March 4, 2022

Is Mental Illness Technically Considered a Disability?

Mental illness

Many questions and misunderstandings exist concerning mental illness. And yet, “Mental illness has touched many of our families and many of our friends. . . . Mental illness is a problem affecting all sectors of American society. It shows up in both the rural and urban areas. It affects men and women, teenagers and the elderly, every ethnic group and people in every tax bracket.”

MENTAL ILLNESS VS DISABILITY

This is a common question posed to our team at Gratitude Lodge: “is having a mental illness considered a disability?” This question reflects the inherent lack of knowledge concerning mental illness across our society. The short answer to this question is “yes,” and this is verified by many state and federal laws.

Mental Health

SOME NUMBERS ON MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE UNITED STATES

Mental illness is also sometimes called “Psychiatric disability.” This term is used more often in legal contexts, while “mental illness” is more commonly used in medical or general settings. The following statistics from the ADA National Network demonstrate how prevalent mental illness is across our society:

     

      • Examples of psychiatric diagnoses include anxiety disorder, depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

      • Overall, about 44 million adults in the U.S. report having had any mental health condition during the past year, representing about 18.5% of the U.S. population.

      • Among these U.S. adults, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that:

           

            • 18% have an anxiety disorder (including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder)

            • 9.5% have depression

            • 4% have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

            • 2.6% have bipolar disorder

            • 1% have schizophrenia

        • About 18% of workers in the U.S. report having a mental health condition in any given month. This means that psychiatric disability is one of the most common types of disability covered under the ADA.

      FEDERAL PROTECTIONS THAT VERIFY MENTAL ILLNESS AS A DISABILITY

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      The Americans With Disabilities Act is perhaps the cornerstone of all legal protections for those suffering from mental illness. Taking effect in 1990 and undergoing revision in 2009, the ADA provides sweeping protection that, “prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.”

      The Americans with Disabilities Act defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

      The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. When job applicants or employees have a mental health condition that meets this criteria, they have workplace rights under the ADA. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) broadened the definition of disability to provide legal protections against employment discrimination for more individuals with disabilities, including people with a psychiatric disability.

      The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, signed into federal law by President George W. Bush, requires doctors and insurers to treat mental illness the same as physical illness. This act led to sweeping reforms in how insurance companies treat mental illness and fund its treatment.

      The Social Security Administration also provides support for those disabled by a mental illness. Both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are available for those suffering from mental illness that prevents them from working at least 12 months. You must have previously worked and paid into Social Security for at least five out of the last ten years.

      The SSA lists qualifying mental disorders into 11 categories. There are specific medical and functional criteria that must be met, under the investigation of a qualified medical specialist, in order to qualify for disability benefits from the SSA.

      GRATITUDE LODGE CAN HELP WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

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      At Gratitude Lodge, with locations in Long Beach and Newport Beach, CA, we can help those suffering from mental illness or co-occurring disorders. About one quarter of all people with a substance addiction also suffer from mental illness. Some psychiatric disabilities make a person more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs.

      Are mental disorders considered disabilities? mental illness is a disabling condition according to the law and disability status can provide some benefits that help with living and treatment expenses. A team member at Gratitude Lodge can explain more and help you with qualifying for disability status.

      Gratitude Lodge offers compassionate treatment and sober living opportunities for those suffering from mental illness or co-occurring disorders. Contact us today for more information about how we can help. We can also help you understand your insurance coverage and find other ways to finance your treatment.

      Stay connected with Gratitude LodeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitterYelpYouTube and Gratitude Lodge Detox to Rehab.

      Mental Illness & Disabilities FAQs

      Yes, mental illnesses are often considered disabilities. Many countries have laws and regulations that recognize mental health conditions as disabilities, entitling individuals to certain rights and accommodations to ensure equal opportunities and access to resources.

      The specific mental illnesses considered disabilities may vary depending on the legal and regulatory frameworks of different countries or regions. However, conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and severe anxiety disorders are often recognized as disabilities in various jurisdictions, granting individuals certain rights and accommodations.

      A mental disability is a broad term that encompasses various conditions affecting a person’s cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning. It can include conditions such as intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, severe and persistent mental illnesses, and other psychological disorders that significantly impair an individual’s ability to carry out daily life activities.

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      Joe Gilmore

      Joseph Gilmore

      Joseph Gilmore has been working in the addiction industry for half a decade and has been writing about addiction and substance abuse treatment during that time. He has experience working for facilities all across the country. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.
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      Jenni Busse MS, LPCC

      Jenni Busse MS, LPSS is the Clinical Director at Gratitude Lodge. Jenni oversees the clinical program and the clinical team at Gratitude Lodge as a whole. Jenni has worked in treatment for almost 14 years. Her background as a licensed therapist and her passion for helping others intersected with addiction recovery when she started working primarily in detox residential treatment.

      Drug detox can vary according to the patient’s addiction factors, including the substance abused, how long the addiction has lasted, the patient’s medical condition, if any other disorders are present, and more. Our skilled and credentialed team at Gratitude Lodge work closely with every patient going through drug detox, facilitating the beginnings of a successful recovery at our rehab addiction centers in Orange County, CA.

      Drug detox can vary according to the patient’s addiction factors, including the substance abused, how long the addiction has lasted, the patient’s medical condition, if any other disorders are present, and more. Our skilled and credentialed team at Gratitude Lodge work closely with every patient going through drug detox.

      Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body. Alcohol detox at the luxurious rehab addiction centers at Gratitude Lodge leeches your body of these toxins in preparation for successful treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse. Alcohol detox may not take as long or produce severe withdrawal symptoms, but it is still an essential beginning to your recovery.

      Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body. Alcohol detox at the luxurious rehab addiction centers at Gratitude Lodge leeches your body of these toxins in preparation for successful treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse.
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      An essential part of your treatment experience, we offer individual (CBT and DBT talk therapy) and group addiction treatment counseling to help you explore and address the emotional component of addiction, providing you with the tools, self-awareness, and empowerment you need to maintain recovery.

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      Dual Diagnosis is a highly effective addiction treatment that addresses substance use and mental health disorders simultaneously. Often co-occurring, these disorders are best managed when treated together with specific and targeted therapy.
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      Medication-Assisted Treatment provides you with FDA-approved medications to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal while you’re in treatment. This makes the detox process easier and safer, as well as increasing the chances of a successful recovery.

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      Sober living provides a supportive and substance-free living environment for your ongoing recovery. We partner with a number of upscale and carefully vetted sober living homes that are available to our clients after inpatient alcohol and drug addiction treatment.
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