Do You Need a Suicide Attempt or Psych Hospitalization to Win Your Depression Disability Claim

If you are pursuing Social Security disability benefits based on severe depression, you will need to convince your judge that you do not have the capacity to work even a simple job because of your symptoms.

In 2020 and really over the past few years, I have noticed that depression cases are increasingly difficult to win and that judges are demanding more evidence. This is because depression, like any other mental health impairment, cannot be confirmed or measured with an MRI, CT scan or other objective test.

Your judge will have to rely on reports from psychologists and psychiatrists about the severity of your depression and whether your condition is improving with treatment. Many judges find the subjective nature of these reports troubling. Furthermore, you may have received multiple labels by different mental health providers. One psychologist may have given you the label of “major depression,” while another may use the label “PTSD.” Still another could diagnose you as being bi-polar.

There is also a (false) narrative in Congress that psychologists and psychiatrists have an economic incentive to find a serious level of impairment and that disability judges are too quick to accept findings of total disability. So the trend is to demand that judges need more than long term treatment notes.

As I discuss in this video, an increasing number of judges want to see evidence that your depression has created a huge disruption in your life and that standard treatments have not worked. In many cases this means that your judge will want to see evidence of one or more suicide attempts, or inpatient psychiatric hospitalization as proof that your level of depression is truly life threatening.

This does not mean that chronic and severe depression that has not put you in the hospital or threatened your life won’t be relevant. But you may need evidence of other medical issues or extremely strong documentation from your mental health professional to meet the high burden now demanded by Social Security. #depressionandsocialsecuritydisability #depressionandssdiclaims #majordepressionandsocialsecuritydisabilitylaw

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[Remrie]

The revised mission statement of the Social Security Administration: "Wait them out and hope they die before they make us pay"

[Ace-vnch]

Hi Counselor, i recieved word that the Judge cancelled my scheduled hearing, and decided that the mountain of medical evidence that we had compiled was all that he needed to make a determination. His decision was fully favorable! This approval was the result of many factors, one of which was me burning the midnight oil watching all your applicable videos over the last year and a half on my laptop. The education i recieved from you proved invaluable, as I put your words of wisom into practice, and did all that i could to set myself up for a succesful outcome. I am indebted to you Sir, and can only pray that God would bless you, so that you can continue to be a blessing to. others, like myself. I trust that it will encourage your heart to know what a life changing impact your making in the lives of those who need it You

[emiliagarza]

I have a lawyer, but the judge denied my case. My disorders consist of Manic Depression, Anxiety with panic attacks, PTSD, BPD, Bipolar, Anger, Suicidal Ideations. I've attempted suicide several times which is all in my records. The judge even asked me why do I call the Suicide crisis center quite often. I said because of my Suicidal Ideations, but I was still denied.

[brandonmanuel]

I have major depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. I talked with a girl who works at my friend's bar and at a psychiatric hospital as a mental health tech. She told me to stay on my meds because she saw terrible things while working there. I told her that I have ways to cope with my mental illness and she told me it's a good idea. I been at that psychiatric inpatient hospital twice and it did not help. They put you on meds and you stay in bed or walk around the ward.

[levity]

I attempted to take my own life 6 weeks ago, was hospitalized for a couple of weeks, and have been attending a partial hospitalization program since being released from the hospital. What's the likelihood I will be approved?

[Godisgreat-be]

Wow hopefully it don’t have to come to Suicide Attempt praying for everyone who suffer from mental illness hopefully they mental health records speaks for it self 💯

[coolhluke]

My daughter's boyfriend who moved in with us when he turned 18 was on Social Security Disability his entire life. Along with a long-stroke of medications. Now when he turned 18 something about the law when they turned 18 they re-evaluated him and they sent him a letter saying he was going to get cut off we have filed appeal paperwork along with it but he tried to commit suicide two days ago currently he is in psychiatric observation. I kept telling the guy over the phone during the interview about his first appeal that he was not okay and that he could not take care of himself and the guy I guess didn't believe me because he was going to cut him off and I just submitted paperwork today saying well evidently you were wrong because this kids in a psych ward he just tried to commit suicide

[toniagilmore]

So my PTSD and bi polar 1 disorder and severe OCD are not enough bs! So because I haven’t tried to kill myself im denied what a crock of shit! I’ve been so close to trying to take my own life so many times but that doesn’t count this is so maddening

[renaelynn]

They may have attempted suicide but don't admit it.

[nancymorales]

I’ve been denied for the 4th time disability. I was advised I am not disabled and can work on what I used to work, clerk. I have uncontrollable diabetes 2, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, thyroid, gastroparesis, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, hypertension, sleep apnea, drop foot (I use a cane) and carpel tunnel on both hands. Left hand recently operated because I lost strength. Ohh and am being treated for psychosis. With everything I have going on I haven’t been approved. Having so much pain and being drowsy and dizzy due to meds I just want to give up. Any recommendations? I sure appreciate it. Also, I have marks on my arms of where I scratch myself and some burns. But I don’t know if my psychiatrist document that.

[Willpower]

I’m losing hope I have a 7th grade education because of my depression since I was young about 17 years ago Vern hospitalized I also tried few suicide attempts my depression came va k and I can’t do anything!!! I haven’t worked in 7 years because I fear public I am losing hope I need financial help. I’m getting evicted but I just feel in my heart I’ll get denied I know lots of others who are lying cheating the system and getting help. This isn’t fair!!!

[danielsantana]

Question Mr Ginsberg. So if someone who applying for disability benefits. And has been hospitalized at least once for suicide .and they have that medical report handy . would that increase their chances of winning disability cases??

[todd]

Thanks for taking time out of your day to make video's for the general public. I was wondering how judges feel about bi polar claims. And Myself i have a very low comprehension to which i could never learn how to do a job no matter how hard I tried. Thanks again for another informative video.

[nickeysurratt]

My diagnosis was changed from MDD w psychotic features, to schizoaffective disorder depressive type, ptsd, trichotillomania, will this change how the judge looks at my case?

[garland]

What are medical expert interrogatories that are equivocal?

[Linxs]

I had to be hospitalized during my time in service for PTSD. This was back in 2007. Can I use that and my in going treatments as evidence to win an SSDI case ?

[rosachavez]

@ssdattorney if I’m on a depression medication (lexapro) and it’s been bumped up and have medication for anxiety that now I have semi control over anxiety depression and panic attacks but stilll experience these things on occasion. Would that be something DDS would reject? I suppose when I do take my anxiety medication Clonazepam it will make me tired and have had one suicidal attemp but did for go to the hospital. I have a “comprehensive Clinical Psyycolofical evaluation at the end of July that DDS scheduled and I’m afraid and scared.

If I can’t make that appt because I do have relatives who drive me to my visits and I have to work around their schedule, is that something I should request now in order for DDS to re schedule ahead of time?

[kurtweiss]

How do judges look at it if a person is 100% service connected with the VA for PTSD/Major Depression Disorder? No recent impatient visits, no suicide “attempts.”

[troothserum]

Does 1 suicide attempt (cutting) and 2 hospitalizations at the V.A. (15yrs) ago count? Been seeing the Psychiatrist until now taking geodones. As well as foot & ankle disabilities.

[skullsnbows]

Hello sir:). Thank you so much for these wonderful and informative videos. I’m on my appeal and while I’m sure it’s a long way off, I’m concerned about how I should behave. I saw a video where you said getting up is okay if necessary but I have severe social and general anxiety and I know having to talk to a judge is going to more than exacerbate that. I don’t want to appear as if I am laying it on thick for the judge but I know that I will be shaking and babbling and I’m worried that they might think I’m well, faking it. Will I be able to take a few minutes to maybe pull myself together? I’m so afraid of screwing the hearing up. Thanks in advance and sorry if that didn’t make sense, I really didn’t know how to word that.