Insomnia in and of itself is not considered a disability. However, before we can get into the nitty and gritty, we first need to define what insomnia is as many people might not be aware of what exactly it is. Insomnia is basically a sleep disorder characterized by having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Insomnia may be treated with medication or even behavioral therapy. Insomnia affects people not just in our country, but throughout the world. As per one report as many as 30% of adults suffer from it. However, there is more of a prevalence of insomnia among women and older adults.
Common Symptoms
Some common symptoms of insomnia include feeling tired in the morning after waking up, not being able to concentrate due to fatigue etc. Essentially, there are two types of insomnia; primary and secondary. If you suffer from primary insomnia it means that your insomnia is a standalone condition which is not related to any other health issue. If you are suffering from secondary insomnia, however, it means your insomnia is related to a health condition like depression, cancer etc. Suffering from insomnia can have adverse consequences on other aspects of life as well as work performance, doing daily tasks etc. You might also find yourself making a lot of mistakes at work because of suffering from insomnia. Many people suffer from such severe insomnia that it renders them unable to work.
There is no one specific cause of insomnia, rather it can be caused by stress, changes in sleep schedule, or even because of genetic reasons. Even caffeine and tobacco use have been cited as causing insomnia.
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Qualifying insomnia as a disability
If your insomnia renders you unable to work then you might be able to seek assistance from the government, in the form of disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Social Security Administration is a governmental agency which distributes benefits to those whom it deems disabled. Therefore, the key here is to have your insomnia accepted, or qualified, as a disability, in order to receive benefits.
The SSA will look at your overall condition to determine whether you are disabled. While insomnia in and of itself does not qualify as a disability as far as the SSA is concerned, you may be suffering from other conditions related to insomnia, which might help you qualify. These conditions can include heart disease, mental disorders, and digestive problems. You must also show that your insomnia is rendering you incapable of working.
So the next question is how you can prove your condition? You can prove your condition by providing medical records, mental evaluation exams, or submitting statements from your doctors attesting to your condition.
Contact us for a free consultation
If you are suffering from insomnia and want to claim disability benefits, then reach out to the experienced long-term disability attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates. We are qualified social security disability lawyers and are experienced in dealing with the Social Security Administration. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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