Senior Lifestyle

Is Depression a Disability? Types, Tips and More

Written by Dayna C
Last Updated :
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People use the word “depressed” so much in everyday parlance to describe they are feeling down, sad, or dull, while others really do experience depression in all its forms but rarely talk about it.

However, one question imposes itself about this topic– is depression a disability?

When we talk about depression, you should know there are a couple of types and behaviors with different people, so it might take some time to consolidate whether a person is depressed or not.

In this article, we will talk about the signs that point out to depression as a disability, as well about the ones that claim oppositely.

Types of Depression

A question “Is depression a disability?” somehow has two sides of the story, as we can say both yes and no to it.

Even though it is also a bit tricky to answer to this, but still, some common factors are certain indicators of depression.

Your mental health is what matters and you should pay attention to how you feeling.

In case you are dealing with some of these symptoms, there is a chance you are depressed:

• You don’t feel like going out and hanging with your family and friends,

• Daily headaches and muscle pains,

• Dealing with a sleep disorder,

• You rely upon drinking sedatives or alcohol almost every day,

• There is no activity that makes you feel happy or satisfied,

• You have drastic mood changes, going from overwhelmed to sad or frustrated,

• Even though you don’t do anything physically demanding, you are feeling tired all the time,

• You keep on thinking and saying that you are not good enough, or that your family wouldn’t miss you if you are not with them, or if you believe you are worthless and miserable.

We will stress out again that these indicators don’t always mean you are depressed, but if you agree with most of them it would be best to talk to a doctor.

Remember that everybody has most of these symptoms at some point in their lives, but pay attention to how long this phase has been hitting on you.

We will now list down the most common types of depression, just in case you would like to set things with yourself first before seeing a doctor.

1. Major,

2. Chronic,

3. Atypical,

4. Postpartum,

5. Bipolar,

6. Seasonal,

7. Psychotic,

8. Treatment-resistant depression.

The answer to a question is depression a disability in case of most of the types of depression is – yes.

If you want to have a normal and happy life, it is important to find a way to deal with it and meet a doctor, as long-term depression affects your life negatively in so many aspects.

Are you just feeling down?

If you have any doubts about whether you are depressed or just feeling down, there is a way to make a distinction here.

Let’s be clear – your mood is changeable daily and sadness is a normal emotion just like happiness.

Painful, emotional, disappointing, or challenging situations put us in front of a question if you are depressed.

The main difference between depression and sadness is – time.

If you recently had a hurtful or unpleasant experience that changed you, but you are still coping with it and the pain fades away bit by bit, you are not depressed.

On the other side, if there is no actual reason to be sad or feeling of emptiness and sadness doesn’t seem to go away, this is a warning sign.

Your energy is dead-low, you are not enjoying time with your friends and family, there is no way to control your emotions and you switch from sad to angry, chances are getting higher.

Misunderstanding

In a time that we live in, there is so much life coaches and motivational speakers that regular people listen to eagerly.

They propagate the sentences such as “Choose to be happy”, “Build your way to the stars”, “Make your dream board and have faith in the law of attraction”, etc.

These sentences surely do have positive connotations, but can we apply them to people with depression?

A depressed person would probably get angry or sad by listening to them.

If you are a depressed person, you would think that no one understands you, or that you know how to do things by your own, or you would maybe even doubt good intentions of a friend who is telling you some of the motivational sentences.

When you ask if depression is a disability, you can partially conclude that a regular person would react differently to these situations.

Impossibility to approach things from the common sense perspective will cause anger or sadness within a depressed person, which makes him/her mentally disabled when it comes to valuation of a situation.

Can a Depressed Person Get a Job?

Another question that poses itself is whether a depressed person gets a job.

The answer to this question is related to the question is depression a disability.

It all depends on which type of depression is a person diagnosed with.

For example, people with a diagnosis of major and chronic depression can get disability benefits for depression.

Equality Act from 2010 defines depression as a disability, as a state of mental impairment and that affects your life negatively for more than one year.

As most depressed people feel like doing nothing most of the time, it is very hard for them to find a job and society shouldn’t put any pressure on them about this topic.

Getting out of the bed for work might seem like the worst nightmare for a depressed person, not to mention stress at work and investing their energy in it.

A depressed person would take much more time than a regular person to fulfill a simple task, such as getting dressed.

Most persons diagnosed with depression have sleep disorders (which we mentioned up above) and have difficulties with concentrating.

Again, much depends on the type of depression, as, for example, major depression disability doesn’t go away in a few days or weeks such as some other types.

If you have any doubts about this, you should go and see your doctor in order to determine whether you are depressed or not.

You would also have to collect all the necessary documentation with a Social Security Disability attorney and fulfill the requirements for receiving benefits.

In case you are dealing with major depression, you will be able to apply for social security disability benefits.

People who are already receiving other benefits will certainly receive reduced amounts.

This means you wouldn’t have to go to work if you don’t feel like so, as governments are aware of the fact how depression affects people’s minds and moods.

On the other side, if you still feel like capable of going to work, you can find some jobs specified for people with disabilities, such as depression.

This means you can get a job with flexible hours, support at work, and understanding employer in case your monthly incomes are not enough or if you would like to have a job, which is good, as you can make a choice.

Millions of people with disabilities around the world are employed. Some people consider wearing glasses as a disability just because it is visible.

You, in this case, are dealing with invisible disability, but it would be best not to look at it as a form of disability.

Conclusion

Nobody knows better how are you feeling, but talking to a specialist might help you figure some things out.

If you are feeling lost, miserable, sad, frustrated, like nobody can understand you or help you, and you have sleep and diet disorders, these signs probably point out to a state of depression.

In this aspect, you know best if you feel like this all the time, or this is just a periodical (a couple of times a year), seasonal (depending on weather) etc.

Among several types of depression, you will easily recognize the one you are possibly dealing with.

If you went to a doctor and he/she has affirmed you are dealing with major or chronic depression, that means you might appertain to a category of mentally disabled persons. Also, your psychiatrist will give you therapy and medications you need for the phase you are in.

It is also very important to try to understand as much as we can people who are diagnosed with depression.

Our advice might be well-intentioned, but depression is a more serious state than just having a bad day and positive thinking sometimes doesn’t work at all.

Still, don’t let depression get you out of the way completely.

There is a chance for each one of us to live a good and happy life.

You might need to invest some effort in this all, but it will be totally worth it in the end.

So, the answer to a question “Is depression a disability” is – yes, in case a person is diagnosed with major depression, while most of the other types of depression might not be considered as a disability.

About Author

Dayna C
Dayna has an incredible passion for helping others and a background as an in-home caregiver for the elderly. She left the field temporarily three years ago to stay at home with her twins, but found that she really missed working with senior citizens. She launched LoAids as a way to help not just her own loved ones and former clients, but ALL seniors live life to the fullest in their golden years. Follow her on LINKEDIN and TWITTER. Read her LATEST POSTS. Learn more about her HERE.

3 thoughts on “Is Depression a Disability? Types, Tips and More”

  1. My best online friend has been suffering from depression for almost a year now. Her boyfriend recently broke up with her and it left her really broken hearted. She has been ignoring my messages, and I’m really starting to get worried. She had been talking about suicide, and one day she actually called the depression hotline for help. It has been a month since I last contacted her. I’m really worried.

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