SSDI for Bipolar Disorder

Lawyers Helping People With Mental Illness Receive Social Security Disability Benefits in Dallas and Plano

Anyone who has struggled with mental health issues or who knows someone with a mental illness understands that these conditions can be very serious. Even though mental illnesses may not be as outwardly obvious as physical conditions that affect a person's health, they can still have a huge impact on a person's life. Bipolar disorder, which was previously known as manic depression, can be especially debilitating, affecting a person's ability to maintain concentration, interact appropriately with others, and fully consider the consequences of their actions. Because of this, those who suffer from bipolar disorder may qualify for disability benefits through Social Security.

While bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses can have a drastic impact on a person's ability to maintain employment, it is not always easy to demonstrate that these issues have caused them to be disabled. To increase the chances of success when applying for disability benefits, it is crucial to work with an attorney who understands the laws and is experienced in cases involving mental health. At the Law Offices of Coats & Todd, our lawyers have been working in this field for a combined total of more than 60 years, and we have assisted numerous clients, helping them receive benefits that allow them to address their ongoing needs.

When Does Bipolar Disorder Qualify for Disability?

Those who suffer from bipolar disorder will often experience cyclical periods in which they struggle to regulate their mood. They may experience mania, in which they have an elevated mood, increased levels of energy, rapid thoughts and speech, and a lack of judgment. This may be followed by periods of depression, which often involve a lack of energy and motivation, extreme sadness, irritability, social withdrawal, and even suicidal thoughts or actions.

Bipolar disorder qualifies as a disability under Social Security's listing of impairments if a person experiences at least three of the following issues:

• "Pressured" speech that is faster, louder, and more emphatic than normal
• "Flight of ideas" or racing thoughts that are disorganized, chaotic, and difficult to control
• An inflated sense of self-esteem or unnatural feelings of grandiosity or importance
• An increase in energy that results in a person receiving little or no sleep
• Distractibility in which a person has trouble maintaining concentration on a task or topic of conversation
• Taking actions without considering whether they may result in serious or painful consequences
• An unnatural increase in goal-oriented activities, such as personal or work-related projects, or increased levels of physical agitation or restlessness

In addition to the symptoms described above, bipolar disorder must have caused a person to experience an extreme limitation in one of the following areas or a marked limitation in two of these areas:

• Understand, remember, or apply information;
• Interact with others, including coworkers or customers.
• Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; and
• Adapt or manage oneself.

Bipolar disorder may also be considered a disability if it is "serious and persistent." In these cases, documentation must be provided showing that the disorder has lasted at least two years. A person must have received ongoing medical or mental health treatment that has improved their symptoms, and they must show that they have made marginal adjustments in which they can adapt to new changes in their lives.

Contact Our McKinney Social Security Disability Benefits Attorneys

Showing that bipolar disorder has caused you to be disabled is not always easy. If you are suffering from this type of mental illness, the Law Offices of Coats & Todd can make sure you provide the necessary documentation of your treatment and evidence showing how your ability to work has been affected. We will make sure you take the right steps to receive the Social Security disability benefits you need. Set up a free case evaluation today by contacting us at 972-671-9922. We provide legal help with benefits for disabilities related to mental health for clients in Dallas County, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Dallas, Denton, Denton County, Lewisville, Collin County, and Allen.