Houston Social Security Disability Law Blog

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can affect almost anybody who has suffered through a significant, traumatic or life-threatening event. Whether you're the direct victim of physical abuse or a first-responder who has witnessed some horrific accidents, you may experience neurochemical changes in your brain that permanently alter your ability to cope with ordinary events or function normally.

How do you recognize the long-term effects of severe trauma? Long after any physical wounds have healed or a violent incident ended, trauma survivors may experience:

• Intrusive memories of the traumatic event that are deeply upsetting
• Flashbacks that cause them to relive their trauma all over again
• Problems sleeping because of the nightmares and night terrors related to their trauma
• Panic attacks or other severe emotional and physical reactions (like hyperventilating) to reminders ("triggers") of their trauma
• Problems controlling their stress reactions, including a hyper-sensitive startle reaction
• Hyper-vigilance and scanning, as if they are always suspecting violence or some renewed attack
• Self-destructive behavior, like drinking or drug use, that may subdue their memories for a while
• Angry outbursts and difficulty regulating their emotions, particularly when triggered
• Trouble retaining friendships, romantic relationships or familial ties because of their outbursts, apathy or other emotional problems
• Suicidal thoughts and overtures, especially when distressed
• Memory issues, difficulty concentrating and problems completing organized tasks
• Panic attacks or a general avoidance of people, places or situations that could remind them of their trauma

It takes quite a bit of convincing before the Social Security Administration (SSA) will agree that someone is disabled and unable to earn a living. For most disability applicants, the biggest hurdle is getting past the question about whether or not they're capable of doing any other kind of work -- especially sedentary jobs.

Sedentary jobs are considered the least physically taxing types of work activity. Someone who applies for Social Security Disability due to a back injury, for example, may clearly be unable to return to work as a bricklayer -- but SSA may insist that they could work a desk job at a phone bank with no real problem.

Diabetes is one of the most common afflictions in this country. Roughly 34.2 million people -- slightly more than 10% of the population -- suffer from some form of the disease.

Many people with diabetes live full, productive lives with little interruption to their work or personal lives. Others have a lot more trouble. The Social Security Administration recognizes that diabetes can, sometimes, be disabling.

When you file for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you probably already know you're in for a long wait before you hear any kind of answer on your claim. However, it's important to stay in touch with the Disability Examiner (DE) that's handling your case. Otherwise, you could put your entire claim in unnecessary danger.

Here's what you need to know: