Some disabilities are easily identifiable. Others may not be immediately apparent to the naked eye. People who have lost body parts to amputation, require assistive devices to move about, or who wear casts as broken bones heal display visible disability that is noticeable to others. An invisible disability, such as a traumatic brain injury, mood disorder, or painful condition such as fibromyalgia can be just as debilitating to a person, but be mostly or completely hidden to people around us.
While acute anxiety can manifest physical symptoms, many people attempting to manage anxiety disorders may not appear to others as having a condition requiring treatment or special arrangements in the workplace. Even worse, when an anxiety disorder prevents a person from working or otherwise enjoying life as they should, they may face skepticism among their families, friends, employers, co-workers, and even doctors. And, in some cases, when a person with an anxiety disorder requires long-term disability leave, insurance companies may push back against a medical condition that can not be verified with a simple blood test or physical exam.
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of anxiety that substantially affect your ability to function in day-to-day life, you may qualify for disability benefits or other compensation.
Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP has helped many people just like you navigate insurance claims and commence tort actions that can provide financial security as you manage your condition and recover from the debilitating symptoms of anxiety. At a time when you may feel scared or hopeless, the disability lawyers at HSH want to show you why Hope Starts Here.
What Are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions which cause a person to experience an abnormal sense of dread or fear. Like other mental illnesses, anxiety disorders result from a “complex interplay of genetic, biological, personality and environmental factors.”
Sometimes an episode of acute anxiety can be triggered by a specific phobia. In other cases, a person may experience a more generalized sense of anxiety or anxiety from a variety of social interactions.
While it is normal (and helpful) to have some anxiety in specific situations, medical professionals suggest that a person may have a disorder if their anxiety:
- Significantly impairs their ability to function
- Causes reactions that are out of proportion to the perceived threat or situation
- Causes uncontrollable reactions
Anxiety disorders are becoming much more common. Statistics Canada reports that the number of Canadians aged 15 years or older who reported symptoms consistent with this type of condition doubled from 2012-2022 (2.6% to 5.2%). Sadly, the growth of this and other mental health conditions have not been met with equivalent expansion of therapeutic services. In 2022, one in four respondents to a national survey revealed they sought out but could not access mental health support in the past year.
Types Of Anxiety Disorders
There are a wide variety of anxiety disorders, including:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder – A mostly continuous or omnipresent sense of persistent and excessive worry that interrupts normal day-to-day activities. Worries may include: school or work responsibilities, family or friend relationships, personal health, or even minor issues such as errands.
Social Anxiety Disorder – A severe discomfort with or phobia of social situations in which the sufferer may be rejected, embarrassed, humiliated, or looked down upon. Some of these social situations may include: fear of meeting new people, public speaking, job interviews, dating, answering questions in class, or eating or drinking in public.
Panic Disorder – Panic disorder is associated with recurring panic attacks. These are acute episodes of intense fear that result in physical and psychological distress.
Agoraphobia – A combination of social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. A person suffers from an unreasonable fear of being trapped in a situation from which they cannot escape, or where escape would be embarrassing, difficult, or where help managing a panic attack may not be available. People with agoraphobia tend to avoid these situations, require a companion person or comfort animal, and may even take extreme measures to limit their time in public spaces.
Separation Anxiety Disorder – Excess of fear of being away from or losing one or more people with whom the sufferer has established attachment.
Phobias – An intense, overwhelming and uncontrollable fear of a generally benign object, activity, or situation. People with specific phobias usually recognize their fear is irrational and excessive, but can not use rational thought to overcome it.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Each type of anxiety disorder may have a constellation of symptoms that vary based on the individual. However, some of the most common symptoms of anxiety include:
- feeling uneasy, irritable, panicked, nervous, or a sense of impending danger or doom
- sleep disturbances
- gastrointestinal disturbances
- restlessness or trembling
- an increased or rapid heart rate
- difficulty breathing (hyperventilating)
- cold and or sweaty hands of feet
- tingling sensations in your extremities
- obsessively thinking about a problem or situation
- difficulty focussing, concentrating, or making decisions
- feeling tired and/or weak
- intense fear or avoidance of people, objects, places, or situations
Diagnosis and Treatment
Symptoms of anxiety disorders can be overwhelming and debilitating, but there are a variety of treatments that may be effective in reducing a person’s anxiety to more manageable levels.
The first step is receiving a proper diagnosis. Consulting your family doctor, nurse practitioner or another general practitioner to discuss your symptoms will allow them to determine what type of anxiety you are experiencing and what interventions may help you. Often, counselling and talk therapy may be recommended on their own or in combination with anti-anxiety medications.
It can take time to see results from these treatments, and in some cases you may need to try a variety of therapies, medications, or particular doses of a medication before you and your medical practitioner discover what is most effective for you. Some anxiety disorders share symptoms with other conditions. Your doctor may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to confirm their initial diagnosis or for specialized treatment.
Benefits and Compensation
During the period when your symptoms are being diagnosed and treated, you may not be in a position to continue working or you may require a modified work schedule to meet your needs. Applying for disability benefits can help as an income replacement as you recover.
Short-term disability benefits usually begin within a few days of notifying your employer of your disabling illness or condition. Most insurance plans provide these benefits for 15 weeks to one year before you will be required to apply for long-term disability. Both types of benefits will require reports from your doctor(s) or medical practitioners, but qualifying for long-term disability will likely require you to be assessed by an insurer’s own doctor.
If your anxiety disorder first manifested due to the intentional or negligent actions or inaction of another person (for example, a motor vehicle accident, or an assault), you may also be able to seek compensation for damages such as lost income, medical expenses, or pain and suffering in a tort action against an at-fault party.
Our Team Can Help
Whether you were denied disability benefits or you are considering a lawsuit after a personal injury, it is essential to understand your legal rights and options. A knowledgeable, experienced, and skilled personal injury lawyer at Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP can offer trusted legal advice during a free, no obligation initial consultation.
With great empathy and attentive care, a member of our team will listen to your story, provide important information about your rights and options, and answer your questions. If we believe we can successfully secure a settlement or court award for you, we would be honoured to offer to become your tireless advocate and legal representative.
Renowned for our work in the personal injury field by our clients and peers alike, HSH has built a reputation among insurers for our legal acumen and our ability to build strong, court ready cases that encourage them to extend a fair settlement offer. But getting results for our clients is only one aspect of what we do. Our personable and professional team takes the time to get to know you and ensures that our work is always aligned with your needs and best interests.
If you or a loved one has an anxiety disorder, we understand that making a call to a lawyer can feel intimidating and unnerving. But taking that first step will help to begin a journey that can lead to a better and brighter future for you and your family. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
