Anxiety and Depression and Long-Term Disability Benefits in Canada

Living with anxiety or depression can be challenging, affecting various aspects of daily life and work. When these mental health conditions become severe and disabling, long-term disability (LTD) benefits can offer essential financial support.

Understanding Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety disorders involve excessive worry, fear, or apprehension about everyday situations, leading to significant distress and impairment. On the other hand, depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed. Both conditions can impact mood, cognition, behavior, and overall quality of life.

Statistics Canada says that around 5% of adults in Canada have a generalized anxiety disorder, with nearly 8% of adults saying they’ve had a major depressive episode over the past year.

Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety can manifest through various physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Here are the main symptoms associated with anxiety:

Excessive Worry:

Persistent and uncontrollable worry or apprehension about everyday events, activities, or situations, even when there is little or no real threat.

Restlessness:

Feeling restless, on edge, or keyed up, often accompanied by physical symptoms like fidgeting, pacing, or being unable to sit still.

Fatigue:

Feeling easily fatigued or tired, even without engaging in physically or mentally demanding activities, due to heightened anxiety levels.

Muscle Tension:

Experience of muscle tension, tightness, or stiffness, especially in the neck, shoulders, back, or jaw, as a physical manifestation of anxiety.

Irritability:

Being easily irritable, agitated, or quick to anger, often in response to minor stressors or triggers, due to heightened emotional arousal.

Sleep Disturbances:

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, irritability, and cognitive difficulties during the day.

Difficulty Concentrating:

Trouble focusing, concentrating, or staying present in tasks or conversations due to racing thoughts, preoccupation with worries, or distractibility.

Mind Racing:

Experiencing a constant stream of racing or intrusive thoughts, concerns, or worst-case scenarios, leading to heightened anxiety and difficulty in calming the mind.

Physical Symptoms:

Physical manifestations of anxiety can include increased heart rate (palpitations), sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, chest tightness or discomfort, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, stomach discomfort, and headaches.

Avoidance Behaviors:

Avoiding situations, activities, or places that trigger anxiety or fear, leading to social isolation, decreased participation in enjoyable activities, and impact on daily functioning.

Panic Attacks:

Intense periods of sudden and overwhelming fear or discomfort, accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest pain, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, dizziness, numbness or tingling sensations, feelings of unreality or detachment, and fear of losing control or dying.

It’s important to note that individuals with anxiety may experience a combination of these symptoms to varying degrees. Chronic or severe anxiety can significantly impact daily life, work performance, relationships, and overall well-being.

Depression Symptoms:

Symptoms of depression can vary widely among individuals and may fluctuate in intensity over time. Here are some common symptoms of depression that could affect someone’s ability to work:

Persistent Sadness:

Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the day, nearly every day. This persistent low mood can make it challenging to find joy or interest in work tasks and responsibilities.

Loss of Interest or Pleasure:

Experiencing a significant decrease or loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable, including work-related tasks or social interactions.

Fatigue and Low Energy:

Feeling chronically fatigued, physically drained, or lacking energy, even after adequate rest or sleep. This fatigue can make it difficult to concentrate, focus, or maintain productivity at work.

Sleep Disturbances:

Changes in sleep patterns such as insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping). Sleep disruptions can lead to daytime drowsiness, irritability, and cognitive difficulties affecting work performance.

Appetite or Weight Changes:

Significant changes in appetite, resulting in weight loss or gain without intentional dieting or changes in food intake. These changes can impact energy levels, mood stability, and overall well-being at work.

Difficulty Concentrating:

Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering details, often described as “brain fog” or cognitive sluggishness. This difficulty concentrating can hinder work tasks that require sustained attention or critical thinking.

Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt:

Persistent feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, guilt over past actions or perceived failures, and negative self-talk. These feelings can undermine self-confidence and motivation in the workplace.

Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation:

Agitation, restlessness, or slowed movements and speech. Psychomotor changes can affect work pace, coordination, and communication with colleagues or clients.

Irritability or Aggression:

Feeling easily irritable, frustrated, or agitated, even over minor issues. This mood volatility can lead to interpersonal conflicts at work and impact professional relationships.

Physical Symptoms:

Experiencing unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, body aches, digestive problems, or chronic pain without clear medical causes. These physical symptoms can contribute to absenteeism or reduced productivity at work.

Social Withdrawal:

Withdrawing from social interactions, avoiding colleagues or social events, or feeling socially disconnected. Social withdrawal can limit collaboration, communication, and teamwork in the workplace.

Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors:

Having thoughts of death, suicide ideation, or engaging in self-harming behaviors. These severe symptoms require immediate professional intervention and support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a suicidal crisis, you can call 9-8-8 across Canada.

Anxiety, Depression and Long-Term Disability Benefits in Canada

When anxiety or depression reaches a level of severity that significantly impairs an individual’s ability to work and perform essential job duties, they may be eligible for LTD benefits. These benefits provide financial assistance to individuals unable to work due to disabling anxiety or depression symptoms, allowing them to focus on treatment and recovery.

Most LTD insurance policies in Canada cover disabilities resulting from mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. Coverage eligibility depends on policy terms, medical documentation, severity of symptoms, functional limitations, and impact on work performance. Reviewing policy details or consulting with a long-term disability lawyer can clarify coverage options.

To support an anxiety or depression-related disability claim, comprehensive medical documentation is crucial. This may include psychiatric evaluations, treatment history, therapy notes, medication records, functional assessments, and statements from healthcare providers detailing how anxiety symptoms impair work-related activities.

Can My Disability Benefits Be Denied?

Insurance companies may deny disability benefits for anxiety or depression-related conditions due to various reasons such as insufficient medical evidence, policy exclusions, or administrative errors. If benefits are denied, individuals have the right to appeal the decision and provide additional supportive evidence to strengthen their case.

What To Do If My LTD Benefits Have Been Denied?

If your LTD benefits for anxiety or depression-related disabilities are denied:

Review Denial Letter:

Carefully review the denial letter to understand the reasons for denial, appeal deadlines, and required documentation.

Gather Additional Evidence:

Collect additional medical records, specialist opinions, functional assessments, and any new evidence supporting the severity and impact of your anxiety or depression on work capacity.

Submit Comprehensive Appeal:

Prepare a detailed appeal with supporting documentation addressing the reasons for denial, medical evidence, functional limitations, and accommodations needed.

Legal Assistance:

Consider seeking legal representation from a disability lawyer experienced in handling LTD denials related to anxiety and depression. A lawyer can navigate the appeals process, strengthen your case, and advocate for your rights and benefits.

Book a Free Consultation With Our Long-Term Disability Lawyers

Navigating LTD claims for anxiety or depression can be complex, especially when facing denials or challenges from insurance companies. Our long-term disability lawyers have experience in advancing long-term disability mental health claims understand the legal nuances, protect individuals’ rights, advocate for fair treatment, and help secure the disability benefits needed for financial stability during challenging times of mental health disability. Contact our law firm for your free consultation today.