WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
When we think of workers’ comp, we often picture a physical injury, like a broken limb. However, emotional symptoms can result from workplace injuries as well. In California’s Worker’s Compensation system (the Division of Workers’ Compensation, or DWC), there are certain types of psychological injuries that are covered.
Psych Claims for Workers’ Compensation
Trauma & Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
The most obvious type of psychological harm that can happen at work is a traumatic event. For example, if someone survives violence in the workplace, that can cause great distress, which can evolve into posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, PTSD is not the only mental health problem that can happen on the job.
Depression
Depression involves intense feelings of sadness and can include several other symptoms, such as:
changes to appetite or sleep
getting stuck thinking about problems
feeling exhausted
feeling hopeless
even thinking about hurting yourself
The word “depression” is used incorrectly in pop culture all the time, and it does not mean a passing bad mood, sadness over something trivial, or disappointment. Depression can last for weeks or months and can make it difficult to do simple daily activities. Often times people feel like there is “no good reason” for them to feel down.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a mental health diagnosis that involves symptoms of extreme or constant worry, feeling on edge, muscle tension, feeling panicky, and other problems. People with anxiety often worry over seemingly “minor” things, or worry about possible bad things happening that are very unlikely to happen. Anxiety can get in the way of doing day-to-day activities and can prevent people from feeling able to enjoy their lives.
How do depression and anxiety relate to workers’ compensation?
Symptoms of depression and anxiety can develop from a few different experiences at work. For example, a worker may have a physical injury that causes chronic pain, problems with doing daily tasks and activities, or a major change to their lifestyle. The adjustment to pain and disability can be very challenging and can cause depressed mood, hopeless feelings, and anxiety about things like recovery or finances. Other times, things like a strained relationship with a co-worker or harassment by a manager can result in a low mood or stress that gets worse.
Since the worker has to face that relationship very often, other symptoms can develop, like feelings of hopelessness, crying spells, anxiety about going to work, extreme worry about criticism at work, and more. It’s not hard to see how this type of situation could turn into depression and anxiety over months or years of a stressful relationship at work.
Getting Workers’ Compensation for Depression and Anxiety
If you are experiencing depression or anxiety related to a work situation, you may want to consider filing a workers’ compensation claim. In California, and in many other states, psychological diagnoses that are caused by workplace problems are often covered by workers’ compensation.
This usually means that if a qualified medical evaluator (QME; in some states called an independent medical evaluator or IME) determines that you have a mental health diagnosis that was caused mostly or completely by your job, the workers’ comp system may pay for your psychotherapy or medication management with a psychiatrist, if these treatments are recommended to help you. It can be hard to recognize or tell others that you are depressed or anxious, but receiving treatment for your symptoms and resolving a workplace situation that is causing distress can get you back on track to feeling like yourself and doing your best work.
Get Evaluated for Workers’ Compensation for Depression and Anxiety in Los Angeles
Dr. Reger is a Los Angeles Qualified Medical Examiner who provides assessments for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress. You can receive your QME report for workers’ compensation for depression and anxiety at several locations throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. To start the process follow these steps:
Contact (424) 262-1925 to schedule your appointment
Meet with Dr. Reger for an evaluation
Move forward with your workers’ compensation case
Other mental health Services in Los Angles, CA
Dr. Reger offers psych and neuropsychological assessments for situations besides workers comp. She also provides evaluations for cognitive decline, dementia, med-legal capacity, and pre-surgical assessments. Additionally, she offers individual therapy and counseling for older adults.