Is PTSD A Disability in New Mexico and the US?

What are the Disability Qualifications for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Each year, PTSD affects millions of Americans. The crippling PTSD symptoms leave many wondering: “Is PTSD a disability?” The answer is yes, as it is classified as a medical condition.

Federal and state programs consider it a disability and offer trauma and stress-related disability benefits, primarily when supported by medical documentation. However, the criteria and application process can vary from person to person, depending on your situation and the severity of the condition.

PTSD can wreak havoc on your life. But don’t worry! With the proper care and treatment, this disorder can be treated. Icarus Recovery Center, offers all levels of care, from medical detox to a full array of outpatient offerings to treat your PTSD symptoms.

If you or a loved one with PTSD is handling various mental health issues, this guide is for you. Read on to learn more about this condition, your legal rights, the Social Security Administration’s disability insurance, and the requirements you need to meet to access disability compensation.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is a mental disorder that you can develop in response to a traumatic event. Traumatic experiences may include abuse, sexual assault, a car accident, loss, the death of a loved one, a natural disaster, actual or threatened death, combat exposure, a terrorist attack, and more.

PTSD differs from normal stress responses in that its symptoms don’t fade with time. They can persist for months, years, and even a lifetime. These symptoms may also interfere with your day-to-day life, resulting in a marked limitation in functioning.

The National Centre for PTSD has revealed that about 6% of people in the US will experience PTSD in their lifetime. Early intervention and access to appropriate support, backed by objective medical evidence, can help manage symptoms more effectively, provided you meet the relevant medical criteria.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

The symptoms of traumatic stress disorder PTSD are divided into four primary categories:

Intrusive Memories

Intrusive memories are the most common post-traumatic stress disorder symptom. They include distressing memories that keep coming back. You relive the trauma through flashbacks and nightmares, and reminders of the event trigger intense physical and emotional reactions.

Avoidance

Avoidance is another symptom that people with post-traumatic stress disorder experience. Trauma takes a toll on your mental health, and suppressing the traumatic memories may seem like the best approach. These memories are often triggered by people, activities, or places that serve as reminders. To resist the physical and emotional reactions to these memories, people with PTSD frequently try to avoid them.

Negative Mood

Post-traumatic stress disorder can alter your self-perception. It fuels hopelessness and negative thoughts about yourself and others. This can cause various trauma-related issues, such as losing interest in favourite activities, trouble maintaining close relationships, emotional detachment, and difficulty staying positive.

Intense Physical and Emotional Reactions

People with PTSD often stay in “fight or flight” mode. They feel on edge, have trouble sleeping or concentrating, and deal with emotions like anger, guilt, or irritability, often accompanied by an exaggerated startle response. The intensity of these symptoms varies from individual to individual. Reminders of the trauma can trigger symptoms and interfere with day-to-day life. As a result, individuals with PTSD frequently engage in traumatic event avoidance.

What are the Long-term effects of PTSD?

PTSD can have a lasting impact on your overall health and quality of life. Some of the potential long-term effects of PTSD include:

Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common long-term effects of PTSD. You constantly struggle with fear, nervousness, and intense pain. In some cases, you may act aggressively towards others as this condition makes you feel unsafe. People with PTSD often develop destructive coping mechanisms such as drug and alcohol abuse. This further complicates their mental health struggles.

Social withdrawal

Social withdrawal is a widely experienced long-term effect of PTSD. People with PTSD lose interest in socializing and avoid friends and family. This causes them to feel even lonelier, and they also develop feelings of helplessness and insecurity. This further impacts their ability to live and work.

Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances

Experiencing a traumatic event may affect your ability to rest and sleep peacefully. People with PTSD often find it difficult to sleep. This is mainly due to nightmares. This lack of sleep manifests in more mental and physical health conditions, including heart problems, obesity, and diabetes.

Shame or Guilt

Feelings of shame and guilt are common in people experiencing PTSD. Sometimes, you feel you are to blame for the traumatic experience. This worsens the mood disorder in those who are already dealing with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. You may think you could have done things better or made different choices that would have led to a different result. A persistent inability to experience positive emotions can negatively impact your daily life.

Chronic Pain

Trauma that involves an accident, threatened death, serious injury, sexual assault, a natural disaster, and abuse may lead to chronic illness. These events may lead to chronic pain that starts unexpectedly and serves as a reminder of the traumatic event. The reminder of the trauma further deteriorates your mental health.

Receiving SSDI Benefits for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD is a psychological condition that is often solely associated with military veterans. However, other people can also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Over 70% of adults experience some form of a traumatic event in their lives. Around 20% of those individuals exhibit PTSD symptoms. It is estimated that one out of thirteen people will suffer from PTSD in their lifetime.

Having PTSD doesn’t automatically qualify someone as disabled. However, if your symptoms are so intense that they interfere with your day-to-day life and your ability to function normally in society, then you may have extreme limitations.

The SSA defines extreme limitation, as an inability to function “independently, appropriately, effectively, and on a sustained basis.” Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is designed for people with a long work history, typically having worked at least five of the last ten years.

The state of New Mexico does not have its own state disability program. However, residents of New Mexico can apply for federal disability benefits if their PTSD meets the requirements for disability under these programs.

PTSD disability claims are often given a skeptical or unfair review and may be denied without proper cause. According to social security disability benefits rules, there’s a specific criterion you need to meet under the disabilities act to be considered disabled with stressor-related disorders.

You need to provide proof of your disability with your medical records. However, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allows for varying levels of disability, which is essential for those seeking to win disability benefits.

The following is taken into consideration when evaluating trauma and stressor-related SSA disability benefits:

• Your ability to work in your usual job
• Your monthly earnings from work or investments
• Your ability to do a different type of work
• Whether you have enough work experience or credits
• Your age
• Your education
• Your training

Veterans with PTSD can apply for disability benefits through both Social Security and the VA. However, non-military citizens can only apply for these benefits via SSA. Medical evidence in the form of a medically documented history of the disorder for at least 2 years is required.

Living with PTSD as a Disability

Recognizing post-traumatic stress disorder as a disability rather than a mental illness is important for various reasons. It helps improve your quality of life by providing access to:

Workplace Accommodations

Access to reasonable support helps those with PTSD manage their symptoms better. Workplace accommodations include paid time off for mental health therapy, written instructions, calm workspaces, understanding from co-workers and a flexible schedule.

This not only improves the quality of their life and mental functioning but also their job performance. If you have PTSD, you should discuss a transparent documented process with your employer. This way, you can do your best at work without harming your mental health.

Financial Planning

If you have PTSD and you’re living on social security disability benefits, you may want to learn how to manage your budget effectively. The best approach for you is to consider consulting with a financial advisor, who deals with disability-related funds and tax advantages. You may also  also want to consider how work affects disability benefits and keep an eye out for aid programs and medical vocational allowances, that could help keep you afloat.

Support Networks

A strong support system can make a world of a difference for those with PTSD. If you have PTSD, joining a support group can help you heal and better manage your symptoms.

Create a strong support system of understanding friends and family. Stay in therapy and work with a trauma-specialized therapist to overcome your mental health issues. Join advocacy organizations for added resources and community.

Get help for PTSD! Contact Icarus Recovery Center today to schedule a confidential appointment.

Living with PTSD as a disability can be overwhelming, but knowing your rights, accessing disability benefits based on PTSD, and getting the right treatment can significantly improve your life. Whether you’re applying for benefits, seeking workplace accommodations, or managing daily challenges, help is available. You’re not alone. Marginal adjustments can significantly improve the quality of life with PTSD.

If you’re struggling with PTSD, mental health professionals at Icarus Recovery Center are here to support you with medical treatment and psychosocial support. Our therapists specialize in trauma care, and PTSD diagnosis, and can guide you through recovery while helping you achieve your goals.

Contact us today for a confidential appointment and take the first step toward feeling better.