People who suffer from bipolar disorder in Florida may be eligible for disability benefits.Bipolar disorder is a serious lifetime mental illness that causes drastic changes in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function.Frequency and intensity of the following symptoms play an integral part in the medical diagnosis when applying for disability benefits for bipolar disorder in South Florida.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms include:
- Severe Depression
- Overly Happy
- Jumpy, Worried, Wired
- Distracted
- Angry
- Feeling Empty
- Restless Sleep
- Delusional Behavior
- Loss of Interest in Enjoyable Activities
- Changes in Eating Habits
- Suicidal Thoughts
Often, these symptoms may be manifested as destructive behaviors such as poor work performance, relationship problems, and alcohol or substance abuse.
When someone struggling from bipolar disorder finds it almost impossible to meet his/her employer’s expectations and keep a steady job, they may qualify to receive Social Security Disability Insurance in South Florida.It is important to discuss your case with an experienced South Florida disability attorney to see if you are eligible for disability benefits for bipolar disorder.
How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
To reduce the symptoms and prevent relapses, lifelong medication and psychotherapy are crucial.Often, patients receive a combination of treatments such as mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.
How Bipolar Claimants Qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance
It is imperative for the individual to maintain ongoing treatment by medical professionals.Once this medical information is collected, Social Security determines if the patient qualifies based on the following criteria:
- Is the patient working? If so, be cautioned that if the monthly income exceeds close to $1,000, then the claimant may be denied.
- How is the disorder affecting one’s ability to perform most duties? Symptoms that impede walking, standing, speaking, remembering, responding well to co-workers, and dealing with routine changes in the work environment.
- Does the disability meet the necessary medical criteria for bipolar disorder? The claimant must meet four of the depressive symptoms and two of the functional behaviors. See common symptoms and behaviors listed above.
- How did the individual work in the past? If one is presently capable of performing jobs that they did in the past, their claim will be denied.
- Will age, education, work experience, and physical/mental condition determine what they can do? This final step is the most detailed in nature, dependent on factors that are largely related to age and medical vocational rules.
Don’t Give Up!
Contact an experienced Broward County Social Security Disability attorney that can help you file a bipolar disorder disability claim in Florida. The paperwork can be tedious and frustrating to do yourself.
Keep detailed medical records for bipolar disorder. Close to 60% of Social Security Disability claims will be denied every year. Beat the odds and contact a skilled South Florida Social Security Disability attorney.
Contact the Law Offices of David Benenfeld for a free consultation and book: Can’t Work? Maneuvering the Social Security Disability Claim’s Maze. Call today: (954) 677-0155.
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