Does depression count?

[Audacious]

Hey there.

I have depression, a mood disorder and an anxiety disorder. Am I disabled? I am just curious. It seems like a disability because it makes my body work differently and I can't function through certain things that other people are able to do without thinking twice.

Jennifer.

[Thirteen]

Originally Posted by ForeverChanged

I have depression, a mood disorder and an anxiety disorder. Am I disabled?

Well, with Depression and Anxiety, it depends on the severity whether it's legally considered a disability. But in a way, it can be a Mental Disability. It's not always a Mental Disability, though.

As I said, it just depends on the severity and how it affects your everyday life. May I ask why you're wondering?

[JackOffJill]

I know that here in the USA some states consider depression and anxiety a disability. In the college that I attend I receive accommodations in my classes because of my social anxiety so according to my school I have a disability. In high school I was classified special ed so there the same thing, I was considered to have a disability. I know people who suffer from depression and anxiety who receive benefits from the state because they are unable to work because of their disability. So to answer your question, I consider it a disability- not in a bad sense, just in the fact that accommodations need to be made sometimes and thats just a fact, its nothing to be ashamed of because its not like anyone asks to be depressed or anxious. I hope that answered your question.

[Apollo]

I know several people that have attempted to get disability benefits because of their mental disorder(s), including mild to severe depression, PTSD, and anxiety. A few of them have been accepted for disability and some have not. Somebody already mentioned this, but it can depend on the severity of your depression, mood, and anxiety disorder.

[LittleFish]

Legal matters are a different story, but I personally don't consider it a disability unless it strongly affects you in a way that's disruptive to everyday life. For instance, if you're so depressed that you can't get out of bed in the morning or can't keep up with anything in your life, it's a disability because it's affecting the way you live and making things harder for you than they should be. When it comes to anxiety, it's the same thing. If it's so bad that you stay home because you can't handle facing something, it's disabling you.

[Vision]

Just been on a disability awareness course. For the UK, it wholly depends on the severity, like most of the people above have said. So the answer is possibly, i guess it's something to look into.

xx

[nelicopterr]

I have Bi-Polar Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder. I was recently advised to apply for DLA (Disability Living Allowance) so I guess it does depend on the severity and how it affects your daily life. I would talk to someone and definitely say there is no harm in trying.

[losing touch.]

Originally Posted by itsEllie

I have Bi-Polar Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder. I was recently advised to apply for DLA (Disability Living Allowance) so I guess it does depend on the severity and how it affects your daily life. I would talk to someone and definitely say there is no harm in trying.

DLA is such a bitch to apply for but it's worth it.

as for Depression being a disability i agree with Ellie ^^. it does depend on the severity of it. i would definitely consider Severe depression a disability at it can have a very big impact on your life and prevent you from living a 'normal' life.

[The Man And XX Master]

It can be a disability depending on how adversely affected you are. However, depression is the most common mental illness, so I'm unsure if it would be considered a disability. Anxiety disorders are being considered as a disability more at least in Canada when PTSD when finally considered one in the year 2000, partly from Retired Lt. Gen. Romeo Delaire (I think that's spelled right). Of course, this doesn't mean everyone with PTSD suffers from a disability, it means they are eligible for consideration.

So basically everything (or nearly everything) counts on a case-by-case basis.

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

A Disability is defined by the ADA as something that keeps one from being able to preform certain functions without reasonable fixes ramps or other things to make it easier. In that sense, I guess it could be.

[Audacious]

Thanks guys It was just something I was wondering about. I once joked with my therapist that I wanted to get a blue handicapped sticker for my car so I could park in special places, but she laughed and said that's not nessesary.

[losing touch.]

Originally Posted by ForeverChanged

Thanks guys It was just something I was wondering about. I once joked with my therapist that I wanted to get a blue handicapped sticker for my car so I could park in special places, but she laughed and said that's not nessesary.

lol, you probably could get one actually. they hand them out quite easily (well at least they do here.)

[Apollo]

Originally Posted by Elle.

lol, you probably could get one actually. they hand them out quite easily (well at least they do here.)

Really? My uncle was denied one after he got a two-leg amputation after an accident. They rarely give them out here...

[Anna Skye]

It all depends on the severity of your depression whether or not it's legally considered a "disability," but if you believe it's disabling you, I personally would consider it a disability, regardless of what the law says.

[captain_obvious]

I would say that if it significantly interferes with your ability to work or other aspects of your life and health, then yes it's a disability.

[llamasliketoparty]

I concur with some of the previous posts. If it is really weighing down your life and making it so you can't function well it is a disability.

[MadPoet]

I agree that it depends on the severity. I have depression, but I'm not suicidal and I can still look at life reasonably and know that I shouldn't turn to suicide. So I don't believe that I am disabled. I have been before, though, before I was treated with medication and therapy for my depression. So I think it depends on the degree of your depression and how it affects your mind.

[Running on Faith]

Originally Posted by ForeverChanged

It seems like a disability because it makes my body work differently and I can't function through certain things that other people are able to do without thinking twice.

this quote might cover it but i never thought of it as a disability before. its not physical. many people function that way as you do but arent disabled. you might have a disability but its not called depression,anxiety/mood disorder. must be something else...
correct me if needed.

[Thirteen]

Originally Posted by ForeverChanged

It seems like a disability because it makes my body work differently and I can't function through certain things that other people are able to do without thinking twice.

Any examples of scenarios where this occours?