While many people experience anxiety, there are specifications and criteria that must be met in order for an anxiety disorder to be considered a disability. The social security administration (SSA) has a series of criteria, in order for a mental disorder like anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder to qualify for supplemental security income (SSI) or social security disability insurance (SSDI). Call our admissions team today to learn more about your qualifications and social security disability benefits.
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits for an anxiety disorder, the SSA requires clear medical evidence showing that symptoms are severe, persistent, and significantly limit daily functioning. This typically includes documentation of frequent panic attacks, constant worry, difficulty concentrating, sleep disruption, and noticeable changes in behavior or routine. The SSA also looks for proof that symptoms have lasted—or are expected to last—for at least 12 months.
In addition to medical records, the SSA evaluates how anxiety affects major areas of life, such as your ability to work, interact with others, manage tasks, or cope with stress. You must show that your anxiety disorder causes marked or extreme limitations in functioning, or that you meet the criteria for “serious and persistent” mental illness with ongoing treatment. Thorough documentation from a therapist, psychiatrist, or treatment program strengthens your claim.
According to the SSA, the first criteria for qualifying individuals or eligibility includes medical documentation. An individual must share medical records proving the existence of a mental health condition via medical evidence for validity. The medical documentation should outline the occurrence of the following symptoms:
Anxiety disorder, characterized by three or more of the following;
Panic disorder or agoraphobia, characterized by one or both:
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, characterized by one or both:
An individual’s anxiety disorder must have an impact or limit functioning in a workplace setting:
The SSA then will determine the degree to which an individual’s medically determinable mental impairment affects the four areas of mental functioning and your ability to function independently, appropriately, effectively, and on a sustained basis.1 Lastly, the SSA notes whether or not the mental health disorder is “serious and persistent,” through the evaluation of medical records, marginal adjustment in daily life, medical treatment, or hospitalization for treatment.
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure; it’s considered a future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat.2 Types of anxiety disorders can include but are not limited to:
An estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives, and approximately 31.9% of adolescents struggle with any anxiety disorder.3 If you or your loved one are struggling with anxiety and looking for effective treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out to AMFM Mental Health Treatment to begin your mental health recovery process today.
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Anxiety support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
See our residences in Southern California’s Orange County & San Diego County.
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View our facilities in Fairfax County, VA within the DC metro area.
Anxiety can affect individuals differently, which often requires individual treatment. There are a variety of anxiety treatment options that can be used to address the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of this condition. At AMFM Mental Health Treatment, we incorporate a combination of traditional modalities and evidence-based therapies for long-term recovery. Some of the most common approaches used in anxiety counseling sessions include:
Individual therapy takes place in a one on one setting with a licensed professional, usually consisting of a combination of dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies, in which a person can talk through his or her individual struggles. Individual therapy and mental health care is one of the most crucial steps for those facing mental health challenges.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress.
AMFM Mental Health Treatment provides comprehensive psychiatric care, along with traditional therapeutic modalities. Our on-staff clinicians are equipped to design personalized treatment plans for your continued success. In combination with psychotherapy, psychiatric care is handled safely, to help you or your loved one overcome mental health challenges.
The admission process for A Mission For Michael mental health treatment centers can have slight variations. However, there are several shared characteristics and components in our admission process. This allows us to efficiently and effectively evaluate your needs, and determine the best course of action. Here is a general overview of what you can expect:
The first step is to reach out for help. Our admission counselors will ask for a brief overview of your symptoms as well as your contact information.
The next step is to complete an intake form, which provides us with important information for the admission process.
Next, we will schedule you for your evaluation. This can include the use of a disinhibited social engagement disorder assessment, which helps us better understand your symptoms and overall level of distress.
Our clinical team will take the information they learned and developed your personalized disinhibited social engagement disorder treatment plan. This will be used to guide your treatment in our treatment program.
Next we will verify your coverage so that you can make an informed decision about treatment while understanding your financial responsibilities.
We will then ensure that the necessary steps have been completed so that you can seamlessly begin engaging in treatment.
Depending on your treatment needs, we may provide your family with an orientation and overview of what to expect while you’re engaging in DSED treatment.
After your admission, we will provide you with a structured treatment schedule. You can then begin attending treatment as scheduled, and working towards the goals on your DSED treatment plan.
Complete the form to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. All communication is 100% confidential.
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“12.00 Mental Disorders – Adult | Disability.” SSA, https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm. Accessed 6 May 2025.
“Anxiety.” American Psychological Association, https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety. Accessed 8 April 2025.
“Any Anxiety Disorder – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).” National Institute of Mental Health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder. Accessed 8 April 2025
“Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy.” American Psychological Association, 31 October 2019, https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/group-therapy. Accessed 20 February 2025.
“APA Dictionary of Psychology.” APA Dictionary of Psychology, https://dictionary.apa.org/cognitive-behavior-therapy. Accessed 20 February 2025.
“What is EMDR?” EMDR Institute, https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/. Accessed 20 February 2025.
MA, Carlberg K. “Crisis Intervention – StatPearls.” NCBI, 24 April 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559081/. Accessed 20 February 2025.
It can be. Anxiety may qualify as a disability when it’s clinically diagnosed, well-documented, long-lasting, and significantly limits daily functioning—especially in work and social areas.
The SSA typically looks for strong medical documentation of symptoms and how they impact your functioning over time. This often includes records showing persistent symptoms, level of impairment, and how anxiety affects your ability to manage everyday demands.
Consistent records from licensed providers are important—such as therapy or psychiatric notes, diagnosis history, treatment participation, and details about how symptoms interfere with daily routines, relationships, and work-related functioning.
In many cases, the SSA looks for symptoms that have lasted—or are expected to last—at least 12 months, along with evidence that the condition creates significant functional limitations.
We offer evidence-based anxiety treatment for adults, which may include individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric care, and structured programming based on your needs. If you reach out, we can talk through options and help you verify insurance coverage.
At AMFM, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate medical information based on current best practices, evolving information, and our team’s approach to care. Our aim is that our readers can make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Our reviewers are credentialed medical providers specializing and practicing behavioral healthcare. We follow strict guidelines when fact-checking information and only use credible sources when citing statistics and medical information. Look for the medically reviewed badge on our articles for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate or out of date, please let us know at info@amfmhealthcare.com
