Can You Get Long Term Disability Benefits for Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is one of the most difficult mental conditions to treat. In many cases, those struggling with bipolar disorder experience frequent mood swings between manic and depressive extremes. These mood swings make every day an ordeal. If you suffer from bipolar disorder and believe you are no longer capable of working due to your symptoms, please read on, then contact one of our experienced long term disability insurance attorneys to learn if you can get long term disability benefits for bipolar disorder.

Can you get long term disability benefits for bipolar disorder?

You can absolutely qualify for long term disability benefits due to bipolar disorder. However, you will need to provide strong evidence to your insurance company of your disabling symptoms in order to get your claim approved. The Social Security Administration has established that a claimant with bipolar disorder must have a history of consistent symptomatic manic episodes, depressive syndromes, or a combination of both. These symptoms must be severe enough that they negatively impact your ability to hold down a job.

What types of bipolar disorder qualify for disability benefits?

You will need to demonstrate that you have one of the four types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar I Disorder, which includes manic episodes of at least seven days and depressive periods of two weeks that possibly require hospitalization; Bipolar II Disorder, characterized by less extreme manic periods and more pronounced depressive cycles; Cyclothymic Disorder, featuring numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms for at least two years; and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders, which do not meet the aforementioned criteria. But proving these claims will be an uphill battle because insurance companies will fight you every step of the way.

How do you prove you have debilitating bipolar disorder?

First and foremost, you would be well advised to reach out to one of our skilled nationwide long term disability insurance attorneys. Our qualified legal representatives will obtain, document and submit the following evidence to the appropriate bodies:

• Medical documentation of a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, characterized by at least three of the subsequent symptoms:
• Pressured speech
• Flight of ideas
• Inflated self-esteem
• Decreased need for sleep
• Distractibility
• Involvement in activities that have a high probability of painful consequences that are not recognized
• Increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation
• Limited understanding, remembering or applying of information
• Difficulty interacting with others
• Struggling to concentrate, persist or maintain pace
• Inability to adapt or manage oneself

Let a renowned firm fight for you and your future.

Contact our experienced nationwide firm

If you or someone you know is looking to receive long term disability benefits and needs the help of an experienced attorney, speak with our nationwide LTD attorneys today. Our firm has significant experience helping people just like you obtain or defend their long term disability benefits. Contact Walker & Hern for a free consultation.