What This Can Feel Like
Anxiety and PTSD are not just stress or bad memories. They can affect your ability to function throughout the day.
You may experience:
- Panic attacks, racing thoughts, or constant fear
- Trouble focusing or finishing tasks
- Avoiding people, places, or conversations
- Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories
- Difficulty sleeping or handling stress
- Even if you “seem fine,” your symptoms may make steady work difficult or impossible.
How Social Security Looks at Anxiety and PTSD
Social Security does not approve claims based on diagnosis alone. They look at the medical evidence and how your condition affects your ability to work full-time.
They consider whether:
- Your condition is medically documented
- It has lasted (or will last) at least 12 months
- Your symptoms limit focus, reliability, social interaction, and stress tolerance
The key question: Can you work consistently and reliably?
Why These Claims Are Challenging
- Symptoms are often invisible
- Medical records may not reflect your worst days
- You may struggle to talk about trauma or stay in treatment
We help present the full picture—not just what shows up in brief medical notes.
How We Help
When you contact Spector & Lenz, you speak directly with a lawyer who understands these cases.
We:
- Listen carefully and without judgment
- Review your records for patterns and gaps
- Help you clearly explain your daily limitations
- Prepare you for hearings so you are not facing them alone
We focus on showing how your symptoms affect your ability to work day after day.
When to Reach Out
You may want to talk to us if:
- You cannot handle typical work situations due to anxiety or PTSD
- You have frequent panic attacks or overwhelming fear
- You struggle with focus, sleep, or being around others
- You tried working, but could not keep it up
You do not have to figure this out on your own. We can help you understand your options.
Anxiety and
PTSD FAQ
Yes. Social Security recognizes anxiety disorders and trauma-related conditions, including PTSD, when the symptoms are serious enough to keep you from working regularly.
Yes. Strong claims usually include records from a psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, or other provider showing your symptoms, treatment, and how your condition affects daily life.
That is common. Social Security is supposed to look at the pattern over time and whether you can work on a regular, reliable basis day after day.
That is very common too. You do not need to share every detail of what happened, but Social Security does need enough information to understand how your symptoms limit your ability to work.
Disclaimer
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.