Published: March 12, 2025

Is Major Depressive Disorder a Disability?

Depression is often called a ‘silent killer’. You may never notice it in your loved ones but it can manifest suddenly in the most disastrous way. That’s why today, medical society pays great attention to depression as the #1 cause of disability worldwide [1]. According to WHO, depression maintains the leading position among mental health issues that cause disability. Annually, these mental health issues cost the global society over $1 trillion in lost productivity.

Yet, even if we throw away economic impacts, disability for major depressive disorder is the thing we cannot neglect because it brings endless suffering to patients diagnosed with it. Let’s learn more about depression, its symptoms, treatment methods, and social security benefits a patient can get if being disabled because of it.

What Is Depression and Major Depressive Disorder?

Everyone may feel upset and experience a bad mood from time to time. You, probably, even use the term ‘depressed’ for such issues. Yet, depression is quite more complex than feeling upset.

Today, major depressive disorder is included on the DSM-5 list of depressive disorders along with persistent depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and unspecified depressive disorders [2]. Its complex etiology involves multiple factors including genetics, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Previously, scientists considered MDD to be induced by neurotransmitter dysfunctions but today, more complex neuroregulatory systems are recognized to be involved in MDD development.

The main symptoms that may show major depressive disorder manifestation are as follows:

thinking, concentration, and memory issues;
depressed mood;
anhedonia and loss of interest in life;
constant apathy;
feeling guilty and worthless;
low appetite;
sleep issues like insomnia or constant feeling sleepy;
frustration;
inability to do anything;
suicidal or self-harm thoughts.

These symptoms in MDD and other depressive disorders are long-lasting, and they do not relate to medication management or comorbid diagnoses. When you experience them for at least 2 weeks, it’s a bad signal which requires an individual to apply for professional help.

Does Major Depressive Disorder Qualify for Disability?

Depression as-is is ruining you inside. That’s why for many people with diagnosed depression or MDD it is fully impossible to maintain normal activity levels and provide productive work. Moreover, such people often consider even everyday routines to be unbearable. That’s why depression and disability are correlated and this is a two-way process:

On one hand, progression in MDD leads to loss of productivity and interest in active life.
On another hand, multiple disabilities can cause depression. For example, physical impairments, long-lasting pain, and chronic diseases that impact lifestyle are great triggers for MDD.

As a result, depression and disability form a vicious circle which should be interrupted by timely and qualified medical help.

Does the ADA Consider Depression a Disability?

The ADA considers depression and major depressive disorder a disability. In today’s society, over 5% of adults are prone to depression, and on average, a person with diagnosed depression is unable to work for 27.5 days annually [3]. As depression considerably reduces a person’s ability to function, ADA considers it a disability.

Can You Get Social Security Disability Benefits If You Have Depression?

The Social Security Administration provides supportive programs for US citizens with disabilities. Depression is also on the list. According to the SSA qualification [4], depression is recognized as a disability by paragraph 12.04 of the SSA Blue Book with the qualifying requirement for patients to satisfy the rules of A and B or A and C chapters.

For SSA qualification of disability due to depression, you need to comply with the following requirements.

For A chapter, it should meet at least 5 criteria for MDD diagnostics from the following list:

Depressed mood;
Low interest in all types of activities;
Appetite issues and weight changes;
Sleep issues;
Psychomotor agitation or retardation;
Low energy;
Difficulties in concentration and thinking;
Suicidal thoughts.

This checklist is filled in by a primary care provider or mental health specialist in the form of medical documentation.

For B chapter, extreme limitation in any of the following activities or several marked limitations are required:

Cognitive functions and thinking;
Social interaction;
Concentration;
Self-management or adaptation.

For the C chapter, the medical history with indicated MDD diagnosis lasting for more than 2 years in serious and persistent form is required.

So, to apply for major depressive disorder disability benefits in the SSA, you have to meet either a combo of A and B requirements or a combo of A and C. All these requirements should be provided with medical evaluations, documentation, and evidence.

Do You Qualify for SSDI or SSI for Depression?

Typically, major depressive disorder social security disability support programs are provided in two types:

SSDI is a program providing compensation and support to adults with disabilities under 65 years old. If your MDD is severe and lasts for more than 2 years, you can fill in your claim. One more requirement is that you should have been working for at least 2 years prior to your application and that you have paid social security fees regularly.
SSI is a supporting program for seniors with disabilities and low income. To qualify for it, you have to be older than 65, have MDD diagnosed, and your monthly income should be lower than $2,000 per single person or $3,000 per couple.

Conclusion

Depression in all its varieties is a ruining condition that can make you fully helpless and vulnerable. Yet, it is not the end, until you can get support. Remember that you are not alone. You can get remedy from specialists by applying to URP Behavioral Health center where multiple effective MDD treatment programs are available. You should not be afraid of being financially devastated too. If you lose your ability to work due to depression, the SSA will support you by providing benefits under SSDI/SSI programs.

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