Depression affects about one in every four adults, or twenty-six percent, in the U.S. alone. Many adults find that their depression is so debilitating that they cannot get out of bed. They stop taking care of others, and then they stop taking care of themselves. Their homes become filthy and almost uninhabitable. If you experience depression this deep, or deep enough to attempt suicide, your depression is considered a disability under most disability benefit laws. Here is more on how depression becomes a disability, and why it (and you) qualifies for disability benefits.
The Difference Between a Mild Depression and a Severe, Helpless Depression
A mild depression is one that lasts a short while. You can come out of it, either on your own or with medication. This is not considered severe enough for disability benefits because you eventually return to doing daily tasks and caring for your own needs or the needs of others. However, if you have a severe, almost seemingly helpless sort of depression, and not even medication can bring you up to a functional level, that is a disability.
Disability That Brings Death Also Qualifies
Some of the leading requirements for receiving immediate disability benefits include the fact that some health issues could lead to, or already have come close to, death. A crushing depression that brings you to the brink of a suicide attempt clearly shows that you may die from this condition. That translates to the requirement of "near or imminent death" for benefits. Your disability attorney's services can investigate the seriousness of these incidents or events in your life and use them to point out to the agency and the court that you are deserving of benefits to help treat you in a more secure setting and prevent your death.
Crushing Depression Prevents You from Working
If you never get out of bed, then you never go to work. If you cannot get out of bed and go to work because your depression is that deep, you will become homeless, and possibly die as a result of your depression. When this mood disorder is presented to the judge with these facts, the judge is more inclined to see in your favor, with the hopes that awarding your disability benefits will help you return (eventually) to society and the workforce. You will need ongoing therapy and medication, for which the benefits will pay.
For more information, contact your local disability attorney services.
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