Somatoform disorders are conditions where patients experience physical symptoms, but with no known physiological cause. For example, some people experience unexplained pain, loss of function in limbs, or loss of sight-in every case with no known physical cause. Medical professionals regard these as a kind of mental disorder, but their effects can be just as severe as any illness. If your somatoform disorder has persisted for years and interferes with your work, you may be eligible for disability.

Somatoform disorders can have a significant impact on a person's ability to work and carry out daily functions. However, in order to qualify for disability, a person experiencing a somatoform disorder must meet certain criteria. One of the main requirements is that your disorder must be medically documented. Even if there are no physical symptoms, a medical history is required.

One way to meet the medical requirements is to have documentation that you have experienced multiple physical symptoms for several years, beginning before age 30, which has had a substantial negative influence on your lifestyle. Alternatively, you can gather evidence of persistent problems with your senses (hearing, sight, etc), movement of limbs, or control of your movement. You can also qualify if you are often preoccupied with the idea that you have a serious disease.

No matter what your symptoms, it is very important that they have affected your ability to carry out your life normally. Restrictions on your ability to carry out daily activities count, as do difficulties with maintaining social functioning, and problems with maintaining concentration or pace at work and elsewhere.

If you meet those sets of criteria, your condition meets the requirements of the Social Security Administration to receive disability. Yet even if you meet the requirements, you must prove to the SSA that your case is severe enough. You will need to gather documentation from your doctor and other evidence of the impact of your condition on your life.

Although meeting the strict requirements of the SSA is difficult, an experienced Indiana social security lawyer can help you put together a strong case.

To discuss your case directly with a lawyer, call the compassionate Indianapolis social security lawyers of the Hankey Law Office today.