Are depression and anxiety disabilities?

The Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA doesn’t explicitly define every condition that may be covered but rather highlights disability based on how a particular condition may impact you. Depression and anxiety mental health disorders commonly interfere with daily activities, impacting your ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life.

Not everyone with a depression or anxiety diagnosis will qualify for disability benefits. For some people, accommodations like working from home or being allowed to take a test in a separate room can be helpful in their ability to continue working, attending school, or doing other things.

Depression symptoms include:

• Persistent sadness
• A feeling of hopelessness
• Frustration and irritability
• Anxiety
• Changes in weight and appetite
• Feelings of guilt
• Fatigue
• Trouble concentrating
• Suicidal thoughts (If you have been experiencing any suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.)

Anxiety symptoms can include:

• Feeling tense, restless, or nervous
• Feelings of panic and dread
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shallow and rapid breathing
• Sweating and shaking
• Muscle tension
• Trouble concentrating
• Nausea or stomach upset and even vomiting
• Avoiding things that trigger anxiety

Depression and anxiety both have many treatment options. Some people with depression have difficultly experiencing successful treatment. Treatment-resistant depression may be considered a disability.

The Social Security Administration makes disability determinations for some types of assistance. Application for benefits is the start of the process that includes verification of your diagnosis, confirmation, and examination by doctors working for the Social Security program, and the possibility of additional testing.

Your diagnosis of depression or anxiety may qualify for accommodations at your school, university, or place of employment. This may depend on the employer’s policies, state and local laws, as well as the severity of your condition.

A diagnosis that interferes with your ability to function at school or work may be cause for exploring options with disability benefits. The ADA highlights mental health disorders like depression as potentially disabling conditions that may mean you qualify for financial assistance or health insurance. It can take a long time to secure benefits for any disability, and oftentimes initial claims may be denied, requiring an appeal. Talking with an attorney who specializes in disability claims may be helpful as a start to the process.