Living with a mental health condition can feel incredibly lonely, especially when you look fine on the outside. Applying for benefits can be stressful, particularly if you worry that your condition won’t be taken seriously without visible proof, such as a cast or X-ray.
But there is hope. The Social Security Administration (SSA) absolutely recognizes conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder as valid disabilities. You are eligible for help. The difference is just in how we prove it. Since a judge cannot see your pain, we simply need to ensure your medical records tell your story for you.
Much like an MRI validates a physical injury, your treatment history substantiates a mental health condition. You cannot simply tell a judge that you are too depressed to work. You need a consistent paper trail.
The SSA looks for clear evidence that you are actively seeking treatment. This includes regular therapy with a counselor, trying prescribed medications and showing whether they help or fail to improve your condition, and receiving care from specialists, especially a psychiatrist, whose records typically carry more weight than notes from a family doctor.
If you stop going to the doctor, the SSA usually assumes you got better.
The SSA does not grant benefits just because you have a diagnosis. It wants to know how your condition limits you. They look at your functional limitations.
Basically, they ask: What does this condition stop you from doing?
If your records show that you cannot handle these basic tasks, you have a strong case.
The SSA will also look at your residual functional capacity. This is a fancy way of asking: Is there any simple job you could still do?
The SSA essentially runs any job test. They look at whether there is simpler work you could perform despite your limitations. For instance, if you can’t deal with the public, they might ask if you could work as a night cleaner. If stress is the main barrier, they might consider a quiet role, such as packing boxes. The standard is strict: the evidence must show that your symptoms are severe enough to rule out these alternative types of work as well, not just your previous job.
Many of us are conditioned to say ‘I’m fine’ out of habit or politeness, but downplaying your symptoms in a doctor’s office can unintentionally sabotage your case. The SSA reviews your medical records as the primary evidence of your disability. If your file is full of notes saying the patient is doing well or has no complaints, a judge may assume you are healthy enough to work. It is critical to give your doctor a complete, unfiltered picture of your limitations so the official record reflects your actual daily struggles.
If you’re preparing to apply for SSD benefits or facing a denial, the attorneys at Regas & Haag are here to help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and get the determined legal support you deserve.