Patients with schizophrenia may be unable to work because of their disease and its related complications. Patients who find themselves unable to work because of their schizophrenia may qualify for long term disability (LTD) benefits. The insurance company will review their claim to see if they qualify under the conditions of that plan.
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that involves a splitting of mental functions that often gets it confused with “split personality” or multiple personality disorder. It is a complicated illness, the origins of which have not yet been discovered. It is thought to be primarily a hereditary disease, as most of the people who have schizophrenia are related to someone with it. Its symptoms usually develop in the teen and young adult periods and will typically last for years.
The symptoms primarily deal with a breakdown of normal-speed thought processes and the development of poor emotional response. The condition makes it difficult for one to tell the difference between reality and imagination and can cause an inability to think clearly for any length of time.
The effects of schizophrenia usually begin with trouble sleeping or concentrating and a tense, irritable state of mind. As the disease develops, it is normal to experience a lack of emotions, appearances of hallucinations and delusions and a tendency to isolate oneself. Many patients claim to hear voices, which adds to the false assumption that it causes multiple personalities.
Common subtypes include paranoid schizophrenia, which is characterized by a delusional belief that people are trying to harm you or a loved one, disorganized schizophrenia, which features scatterbrained, childlike behavior and an inability to focus, and catatonic schizophrenia, which causes the affected person to stay in bizarre positions for extended periods and respond very little to other people. It is not uncommon for someone to experience symptoms of more than one different kind of schizophrenia at once or during separate periods.
Qualifying for Long Term Disability
Working with an experienced disability attorney will give you the best chance of getting the benefits you deserve for your schizophrenia. Even if you have been denied benefits, that does not mean your fight is over. Many people are denied benefits the first time they apply. You have the right to file an appeal and try to get more information that may help your case. Getting expert help is often the difference between being denied and being approved for benefits.
While the process can be daunting, your experienced disability attorney will be able to guide you through the process. They do not get paid until you win your case. You can seek help without worrying about upfront costs or unexpected bills.
Those suffering from schizophrenia often find it hard to function in normal situations and have trouble with housing, job training, and other important aspects of life. If you or a loved one has become disabled from schizophrenia, you may be eligible for long term disability benefits. Call long term disability attorney Nick A. Ortiz, who handles mental health disability claims, at (888) 321-8131 for a free case evaluation and more information.