Mental Disabilities and Social Security Disability Benefits

Mental impairment, or mental illness, is a broad description of a wide range of disorders that can affect cognitive processes, behavior, mood, and coping skills. Mental illness may stem from a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, lifestyle, physical or emotional trauma, or biochemical imbalance. There is still much debate on how mental illness arises, and whether the physical processes of the body or environmental factors play more of a role in its development. With a wide spectrum of symptoms and effects, mental illness can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and often involves a long road to progress or recovery. There are more than 200 mental illnesses identified today, including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression, dissociative disorders, schizophrenia, and panic disorders.

Mental illness can have a profound effect on a patient's life and may interfere with the ability to manage stress, relationships, and responsibilities. Patients with mental disabilities can be affected in so many different ways, endangering their emotional and physical health.

Often, sufferers of mental illness will notice a worsening of symptoms until even minor activities become challenging. Some of the effects of mental impairment include:

• Depression
• Confusion
• Weak coping skills
• Social withdrawal
• Excessive fear or anxiety
• Sleeping disorders
• Delusions/hallucinations
• Alcohol/substance abuse
• Weight gain or lose
• Anger issues
• Mood changes
• Low self-esteem
• Fatigue
• Digestive problems
• Back, neck, head issues
• Profuse sweating
• Dizziness
• Rapid/irregular heartbeat
• Suicidal thoughts

Mental Impairment Treatments

The road to good mental health may involve several different medical professionals, depending on the diagnosis and the patient's individual problems. A team approach is common for the treatment of mental disorders and often utilizes the services of psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, support groups, rehabilitation facilities, and others. Treatments include:

• Psychiatric medications
• Psychotherapy
• Hospitalization
• Residential treatment programs
• Electroconvulsive therapy
• Behavioral therapy
• Stress-management
• Lifestyle changes

For additional information on mental illness, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness or WebMD's Mental Health Center.

If you or a loved one suffers from a mental illness, the disability attorneys at The Cochran Firm can help you file for Social Security disability benefits properly. Please contact our Social Security disability lawyers today to schedule a personalized review of your case.

The Cochran Firm handles claims for clients throughout the United States of America. Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a free consultation.