Do you suffer from an "invisible disability"?

A claim for short-term disability or long-term disability benefits can involve psychological or physical injuries or illnesses. A person can apply for disability claims for chronic pain, conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, traumatic brain injury and have a difficult time getting his or her application approved or receiving benefits past the change of definition date as a result of his or her condition being “invisible”. In long-term disability claims, insurance company’s definition of total disability changes from any occupation to own occupation after a certain period of time, usually after 2 years. Conditions such as the ones listed above may be thought of as “invisible” illnesses because their symptoms are not visible on diagnostic imaging, blood tests and cannot be “seen”. If a person is unable to work as a result of a mental illness or chronic pain disorder, it is important to be under the care of a physician and to be attending treatment regularly, essentially showing that he or she is willing to participate in recovery. By attending regular doctors’ appointments, an insured person can document symptoms, the severity of the illness, restrictions and limitations and how it affects his or her ability to work.