SOMATIC SYMPTOM DISORDER
Social Security Disability for Somatic Symptom Disorder in Michigan and Ohio
Somatic symptom disorder is a mysterious health condition that leaves you confused, stressed and highly frustrated.
You feel pain, fatigue, or constant shortness of breath, but your medical team cannot find a physical problem leading to your discomfort. This also comes with heightened anxiety and obsessive thoughts.
That doesn’t mean your condition isn’t real (don’t listen to unhelpful people who doubt you). It is. The medical community recognizes it, and so does Social Security for the purposes of providing financial assistance through disability benefits.
If your symptoms are severe enough that you cannot work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability. Benefits provide monthly checks and access to Medicare or Medicaid to help you deal with your condition and live a more secure life.
But to get disability benefits, you must prove to Social Security that you have somatic symptom disorder and that it prevents you from earning a living for at least a year.
Talk with the experienced Ohio and Michigan disability lawyers at Levine Benjamin Law Firm to find the best way to make your case and start on a better path. We will listen to you. We’re here to be understanding and helpful.
Not only that: Levine Benjamin wins more disability benefits for people than any other law firm in Michigan, according to Social Security rankings.
We’ve helped over 80,000 people in Detroit, Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Toledo, and across Michigan and Ohio.
From Applying to Appealing, We Help You Every Step of the Way.
The Challenge of Getting Disability Benefits for Somatic Symptom Disorder
The signs of somatic symptom disorder begin as many illnesses do. You felt extreme pain in part of your body. You felt tired and unable to handle even the smallest tasks. You had trouble breathing.
But when you see your doctor, no physical source comes up as a cause. This is distressing in its own right.
Because high anxiety and severely obsessive thoughts are linked to the cause of somatic symptom disorder, Social Security recognizes it as a mental ailment.
But like many mental illnesses, it’s not something you can see or touch or readily explain. It can be challenging to prove its negative impact on your life.
Most often, your doctor will refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to confirm a diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder. This will help you find treatments, such as medication, talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy to improve your life.
If your condition doesn’t improve, Social Security Disability may be a great option to gain some financial relief.
At Levine Benjamin Law Firm, our disability attorneys can talk you through your case and find a path forward—at no charge unless you win benefits. If you live in Michigan or Ohio, help is just one call away.
How To Qualify for Disability Benefits with Somatic Symptom Disorder
Social Security has a list of criteria that you must meet to qualify for disability benefits for somatic symptom disorder.
You must provide medical documentation that shows that you suffer from one of the following problems:
- Trouble with movement or suffering from pain that can’t be attributed to another medical or mental disorder
- Excessive thoughts, feelings or behavior triggered by your somatic symptoms
- Constant worry that you have a serious illness or are getting sick without any major symptoms to show
These scenarios must be accompanied by evidence of an extreme limitation of one—or marked limitations of two—of the following mental functions:
- Ability to understand, remember or apply information
- Ability to interact with others
- Concentrating or completing tasks
- Ability to manage yourself through the day or adapt to new situations
You will need to collect medical records, as well as detailed statements from your primary care physician and psychologist or psychiatrist, to prove your case.
Even if your condition doesn’t fit the definition of somatic symptom disorder, you may still be eligible for benefits. It’s important to provide all the evidence you can that your situation prevents you from working.
The skilled Social Security Disability lawyers at Levine Benjamin have seen cases like yours before. We know how to work with Social Security, whether your illness is physical, mental or both.
We know how worried you are, and we provide a caring hand for people just like you throughout Michigan and Ohio.
Be kind to yourself, and let us help with all the paperwork—so you can focus on getting better and restoring normalcy to your life.