Who is qualified to make a MH disability diagnosis?

[I may have asked this previously, if so, sorry. Maybe if i hear it enough it'll sink in...]

My attorney has bailed on me and it looks like I must, either file a civil claim myself, or abandon my SSDI claim.

So, who is recognized, by SSDI judges, to be qualified to diagnose mental health disabilities?

I would think a qualified psychiatrist would be. I would ask the folks, though.

I'm pretty sure that it would have to be a psychiatrist who diagnoses the illness and that's what SSA takes into consideration. Also, if you have applied for SSDI/SSI, they should be sending you to a psychiatrist of their choosing to meet with you and discuss your illness. They will then make a report and send it to SSA.

You may find good help at your local NAMI office or by visiting their site here -

NAMI | Social Security and Disability Benefits

I hope this helps you!

I thought that they'd send me for evaluation too, esp when the ALJ said that the lack of an evaluation bothered him. He, and my attorney, never asked for one. My case was denied. My appeal was denied also. Thanks for the tip per NAMi. I am a member.
I don't have a lot of time to proceed though. I was devastated by the recent death of my long time [12 years duration] companion. May he rest in peace.

i don't know, can't tell from what's posted, if you have one more appeal or not. generally the second appeal requires a lawyer, in some states. in Colorado you only get one appeal, then you have to refile, and you loose your back-pay status.

i was advised to appeal on the grounds that "My Condition Has Worsened". and to provide additional medical reports stating in greater detail the impairments that kept me from being able to work.

i have found that in the real world, psychiatrists write better reports if you furnish them with better information. for example, i recently got my Dx changed to my satisfaction by taking in printouts of online tests i had taken, and a written statement of why i thought the old Dx was erroneous and the new Dx was correct. the Pdoc accepted the information gladly, and changed the Dx without further question.

if you need help with identifying "Functional Impairments", there are specialists who do that... usually affiliated with Brain Trauma Clinics or Programs. those of us with spontaneous or other types of Brain Dysfunctions are just left out in the cold. i have some training in this assessment and will guide you as well as i can, if you wish, in order for you to have something coherent to present to a pdoc.

best wishes~
Gus

My only option to continue is to file a civil action in Federal court. My atty declined to help, no great loss there though. My ALJ disregarded all of my MH therapists evauluations as he did not consider them qualified to make a diagnosis. The Voc Rehab psychiatric evaluation was also disregarded as 'he was merely working from documents vs from personal experience'. The ALJ said he was bothered by my lack of a psychiatric eval yet did not request one. My MH insurance doesn't cover the cost of a psych evaluation, that would have to come out of my empty pocket. I have PTSD and depression. I haven't worked at a steady job since 2008 when I was sexually harassed and assaulted by a co worker. My conditions were pre existing but have worsened since then. The ALJ is assuming that I am a malingerer. I am feeling quite hopeless about the situation. I just may give up on it. The Appeal Court agreed with the ALJ decision and would not accept any new documentation.

Never give up! That's what they count on. Every person that gives up is a person they don't have to pay.

I believe you have to be receiving care and must be seeing a doctor who will say you are unable to work. You fill out the forms (which I think you can do on-line now) and there are forms your doctor has to fill out. If you go further in the process, you are evaluated by the government's own MH Pro as well. Long unpleasant process and I was extremely fortunate to get on the first time. I know it is rare. Even after you get it, you are supposed to be reevaluated.

Good luck.

Hi Gus

I noticed that you said you are also in Colorado and seem to be knowledgeable about the SSDI/SSI application process. I read that you stated that there is only 1 appeal in Colorado. Can you explain that to me if you have the time? I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, and last July was diagnosed with OCD. I applied for SSDI on my own, without an attorney, on 01/2013, and my local Mental Health Clinic advised me to apply for SSI on 05/2013. I have only received the Functional and other reports back in 06/2013, filled out and returned them immediately and have not heard from the SSA yet. I have called the disability examiner assigned to my case and she said that my case is now in line to be reviewed by the doctor/s here in Colorado. I have been to 2 psychiatric hospitals for short stays and have been consistently going to therapy since January. I was in denial that I had any issues before January 2013, but my family made an intervention and made me go to the Mental Health Clinic in 01/2013 and I was hospitalized, started receiving therapy...Sorry to ask so many questions and for sharing so much information, can you give me any feedback?

Thanks,

Nick