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Cyclothymic disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder that causes individuals to experience mood swings, sometimes in a relatively short period. This condition can lead to many work-related difficulties, such as insomnia and difficulty concentrating. If an individual’s cyclothymic disorder interferes with their ability to earn a living, they may qualify for Social Security Disability.

However, winning disability benefits is never a simple process. The Social Security Administration (SSA) scrutinizes all applications and supporting documents, often rejecting perfectly valid claims in the process.

You will need a dedicated law firm that can help you make the strongest possible argument for the benefits you need. That firm is Pond Lehocky Disability.

Symptoms of Cyclothymic Disorder

Applying for disability benefits to cover cyclothymic disorder starts with understanding the most common symptoms of this condition. The defining characteristic of cyclothymic disorder is mood swings, alternating between lows (mild depression) and highs (hypomania).

Mild Depression

By “mild,” this means that the symptoms fall short of the more serious version known as clinical depression. Depressive episodes that are symptomatic of cyclothymic disorder are indicated by:

Feelings of hopelessness
Loss of interest in activities that the patient previously enjoyed
Feelings of low self-esteem or self-worth, guilt, and isolation
Eating more or less food than usual
Insomnia or difficulty staying awake
Severe fatigue or loss of energy
Difficulty concentrating

Hypomania

Hypomania is the other end of the mood swings, and some of its symptoms are:

Unusual amounts of energy
Decreased need for or desire to sleep
Racing thoughts
Rapid speech
Being easily distracted
A more intense focus on academic, personal, and other goals
Risky and impulsive behaviors such as sporadic sexual encounters, irresponsible financial decisions, and spending sprees
Abnormally high self-esteem

How Cyclothymic Disorder Interferes with Your Ability to Work

The above symptoms can make it difficult for an individual to productively earn a living. This largely stems from the dramatic changes in the patient’s mood, activity levels, and energy. Adjusting to a life with cyclothymic disorder is often challenging, perhaps even impossible. The patient’s work life typically suffers in these ways:

Productivity: Inability to fully concentrate or being easily distracted can make it difficult to engage in productive work. An individual may not meet their production quotas and begin to fall behind on their assignments.
Absenteeism: Insomnia and being prone to making irresponsible decisions may cause a person to start to miss work. With hypomania, the patient could develop an unhealthy fixation on certain personal goals at the expense of their job.
Decreased focus: Difficulty with concentration can affect the quality of one’s work performance. Although the individual may technically be completing their assignments, they may be doing so poorly.
Increased work conflicts: Sudden mood changes, as well as irritability resulting from less sleep and trouble concentrating, may cause a person to have interpersonal conflicts with their co-workers. This can lead to disciplinary actions, including job loss.

Does Cyclothymic Disorder Qualify as a Disability?

Cyclothymic disorder does qualify as a disability because the SSA considers bipolar disorder to be a disabling condition. The primary question that must be asked in making this determination is whether the condition prevents the individual from working. A related issue that can be raised is whether the patient’s cyclothymic disorder makes self-care impossible.

The cyclothymic disorder patient should be prepared to demonstrate the following to the SSA:

They have a mild bipolar disorder, as evidenced by the symptoms of mild depression and/or hypomania.
The condition limits the patient’s mental functioning, insofar as it negatively affects the person’s ability to remember, understand, or apply information; to interact with others; to concentrate; and to adapt to changes and manage oneself.
The disorder is long-term, meaning that the patient has continued to receive treatment for the condition for at least two years but has been unable to adapt to it.

Workplace Accommodations for Those with Cyclothymic Disorder

The Americans with Disability Act and other anti-discrimination laws generally require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who suffer from conditions like cyclothymic disorder. These accommodations may include:

Reduction or elimination of workplace distractions
Private, enclosed work spaces
Allowing the worker to do their job away from loud noises like copy machines
The increased use of natural lighting
Allowing the employee to use music to drown out distractions
The use of equipment, software, and technology to make job performance easier
Eliminating non-essential job duties or restructuring the job
Allowing employees to take more time to complete their tasks
Telecommuting or remote work
Job assistance and training for new responsibilities
More flexible and supportive supervision of the employee

Medical Evidence Needed for a Successful Cyclothymic Disorder Claim

To qualify for disability, the cyclothymic disorder patient must produce compelling medical evidence that amply documents the details of their condition, how it interferes with their ability to work, and the treatments that they have received.

More specifically, the SSA wants to know how the condition affects the patient’s daily activities, their ability to focus and be productive, and their interpersonal relationships with work colleagues. But the SSA wants to see that the patient has continuously obtained treatment to try to mitigate the effects of cyclothymic disorder.

Ultimately, it must be clear that the condition gets in the way of earning a living and taking care of oneself. The medical evidence, including documentation and reports from treating physicians, will be key in this analysis.

A Lawyer Can Help You File an SSD Claim for Cyclothymic Disorder

If you suffer from cyclothymic disorder to the point that it affects your work life, then it is time to speak with an experienced Social Security Disability benefits attorney. Your lawyer will assist you by:

Explaining the SSA’s criteria for disability benefits
Reviewing the details of your condition
Better understanding how your disorder affects your ability to work and take care of yourself
Obtaining medical records and other evidence demonstrating your condition and its impact on your work life
Submitting the appropriate Social Security Disability forms and evidence

Appealing a Denied SSD Claim for Cyclothymic Disorder

It is important to understand that the majority of initial disability applications are rejected, even if the applicant is ultimately determined to have met the SSA’s strict disability criteria. In the event the SSA denies your claim, Pond Lehocky Disability is ready to help you appeal the adverse decision. There are several steps in the appeal process:

Reconsideration: After the SSA rejects the application, the applicant has 60 days to request a reconsideration, by which someone who was not involved in the initial decision will review all documentation originally submitted, along with any new evidence.
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing: If the reconsideration is denied, the applicant then has 60 days to request a hearing before an ALJ. Your attorney can guide you through this hearing and present your case to the judge.
Appeals Council review: Next, the applicant will need to request a higher-level review before the Social Security Appeals Council. This may include consideration of new evidence.
Federal court review: The last step is to take your appeal outside of the Social Security system and into the federal courts. This requires filing a lawsuit against the SSA and explaining to the judge why the SSA violated federal law by denying your disability claim.

Talk to a Lawyer About Filing or Appealing an SSD Claim for Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic disorder can be severely debilitating and impose serious financial hardships on those patients who are unable to work. But the legal team at Pond Lehocky Disability is here to assist you. From submitting your initial disability application to appealing your claim denial, both inside and outside of the Social Security Administration, we have you covered.

With a combined 250 years of experience and a proven track record of success, our attorneys are ready to seek the maximum amount of disability benefits that you need. To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with our team, call 1-800-568-7500 or fill out our contact form today.