Anyone who’s suffered a panic attack while at work knows how frightening that scenario can be. One of the most common symptoms during a panic attack is the overwhelming urge to flee or escape the place where the panic attack began. If you’re at work, obviously that can be next to impossible.
Panic disorder victims, who suffer frequent panic attacks, may even develop agoraphobia (or fear) of the workplace. Many people in this situation suffer panic attacks caused by worrying about having the next panic attack while at work. This can become a miserable and cruel cycle that can lead to poor job performance, high absenteeism, and even unemployment.
In the United States, panic disorder sufferers can appeal to the Social Security Administration for help through one of its two largest disability programs – Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income. However, it is important to note that Social Security pays only for total disability cases. They do not approve benefits for partial or short-term disability. So what does the Social Security Administration define as total disability? Program rules are strict in this sense: “Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if you cannot do work that you did before and we decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s). Your disability must also last or be expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.”
Specific guidelines for anxiety related disorders are found in Social Security’s Listing Of Impairments in Section 12.06. According to these guidelines an anxiety sufferer must have “a persistent irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation which results in a compelling desire to avoid the dreaded object, activity, or situation. Or recurrent severe panic attacks manifested by a sudden unpredictable onset of intense apprehension, fear, terror and sense of impending doom occurring on the average of at least once a week”.
Since the Social Security Administration approves panic attack disability benefits on a case by case basis, there is a formal application process. There are strict guidelines for average monthly income made year-to-date, case severity, and future work plausibility.
However, for those stricken with debilitating anxiety and panic attacks that make work impossible, it offers a glimmer of hope and financial assistance.
To apply for disability help go to the direct application link on their website at: http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dapply.htm
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