Disability insurance carriers often deny the limitations caused by post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). How can disability insurance attorneys Dell & Schaefer assist you with a PTSD claim for disability benefits?
As disability attorneys, Dell & Schaefer have represented numerous long term disability claimants that have been unable to work as a result of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In many of the PTSD claims we handled we often see disability carriers attempt to deny a PTSD claim based upon the act of war exclusion in most disability insurance policies.
It is not unusual for a person disabled by PTSD to become unable to work many months or even years after the traumatic event that contributes to the PTSD diagnosis. As a result, many disability insurance companies will wrongfully argue that there is nothing wrong with you since you have been able to work for so many months or years after your traumatic event. For example, our firm represents numerous 9/11 World Trade Center survivors that attempted to work for several months or even years after the 9/11 attacks. Most of the 9/11 claimants we represent continue to have significant limitations and restrictions as a result of PTSD.
Disability Attorneys Dell & Schaefer have an expansive understanding of the significant restrictions and limitations that a person suffering with post traumatic stress disorder must live with on a daily basis. We have worked closely with top physicians in order to sufficiently satisfy a disability carrier’s threshold of evidence necessary to prove that a client is disabled by suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Not everyone suffering from post traumatic stress disorder qualifies for long-term disability benefits; therefore the medical records of each client must be reviewed to determine the level of restrictions. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your long-term disability claim. You can contact us for a free initial consultation.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder that’s triggered by a traumatic event.
Many people who are involved in traumatic events have a brief period of difficulty adjusting and coping. Normally with time and healthy coping methods, these traumatic reactions usually improve. In some cases, though, the symptoms can get worse or last for months or even years. In these cases, a person may have post-traumatic stress disorder.
Getting treatment as soon as possible after post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms develop may prevent PTSD from becoming a long-term condition.
Researchers are still trying to better understand what causes someone to get post-traumatic stress disorder. As with most mental illnesses, post-traumatic stress disorder is probably caused by a complex mix of an inherited predisposition to psychiatric illness, the amount and severity of trauma a person has experienced and the way your brain regulates the chemicals and hormones releases in response to stress.
People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. Approximately 7.7 million Americans, aged 18 and older suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder is especially common among those who have served in combat, and it’s sometimes called “shell shock,” “battle fatigue” or “combat stress.”
Women are four times more likely than men to develop PTSD. Experts believe this is because women are at increased risk of experiencing the kinds of interpersonal violence, such as sexual violence, which can lead to PTSD.
People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. Approximately 7.7 million Americans, aged 18 and older suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder is especially common among those who have served in combat, and it’s sometimes called “shell shock,” “battle fatigue” or “combat stress.”
Women are four times more likely than men to develop PTSD. Experts believe this is because women are at increased risk of experiencing the kinds of interpersonal violence, such as sexual violence, which can lead to PTSD.
Other traumatic events also can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, including fire, natural disaster, mugging, robbery, assault, civil conflict, car accident, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist attack and other extreme or life-threatening events.
How the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect you
Post-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt your whole life: your job, your relationships and even your enjoyment of everyday activities.
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are commonly grouped into three types: intrusive memories, avoidance and numbing, and increased anxiety or emotional arousal (hyperarousal).
Symptoms of intrusive memories may include flashbacks in which a person may relive the traumatic event for minutes or even days at a time or have recurring nightmares of the event.
Symptoms of avoidance and emotional numbing may include trying to avoid thinking of the traumatic event, feeling emotionally numb, avoiding activities previously enjoyed, a sense of hopelessness, memory and concentration problems and difficulty maintaining close relationships.
Symptoms of anxiety and increased emotional arousal may include increased irritability or anger, overwhelming guilt or shame, self destructive behavior (such as alcoholism or drug addiction), insomnia, and being easily startled or frightened. Having PTSD also may place you at a higher risk of other mental health problems, such as depression, drug or alcohol abuse, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts and actions. In most disability claims we have handled a person suffering with PTSD usually is suffering with either depression or anxiety at the same time.
In addition, studies of war veterans who suffer from PTSD have demonstrated a link between PTSD and the development of medical illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal conditions.
Types of treatment for post traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment often includes both medications and psychotherapy. This combined approach can help improve your symptoms and teach you skills to cope better with the traumatic event and its aftermath.
Treatment may include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD and trauma involves carefully and gradually “exposing” yourself to thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind you of the trauma. Therapy also involves identifying upsetting thoughts about the traumatic event and replacing them with more balanced picture.
Another type of therapy is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation, such as hand taps or sounds. Eye movements and other bilateral forms of stimulation are thought to work by “unfreezing” the brain’s information processing system, which is interrupted in times of extreme stress, leaving only frozen emotional fragments which retain their original intensity. Once EMDR frees these fragments of the trauma, they can be integrated into a cohesive memory and processed.
Since PTSD affects both you and those closest to you, family therapy can be especially beneficial. Family therapy can help loved ones understand what you’re going through and help everyone in the family communicate better and work through relationship problems.
Medication is sometimes prescribed to people with PTSD to relieve secondary symptoms of depression or anxiety, but it does not treat the causes of PTSD.
Resources
There are many valuable sources of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) information available. You can also access resources over the internet such as:
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD
- National Institute of Mental Health
There are numerous charities dedicated to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research, detection and treatment including Anxiety Disorders Association of America
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