ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

Does anybody know if ADULT adhd qualify as a disability under the Social Security administration. I was told it did, but I have never heard of anybody on disability for adhd

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

im not reading it since im lazy and dont feel interested right now, but here:

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page1-9.html

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

In principal it would, but everyone (that includes myself) that I know of that became eligible had another disability -- 'comorbidity' -- such as depression present.

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

There are a few diagnoses that qualify easily, but most cases are decided on the basis of documented impairment, not the diagnosis.

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profes...ltListings.htm may be of interest to you, especially 12.00 Mental Disorders in which you will find the evaluation criteria for impairments such an impact on activities of daily living, social functioning, the ability to sustain concentration, and chronicity.

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

What do you mean by document impairment?

Thanks

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

Evidence that your ADHD (and/or any other disabling conditions you may have) has a serious impact on how well you function in everyday life, and prevents you from working.

For example:
- records of not being able to get or keep a job for reasons that are clearly disability-related,
- medical records documenting a history of treatment for mental disorders (and perhaps treatment failures or hospitalizations),
- etc.

It's pretty much impossible, from what I understand, to be found eligible for SSD/SSI on the basis of ADHD alone -- even if the ADHD is, in fact, extremely impairing. As Retromancer said, many people with ADHD who are found eligible also have one or more other conditions that contribute to the disability.

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

That's kinda what i figured. I recently found out my old records of diagnoses have been lost. Do you know if its possible to be re-diagnosed?

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

I have BPII and ADHD so thats how I was approved for disability.

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

Yes, you can be re-diagnosed as an adult.

For that, your best bet is to find a local psychiatrist who knows a lot about ADHD in adults (which may be a psychiatrist who treats children and adolescents as well as adults).

Bring in (or have ready) any old records you do have (medical, school, work, legal, etc.), even if they aren't much.

For treatment purposes, you can be diagnosed without a lot of fancy (read: expensive) testing. But an intake visit, without insurance, will likely run in the $250 range, and it will likely take more than one visit for the doctor to make a diagnosis.

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

what does it take to actually be diagnosed?

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

My experience ranged from getting a Dx and Rx in the same visit based on my self report and and old psychiatric file showing I had taken stimulants before with no problems; to a psychiatrist wanting me to have an extensive workup including a QEEG which insurance generally does not cover, and neuropsych testing had I not already had it done and he wanted the records for that as well.

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

I didn't read the other replies but I think you have to show all your medical and job history, and have not worked for 12 months straight due to the disability. Don't quote me on it though ;)

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

Considering that ADHD is more impairing than many of the disabilities that can more easily qualify you for benefits, it's kind of weird that they do it that way, too.

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

I would bet it's easier to get disability if you are autistic than if you have ADHD. Now if you have both, you'd be lucky I guess..

Re: ADHD and SSD/SSI
 

It depends, really. One woman I know who has moderate-severe "high functioning autism" qualified for disability on the basis of her depression, but for some reason not her autism.

I'm in the process of trying to get SSI and I am both autistic and have ADHD. I also have major depression.