Filing for SSD with Anxiety Disorders: How Gabe Hermann Can Help You

Anxiety is often misunderstood as simple “stress” or “nervousness,” but for those living with severe anxiety disorders, the reality is much more debilitating. It can manifest as paralyzing panic attacks, an inability to leave the house, or a constant state of fear that makes focusing on even simple tasks impossible.

If your anxiety has made it impossible to maintain a job, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. However, winning a claim based on a mental health condition like anxiety is notoriously difficult. Gabe Hermann and the team at New York Metro Disability specialize in navigating the complex hurdles the Social Security Administration (SSA) puts in your path.

Understanding the SSA’s Strict Criteria for Anxiety

To qualify for disability benefits, your anxiety must be more than a diagnosis; it must be a “medically determinable impairment” that prevents you from working. The SSA evaluates these claims under Listing 12.06 (Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders).

To meet this listing, you must provide medical documentation of one of the following:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Characterized by at least three symptoms such as restlessness, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance.
  • Panic Disorder or Agoraphobia: Documented by panic attacks followed by persistent fear of future attacks or intense fear of leaving the home/being in crowds.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Characterized by time-consuming preoccupations or repetitive behaviors.

Furthermore, you must prove that your condition results in an “extreme” limitation in one area of mental functioning, or a “marked” (severe) limitation in two of these areas:

  1. Understanding, remembering, or applying information.
  2. Interacting with others (coworkers, supervisors, or the public).
  3. Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace.
  4. Adapting or managing oneself (controlling emotions and behavior in a work setting).

Why Mental Health Claims Are Frequently Denied

Unlike a broken bone or a lung condition that shows up clearly on an X-ray, anxiety is “invisible.” The SSA often denies these claims because:

  • Lack of Consistent Treatment: If you have gaps in your therapy or psychiatric visits, the SSA may assume your condition isn’t “that bad.”
  • Subjectivity of Symptoms: Since anxiety relies heavily on self-reporting, claims often fail if there isn’t objective clinical evidence to back up your personal experience.
  • Failure to Follow Treatment: If you aren’t taking prescribed medications, the SSA may argue that your condition would improve if you complied with medical advice.

Gabe Hermann understands these pitfalls and knows how to counter them before they lead to a denial.

How Gabe Hermann and New York Metro Disability Build Your Case

At NYMetroDisability.com, we take the burden of proof off your shoulders. Here is how Gabe Hermann uses his 25+ years of experience to help you win:

1. Developing the “Functional” Story

The SSA doesn’t just care about your diagnosis; they care about your function. We work with your mental health professionals to document how your anxiety affects your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). We ask the right questions: Can you handle the stress of a deadline? Do you withdraw from people when anxious? How often do you suffer from “brain fog” that stops you from completing a task?

2. Gathering Specialized Evidence

Gabe Hermann ensures your file is packed with more than just basic doctor’s notes. We look for:

  • Psychological Testing Results: Objective data from standardized tests that measure concentration and memory.
  • Third-Party Statements: We help gather “Function Reports” from friends or family members who can testify to the daily struggles they witness.
  • Long-Term Longitudinal Records: Proving that your anxiety has persisted for at least 12 months, even with treatment.

3. Expert Representation at the Hearing

If your case goes before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), you need an advocate who can speak the SSA’s language. Gabe Hermann is a former President of the New York Social Security Bar Association. He knows which judges focus on specific medical details and how to cross-examine vocational experts who might try to claim there are “simple” jobs you can still do.

Your Advocate in the New York Metro Area

Navigating the legal system while struggling with an anxiety disorder can feel like an impossible task. The paperwork alone can trigger a panic response. Gabe Hermann provides a calm, professional, and supportive environment for clients in Tarrytown, Hackensack, and throughout the New York City region.

We handle every step, from the initial application to the final appeal, so you can focus on your mental well-being.

Legal Tip: Many people wait until they are completely out of money to apply. Because the SSD process can take months or even years, it is vital to contact a lawyer as soon as your anxiety prevents you from working full-time.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Don’t fight the Social Security Administration alone. Let our experience work for you. Contact Gabe Hermann at New York Metro Disability today to find out if your anxiety disorder qualifies for benefits.

Call us at 914-286-3030 or visit NYMetroDisability.com to start your free consultation.