Those suffering from serious medical conditions may find it challenging to secure Social Security Disability. With numerous requirements to meet, including very strict standards, conditions like premenstrual dysphoric disorder often benefit from reliable legal representation. At Pond Lehocky Disability, we understand your condition and the impact on your life, and we fight for fair treatment under the law.
What Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?
Premenstrual symptoms that occur in a cyclic pattern before menstruation and then wane after a menstrual period can become significantly challenging to live with in some people. Those who have moderate to severe symptoms may suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD.
The condition impacts between 5% and 8% of women, and causes distress and functional impairment. It involves a collection of numerous symptoms that interfere with personal, professional, and social lives, including impacting a person’s ability to work.
Typically, women with this condition will suffer symptoms in the two weeks leading up to menstruation to various degrees. It is important to note that for most women, the symptoms are uncomfortable and taxing, but they are still considered generally manageable. For those who have more extensive, long-lasting, and debilitating symptoms, the condition can make it challenging to work.
What Are the Symptoms of PMDD?
The most common symptoms of PMDD include, as noted by Johns Hopkins Medicine:
- A depressed mood, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness, and profound sadness
- Mood swings
- Increased anxiety and tension
- Increased irritability and anger
- Self-critical thoughts
- Conflict with family and coworkers
- Fatigue and lethargy, a lack of energy
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
- Concentration difficulties
These symptoms worsen in those with PMDD to the point of being hard to control and manage, impacting various facets of a person’s life as a result.
How Common Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?
Though statistics show various estimated incidents of PDD, overall, about 5 to 20% of women experience such a significant impact that it limits their ability to work and meet obligations. This wide range of examples demonstrates how under-reported the condition can be. It is often stigmatized and not spoken about for some.
Is PMDD a Disability?
For those who are living with PMDD symptoms, you know that it can be disabling. Though not everyone who has symptoms faces the most severe forms, those who do often deal with difficulty navigating daily needs on a routine basis. For many people, it makes living life challenging.
In some people, PMDD can meet the requirements listed by the Social Security Administration as a mental disorder if it impacts a person’s ability to function and perform daily activities. Additionally, the Americans with Disabilities Act recognizes PMDD as a disability if it limits one or more major life activities.
Can You Qualify for Social Security Disability with PMDD?
Unlike some conditions where a diagnosis of it can automatically lead to Social Security Disability approval, such as cancer or HIV, some people may qualify for Social Security Disability if they meet specific requirements. This falls under the Equality Act of 2020. To be eligible for disability benefits, you must demonstrate that your symptoms impact your ability to work.
The first step will be to have evidence of the conditions present in your life. That means ensuring you have comprehensive documentation from licensed healthcare providers that shows a diagnosis and a treatment plan. This might include:
- Medical records from one or more providers
- Treatment history for emergency care or routine care
- Statements from employers and people in your life, as well as your own, about the impact PMDD has on your life
- Indication that the condition has not improved even with numerous attempts at treatment and is expected to remain a factor for some time
Demonstrating the presence of the condition is one step, but you also must show that it is debilitating, so much so that it makes it impossible for you to work or hold a job. That is more complex and often benefits from the guidance of a disability attorney.
How Do You Prove to the SSA that You Can’t Work?
Demonstrating functional limitations is the next necessary step. This means demonstrating facts such as:
- Missed days of work due to the symptoms and their intensity
- Reduced productivity or changes in your ability to meet specific job demands
- Limitations on your ability to perform job duties specifically related to the symptoms
- Impact on relationships and ability to communicate or manage professional relationships
- Difficulty caring for yourself
Provide evidence that shows the types of treatments attempted and the benefits or limitations they presented, including the steps taken to continue to work. This might include medication, therapy, or lifestyle changes. Be thorough about what you have done to work around what occurs, making it abundantly clear that you cannot find enough improvement to meet your job requirements.
How a Disability Lawyer Can Help with Your PMDD Claim
Because it is such an “invisible disease” where symptoms may not seem obvious to everyone, it is often beneficial to work with an experienced legal team that can support your efforts to prove what is occurring and what it means to your ability to work. With the guidance of an SSDI attorney, you can get help in several key ways:
- Obtain the documentation and resources to support your claim of having PMDD, including advanced testing or lab work you may have done. If you have not received enough medical verification, your attorney can help you determine how to obtain that data.
- Assess your claim. Your attorney will verify that you are providing all necessary information to support a claim of being unable to work due to PMDD.
- Ensure you meet the Social Security Administration’s specific restrictions related to your condition, including the impact a mental health condition must have on a person’s life to allow it to qualify.
- Help you navigate any potential weaknesses in your case. If gaps exist, your lawyer will help you find additional support and resources to verify and build your claim’s value.
- Provide support as you file your claim and receive questions or pushback from the Social Security Administration, including offering support for any necessary appeals.
Each step of this process requires a refined understanding of Social Security Disability laws and a thorough understanding of your symptoms. By working with an SSDI attorney, you will know if you have the right to seek a claim, how to circumvent potential weaknesses, and how to navigate appeals confidently.
Contact Pond Lehocky Disability for Help with Your Case
Pond Lehocky Disability makes it a priority to support clients who need support to get it. We become your advocate in recovering fair compensation based on your injuries and losses. As a Social Security Disability attorney, we have helped many people with conditions like PMDD get results.
With over 250 years of combined experience and a track record of over 100,000 successful cases, our Social Security disability attorneys are more than qualified to represent you. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our legal team, call 1-800-568-7500 or fill out our contact form today.
