Is Panic Disorder a Disability?

Is panic disorder a disability? When left untreated, it can undermine a person’s ability to live a full, productive, and satisfying lifestyle. But is it disruptive enough to warrant additional protections under the law or supplemental financial support?

If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health and need support. Call us today or head over to our admissions page to start the journey to healing and recovery!

What Is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. It is characterized by recurrent panic attacks, which are sudden surges of extreme fear, accompanied by distressing physical symptoms.

Signs & Symptoms

As established in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), panic attacks can involve symptoms such as:

• Racing heart rate
• Chest pain
• Excessive perspiration
• Trembling or shaking
• Feeling like you are being choked or smothered
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Hot flashes or chills
• Sense of detachment from your body, mind, and/or surroundings
• Concern that you are “losing you mind”
• Fear of death

Panic attacks often occur unexpectedly, with no obvious external trigger. They usually don’t last more than a few minutes, but during that time you can experience considerable anguish, to the point of becoming convinced that you are about to die.

Effects

Living through a panic attack can be excruciating. But the psychological pain of panic disorder isn’t limited to the times when an actual attack is occurring. Knowing that another one could occur at virtually any moment, with little to no warning, can cause you to be perpetually on edge.

Potential effects of untreated panic disorder can include:

• Diminished performance in school or at work
• Problems finding and keeping a job
• Difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships
• Financial challenges
• Withdrawal and isolation
• Onset or worsening of co-occurring mental health concerns
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Low confidence and poor self-esteem

Panic disorder can clearly have a profound negative impact on your life. But is it considered a disability in the eyes of the law? We’ll address that question in the next section.

Is Panic Disorder a Disability?

Is panic disorder a disability? This is a deceptively simple question that doesn’t have an equally simple answer. One key reason for this is that “disability” can mean different things in different contexts.

For the purposes of this post, we’re going to consider panic disorder and disability from the perspective of the U.S. government. Specifically, we’ll explore whether or not panic disorder would be considered a disability under the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and if it would qualify a person for disability-related benefits that are managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA)

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA, which was signed into law in 1990, prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in a range of circumstances, including:

• Employment
• Transportation
• Public accommodations
• Communications
• Access to state and local government programs and services

Several aspects of the ADA focus on physical disabilities, but the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has confirmed that the law also covers those with psychiatric conditions.

In terms of employment, the ADA bars qualified organizations from engaging in employment-related acts of discrimination based solely on a person’s mental health status. This includes people who have panic disorder.

Companies that are subject to the ADA cannot fire, refuse to hire, demote, or fail to promote a person due to their mental illness, as long as the individual can fulfill the responsibilities of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

For someone with panic disorder, reasonable accommodations could include making a position a remote or hybrid role, setting a flexible schedule, and allowing the employee to take unannounced breaks when panic attacks occur. 

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has posted a thorough overview of employee rights and responsibilities under the ADA, including how to request reasonable accommodations.

Social Security Administration (SSA)

The SSA manages two types of disability-related financial support programs:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) offers monthly stipends to people who have a disability that will prevent them from working for a year or longer. To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked for at least five of the previous 10 years. 
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides funds to people who have a disability or who are over 65. To qualify for this program, you must also have limited income and resources, meaning less than $2000 for individuals and less than $3,000 for couples.

The Social Security Administration has verified that panic disorder is on its list of qualified disabilities. 

However, it’s important to remember that having a disability is just one of the requirements for SSDI and SSI. Depending on which program you are applying for, you may also need to have an appropriate work history (for SSDI) or have assets that don’t exceed certain limits (for SSI).

Finally, the process of accessing the benefits that these programs provide can be complex, and there’s no guarantee of approval. This isn’t meant to dissuade you from applying for benefits if you believe you qualify. It simply acknowledges the amount of time and effort that it can take.

Find Treatment for Panic Disorder in Atlanta

If panic disorder has been preventing you from living the life you deserve, Novu Wellness is here to help.

Our treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, provides customized care at the partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient levels. Both of these programs are staffed by experienced professionals who take a holistic, trauma-informed approach to treatment. 

Working in active collaboration with your treatment team, you can learn to manage your symptoms, regain control of your thoughts and feelings, and make sustained progress toward improved quality of life. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.