IS IT TIME FOR A DIGITAL DETOX? School’s Out! What Can You Do?
When you need a break from your busy life, you probably look at your cellphone. And when you need a break from your cellphone, you might watch TV or browse social media on other devices. This cycle of never-ending screens can be taxing on your mental health. Everyone hits their breaking point at a different time, and you may not even realize when you’ve reached your limit. If you find yourself getting angry or upset at posted content, consistently comparing yourself to others, or feeling depressed, it may be time for a digital detox. But what is a digital detox? It’s taking a break from electronic devices, such as your cellphone or tablet, and mindlessly scrolling through social media or news stories.
Another benefit is that you’ll feel less stressed, especially if you compare yourself to others on social media or get lost in negative news cycles. Perhaps the most notable benefit of a digital detox is reclaiming your own time. Checking your cellphone and scrolling through social media can quickly become a subconscious habit. Before you know it, an hour or two has passed. Even watching television can take up huge chunks of your day.
Now that you know what it is, how can you detox yourself?
With a digital detox, you get that time back, and you can reallocate it to healthier activities. If you feel like you need a break from your electronic devices, take one. It could lead to a healthier and happier life.
• Schedule a break from your devices. Even if it’s just for a half-hour, use the time to do other activities, such as exercise, household chores, or even gardening. • Turn off notifications. Constant notifications can be incredibly distracting, so silencing them allows us to focus more on our surroundings.
• Disconnect before bedtime. Turn off all electronics an hour before you go to sleep to relax your body and mind.
Can You Receive SSDI for Mental Illness?
Mental illness is no less real or painful than a debilitating physical condition. While society has come a long way in recognizing how poor mental health can affect people’s lives, our institutions haven’t always followed. Mental illness is a qualifying condition for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), but the process can be an uphill battle. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes multiple mental health conditions that may qualify for benefits. They include depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and numerous other diagnoses. As long as a doctor has diagnosed the SSDI applicant, the SSA does not usually dispute the condition. The next step in the process, however, can prove much more difficult. The SSA will assess how much a diagnosis impairs three aspects of the claimant’s life: activities of daily living, social functioning, and the ability to maintain appropriate concentration, persistence, or pace. Each function is ranked mild, moderate, marked, or severe. The SSA must find a person has “marked” or higher impairment on 2 of the 3 criteria to approve SSDI payments.
Activities of daily living are things like cleaning, bathing, shopping, cooking, and paying bills. Social functioning refers to a person’s ability to interact with others effectively and appropriately without outside assistance. Someone whose condition causes fear of other people or aggressive behaviors may struggle with social functioning. Finally, appropriate concentration, persistence, or pace refers to the applicant’s work abilities and whether they have the focus and stamina to complete tasks. If the SSA does not find marked impairment in at least 2 of 3 areas of function, there may be an additional option. An applicant can also qualify based on decompensation, which refers to temporary increases in symptoms and reductions in functioning. For example, people hospitalized due to their mental illnesses often qualify for benefits under decompensation. SSDI applicants with mental illness who don’t meet the above criteria may still qualify based on their “residual mental functional capacity.” That’s one of many reasons it’s unwise to go through this process without expert counsel. People with mental impairments have unique challenges when applying for SSDI, and Di Bartolomeo Law Office is here to help. Contact us today for a case evaluation!
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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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