Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition marked by extreme euphoria followed by bouts of debilitating depression, called cyclic mania. These mood fluctuations can make it difficult for individuals to maintain consistent work, manage daily activities, or navigate social interactions.
Because bipolar disorder presents constant symptoms, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are available for eligible individuals through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Whether you qualify for SSDI depends on how severely your bipolar disorder affects your ability to function and maintain employment.
Is Bipolar Disorder a Disability?
Bipolar disorder impacts more than mood swings; it also affects memory, focus, decision-making, and the ability to manage everyday responsibilities. The SSA reviews medical records and daily functioning to determine whether the symptoms and limitations are serious enough to meet its criteria for disability benefits.
To meet the SSA’s requirements, both specific symptoms and functional limitations must be documented.
You must have at least three of the following characteristic symptoms:
- Frenzied, unnaturally fast speech
- Flight of ideas and thought patterns
- Inflated self-esteem, usually with false beliefs
- Decreased need for sleep
- Distractibility
- Engagement in activities that have a high probability of painful consequences that are not recognized
- Increased goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation
Additionally, your condition must also exhibit either an extreme limitation of one or a marked limitation of two of the following abilities:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information
- Interacting with others
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace
- Adapting or managing oneself
There is a variant of bipolar disorder known as bipolar II disorder. People who suffer from this kind of bipolar disorder do not experience periods of mania or depression that are as extreme, so they may have more difficulty meeting the listings. However, they may be able to qualify under the listings for depression if their periods of depression are severe enough.
How Does the SSA Evaluate Bipolar Disorder Claims?
When reviewing a disability claim for bipolar disorder, the SSA doesn’t rely on a diagnosis alone. Because there is no single medical test that confirms bipolar disorder, the SSA places significant weight on consistent clinical observations, long-term treatment records, and clear evidence of how symptoms affect daily functioning. A strong claim shows not just what your symptoms are, but how often they occur, how severe they are, and how they interfere with your stability, routine, and work performance.
To make this determination, the SSA looks for detailed documentation from multiple sources, including:
- Psychiatric evaluations: These help establish your diagnosis, clarify the nature of your mood episodes, and show how your symptoms have progressed over time.
- Treatment records: Notes from psychiatrists, therapists, and psychologists provide a routine picture of mood fluctuations, medication responses, and functional limitations.
- Medication history: Records showing prescribed medications, dosage changes, and side effects help demonstrate the ongoing need for treatment and the challenges of managing symptoms.
- Hospitalizations or crisis interventions: ER visits, inpatient care, or partial hospitalization programs show the severity and instability of episodes.
- Work records: Attendance issues, reduced hours, performance declines, or disciplinary actions can reinforce the impact of symptoms on your ability to maintain employment.
What Happens If You Don’t Meet the Blue Book Listing?
Not everyone with bipolar disorder will meet the exact criteria of the Blue Book listing. Mood episodes vary widely in frequency, severity, and duration, and some people do not experience symptoms that fit neatly into the SSA’s diagnostic categories. However, you may still qualify for SSDI through a medical-vocational allowance.
A medical-vocational allowance allows the SSA to approve disability benefits based on the overall impact of your symptoms, even if you do not satisfy every requirement of the listing. In these cases, the SSA looks at:
- Residual functional capacity (RFC): What you can still do on a regular, sustained basis. For bipolar disorder, this often involves limitations in concentration, social interaction, reliability, ability to handle stress, or ability to maintain a normal work schedule.
- Age, education, and work experience: These factors help determine whether you can adjust to a different type of work.
- Frequency and unpredictability of episodes: Even if not “extreme” under the listing, recurrent manic or depressive episodes can prevent consistent employment.
- Side effects from medications: Fatigue, cognitive slowing, tremors, or emotional blunting can reduce your ability to perform tasks or stay focused.
Unfortunately, claims may still be denied due to issues that can often be avoided with thorough documentation. A lack of consistent mental health treatment, insufficient medical evidence, failing to follow treatment plans, attempting to maintain employment, or appearing more stable for short periods are common reasons the SSA denies claims for people with valid conditions.
How an Attorney Can Support Your Claim?
Applying for SSDI with bipolar disorder can be complicated, and many claims are initially denied. Working with Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys can help improve your chances of getting disability for bipolar disorder by ensuring your medical records, symptom documentation, and functional limitations are presented clearly and thoroughly. Our team also guides clients through appeals if a claim is denied, helping protect your rights and maximize your likelihood of approval.