In my Social Security disability law practice I am seeing an increasing number of case inquiries from men and women struggling with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This surge in inquiries is in addition to our case inquiries from potential clients who are dealing with more organic mental illnesses like schizophrenia or the after effects of traumatic brain injury.
Like many others, I suspect that the Covid pandemic is a trigger for increasing numbers of depression and anxiety related claims. Onsite work is stressful both because of concerns about becoming infected and because fewer workers are being asked to do more.
Remote work has changed the social dynamic of employment. More people work alone with only occasional electronic interaction with co-workers or customers. Rambunctious school aged children may or may not be home, depending on whether a school system had to close for a week or month.
Every day I speak to several very stressed out potential clients to tell me that they simply do not have the mental energy or capacity to remain in the workforce. Some have quit while others have been fired for excessive absences or lack of productivity. Continue reading →