Social Security Disability Hearing: What to Expect During Your Testimony If You Have Mental Symptoms

Copyright (c) 2013 Sharon A Christie

If your Social Security disability hearing is coming up you are probably wondering what you will be asked during your testimony. Here is a summary of what to expect during your testimony if you cannot work because of mental health issues.

At the hearing you will talk, in detail, about your symptoms. Just saying you have a particular symptom is not enough. Even though you may feel uncomfortable describing your symptoms, you must talk freely about them so the judge has a true picture of your disability. Do not hold back because you feel embarrassed. Your testimony could be the difference between being approved for benefits and not being approved.

If your symptoms involve an inability to tolerate stress, you want to talk about what sorts of things you find stressful. Be prepared to give examples. You will also be asked for detailed descriptions of what happens to you when you experience stress. Some common descriptions of what people experience when they feel stress include:

• panicky feelings • feelings of terror • a feeling of impending doom • fight or flight response • trembling • shaking • palpitations • chest pain • shortness of breath • feeling smothered • choking • feeling faint • feeling unsteady •sweating • nausea • stomach ache • numbness • tingling • hot flashes • chills • hallucinations • flashbacks • fear of dying • fear of going crazy • fear of doing something uncontrolled

At your hearing, your disability lawyer will ask you questions about work situations that cause you to feel stress. You should feel free to list all the situations that stress you out at work. Examples of things that people find stressful at work can include:

• tasks that require speed and/or precision • tasks that are complex • deadlines • working within a schedule • making decisions • exercising independent judgment • completing tasks • working with other people • dealing with the public (strangers) • dealing with supervisors • being criticized by supervisors • simply knowing that work is supervised • getting to work regularly • remaining at work for a full day • fear of failure at work.

Even though the Social Security Administration often takes the position that routine repetitive work constitutes low stress work, many people still find that sort of work stressful. Examples of this include:

• monotony of routine • little latitude for decision-making • lack of collaboration on the job • no opportunity for learning new things • underutilization of skills • lack of meaningfulness of work.

Your testimony is a crucial part of your disability case. You want to be well-prepared to present the best testimony you can. Your atorney should spend a good deal of time preparing you for the hearing, reviewing the types of questions that will be asked at the hearing and making sure that you feel comfortable with the process.

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