder that will prevent them from enjoying their lives the way they used to and even stop fulfilling their work obligations their livelihood depends on.
In this guide we will try to answer the question “Is anxiety a disability?”, learn to recognize when anxiety becomes unbearable enough for you to consider treatment, and discover what can be done to make sure you continue to work and earn money to support yourself and your family despite your condition.
Understanding Anxiety as a Disability
Despite being a widespread mental health issue, anxiety is not always a disorder regarded as a disability. So, when does it qualify as a disability? You have a chance to claim disability benefits if you have a panic disorder or agoraphobia, confirm the symptoms such as restlessness and sleep disturbances no longer allow you to work, and your anxiety disorder affects your cognitive functioning – you cannot understand and remember information essential in your position, socialize with your coworkers, and adapt to various changes inevitable in the workplace.
The Impact of Chronic Anxiety on Daily Life
There are short- and long-term effects of anxiety that worsen the person’s mental and physical health as well as strain their relationships with other people especially if the individual chooses to ignore this condition and does not believe therapy can meaningfully change their life. Let us take a look at just a few emotional, physical, and social effects of anxiety:
| Impact of Anxiety | Description |
| Increased Fear | You feel self-conscious and worried about the way other people perceive you |
| Fatigue | You are tired all the time even after getting sufficient rest |
| Inability to Focus | You cannot concentrate on the simplest tasks and fail to do your job properly |
| Heart Diseases | You are more likely to develop a cardiovascular disease if you continue to stress out |
| Chronic Gastrointestinal Issues | You may have to deal with nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and irritable bowel syndrome |
| Weakened Immune System | You become more prone to infections and viruses |
| Social Isolation | You prefer to stay away from other people and minimize your interactions |
| Conflicts With Family and Friends | You create a distance between yourself and your loved ones |
| Substance Use and Abuse | You rely on alcohol and drugs to calm down and unwind which often leads to addiction |
Recognizing Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
While only a mental health professional can give you a formal diagnosis, there are certain manifestations of anxiety disorder you can notice on your own as well as suspect that someone you are close to has severe anxiety. Here are some of the most common signs to watch for:
| Symptom | Description |
| Feeling of Dread and Panic | You feel like something scary is about to happen even if there is no obvious reason for you to think so and you cannot even formulate the things you or other people are supposed to be scared of |
| Restlessness and Inability to Focus | You cannot concentrate your attention on simple tasks and you feel distracted so your work and studies suffer |
| Sleep Disturbances | You cannot sleep at night or, on the contrary, sleep too much to avoid dealing with problems that cause you to feel anxious and stressed out |
| Heart Palpitations | You feel your heartbeat which makes you focus on this sound and worry even more – it often leads to hypertension and increases the likelihood of stroke and heart attack |
| Respiratory Problems | You feel like you cannot breathe properly or you lack air which may worsen the existing respiratory issues like asthma |
| Gastrointestinal Issues | You feel nauseous and on the verge of vomiting when something triggers your anxiety. In some cases, people with anxiety have to deal with diarrhea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome |
Disability Benefits for Anxiety
If you manage to prove your anxiety disorder prevents you from doing your job and qualify for disability benefits, you can count on Social Security Disability Insurance as well as Supplemental Security Income. The process of application is rather tedious but it is worth it especially if you feel that your diagnosis may worsen your financial situation as you grow older.
You will be expected to prepare medical documentation that clearly shows you have the symptoms of anxiety disorder and proves that you cannot interact with others and concentrate on work assignments as well as demonstrate you have undergone treatment that failed to produce the results you hoped for.
Workplace Rights and Reasonable Accommodations
Is anxiety a disability that forbids you to work? Despite chronic anxiety that impacts your functioning, you may still go to work and request your employer to help you out with anxiety management. As a person with a mental health condition, you are legally protected against harassment and discrimination. Here are just a few accommodations you may ask your boss to implement in the workplace to make your life easier:
- Arrange a flexible work schedule – you may still work the same hours but arrive at work or leave at different times compared to your colleagues.
- Take stress leave from work when you need to attend therapy or sign up for a residential treatment program.
- Request breaks during the workday when you feel overwhelmed and overstimulated.
- Make changes to the place where you work – for instance, you can ask your employer to change the lighting if bright light does not let you focus.
- Ask your employer to allow you to keep food and beverages in the work area even if the company policy initially prevents employees from eating and drinking at their desks.
Resources and Support for Managing Anxiety
While finding a local mental health facility that can provide you with a set of programs and services to help you get rid of the acute symptoms of anxiety is the best solution, there are other things you can do as you manage your condition. Support groups that have regular meetings not far from your house or workplace, 24/7 hotlines that connect you to mental health specialists when you feel particularly vulnerable, and countless self-help books that tell their readers how to beat anxiety and depression you can find in a bookstore or borrow from the library will help you educate yourself on mental health and potential ways to ease your condition.
Therapy, Medication, and Holistic Care for Anxiety at Treat Mental Health
Whether you suspect you have anxiety, the treatment you tried in the past did not bring you the relief you hoped for, or your anxiety disorder became so debilitating you can no longer take care of your regular duties, you should seek professional help.
At Treat Mental Health we can help you to find the answer to the question “Is anxiety a disability?” in your particular case and manage your condition with the help of counseling, medication management, and a variety of holistic practices – contact us now and let us figure out what therapeutic approaches can help you deal with anxiety together.
FAQs
Is anxiety considered a mental health condition that qualifies for disability benefits?
Anxiety disorder may qualify a person for disability benefits but not every case of anxiety gives the individual the right to count on assistance of this kind. When your anxiety stops you from carrying out your duties, interacting with other people, and managing your symptoms in the workplace, you have an opportunity to qualify for disability benefits.
How does Social Security evaluate anxiety disorders for disability claims?
Social Security will analyze your medical records and your work history as well as contact mental health specialists who have treated you for the condition in question and have come to the conclusion your anxiety can be considered a disability.
What reasonable accommodations can be requested for chronic anxiety in the workplace?
Ask your employer to create an environment where you can be focused on your job and not distracted by anything including loud sounds and bright lights. You may also request an additional leave to deal with your disorder and ask for a flexible schedule that allows you to work when the manifestations of anxiety are less severe.
What legal protections are available for employees with anxiety disorders under workplace rights?
You cannot be fired or demoted just because you have chronic anxiety – besides, even with limited capacity to do your job, you can count on disability insurance. Reach out to a legal expert if you need to file a complaint against your employer or sue them for mistreatment in the workplace.
How is chronic anxiety recognized under disability benefits and legal protection frameworks?
Chronic anxiety is considered a severe mental health condition that qualifies the person for disability benefits since it has a long-term effect on their well-being. An individual with formally recognized anxiety disorder cannot be fired from their place of work – it is also illegal for an employer to refuse to hire you because you struggle with anxiety.
