Search Site
Menu

Mental Health Worsening in 2020

Mental Health Worsening in 2020

I was reading an article the other day in the New York Times based on a study performed on the mental well-being of Americans during 2020.  Life can be difficult enough, but when you add in the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and bitter divide in the country surrounding the Presidential election, many are struggling to maintain.  Reports of depression and anxiety are on the rise.

Depression and anxiety are something we all have to deal with from time to time, and for the vast majority of us, fortunately it is nothing more than a feeling which quickly passes.  For those who suffer from chronic depression or an anxiety disorder though, it can be a cloud which darkens every aspect of their life and severely hampers their ability to interact with others or maintain steady employment.

Typical symptoms of clinical depression include: feelings of hopelessness, feelings of guilt, low self esteem, trouble sleeping, sleeping too much, fatigue, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, weight fluctuations and thoughts of harming oneself.  If you suffer from at least four of the above symptoms and the effects cause a marked restriction is you ability to perform activities of daily living or social functioning or causes marked difficulty in maintaining focus and concentration, you may be entitled to disability benefits.

As for anxiety, there are five recognized types of anxiety disorders the Social Security Administration recognizes as disabling when severe: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Social Phobia.  These disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness in that these symptoms include overwhelming feelings of panic and fear, uncontrolled obsessive thoughts, recurring nightmares and are often accompanied by physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, nausea and other uncomfortable sensations.  These symptoms wash over a person for no apparent reason and do not easily pass.

If you are struggling with anxiety and/or depression-know that you are not alone, but if your symptoms are such that you are currently unable to maintain steady employment, then you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits.

If you live in Alabama+ and have questions about your right to Social Security Disability benefits, don’t hesitate to contact and speak with one of the Alabama Disability Attorneys at Powell and Denny today for a free consultation.  Virtual appointments are available through Zoom, so you can meet with one of our experienced attorneys from the safety, comfort and convenience of your home.

Powell and Denny: We Work When You Can’t

Offices in Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, AL

Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 7 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 3 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry

Mr. Denny is AV rated by Martindale Hubbard (the highest rating possible) and Mr. Powell has been rated as Superior by The National Registry and selected as a Lawyer of Distinction.

 

+ Powell and Denny have successfully represented disabled workers from Birmingham, Huntsville, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Athens, Decatur, Town Creek Ardmore, Hartselle, Madison, Toney, Scottsboro, Ft. Payne, New Hope, Guntersville, Albertville, Boaz, Ashville, Anniston, Gadsden, Cullman, Jasper, Gardendale, Morris, Kimberly, Centerpoint, Leeds, Tarrant City, Fairfield, Hueytown, Bessemer, Adger, Tuscaloosa, Cordova, Alabaster, Pelham, Harpersville, Opelika, Phenix City, Montgomery, Clanton, Calera, Enterprise, Monroeville, Mobile, Evergreen and towns and cities in between.

 

 

Alabama Disability Attorneys

Birmingham Social Security Disability Attorneys

Huntsville Social Security Disability Attorneys

 

Mental Health Worsening in 2020

Contact us

Please fill out the form below and one of our attorneys will contact you.

Quick Contact Form

Our Office
  • Birmingham Office
    1320 Alford Avenue
    Suite 201
    Birmingham, Alabama 35226
    Phone: 205-978-2051
    Fax: 205-978-2054
  • Huntsville Office
    600 Boulevard South
    SW Suite 104
    Huntsville, Alabama 35802
    Phone: 256-705-3510
    Fax: 256-705-3513

We Wrote the Book

My Alabama Disability Claim
by William Powell & Gregory Denny
Click Here to Get Your Free Copy