Long-Term Disability: 4 Mental Disorders That May Qualify
Many employers offer long-term disability coverage. This is beneficial for employees who get injured or who suffer an illness that renders them unable to work for a period of time. In some cases, long-term disability pays up to 70% of an employee's salary if they are unable to work. Some long-term disability policies provide coverage for 5 to 10 years.
Other policies provide coverage for as long as the employee is disabled or until they turn 65. Some of the most common diagnoses for long-term disability claims are musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer.
Since mental health issues can also inhibit one's ability to work, certain mental disorders are another common reason employees file for long-term disability. Here are four specific mental disorders that may qualify for long-term disability.
1. Affective Disorders
Affective disorders are commonly referred to as mood disorders. People who have affective disorders have a general emotional state that is inconsistent with their circumstances. This type of disorder commonly interferes with a person's ability to function, including in the workplace.
Common examples of affective disorders include:
- Major depressive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Persistent depressive disorder
Affective disorders often affect more than a person's mood. Their sleep, behavior, weight, and cognitive function are also usually affected. In order to qualify for long-term disability, employees with mood disorders need to prove that they cannot function in the workplace even while receiving treatment.
2. Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are conditions in which a person has repeated episodes of feeling intense anxiety. They may feel panic, terror, or fear, even in normal situations. Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include having a sense of doom, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, and trouble concentrating.
The five major types of anxiety disorders include:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Social anxiety disorder or social phobia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Panic disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
To qualify for long-term disability, an employee with an anxiety disorder needs to prove that their symptoms prevent them from functioning in a typical work or social environment.
3. Personality Disorders
For most people, their personality stays the same over time. For people with this type of disorder, their personality changes based on experiences or their surroundings. Some of the most common types of personality disorders include:
- Paranoid personality disorder
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Schizoid personality disorder
- Schizotypal personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
Any of these types of personality disorders can prevent one from being able to function in the workplace.
An employee with a personality disorder who is seeking long-term disability benefits needs to prove they have certain symptoms including autistic thinking, seclusion, inappropriate hostility, aggressiveness, or constant mood disturbances.
4. Psychotic Disorders
This type of severe mental disorder causes abnormal thinking and perceptions. People with psychotic disorders lose touch with reality. Examples of psychotic disorders include:
- Paranoia
- Delusional disorder
- Schizophrenia
Those who get diagnosed with psychotic orders have hallucinations, delusions, and off-the-wall or disorganized behavior.
Psychotic disorders are also characterized by incoherent and chaotic speech. People with these disorders may say things that are inappropriate. In order to qualify for long-term disability benefits, employees must be able to prove that the symptoms of their psychotic disorder interfere with work.
Other mental disorders that may qualify employees for long-term disability benefits include organic mental disorders, somatoform disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Asperger's syndrome, chronic insomnia, and eating disorders.
If you are suffering with a mental disorder and have been denied by your insurance company for long-term disability , there is still hope. Contact Scott E. Shaffman Attorney At Law. Attorney Shaffman has successfully represented clients on long-term disability claims for over 35 years.
