Bridging the Gap from Symptoms to Disability: Returning to Work from Psychiatric Illness

摘要

Psychiatric illness is a substantial and growing cause of disability and financial burden in the United States and around the world. Many clinicians experience difficulties in substantiating disability claims and understanding the different options of returning patients to the workforce. This article offers a simple algorithm for a clinical evaluation of psychiatric disability for mental health care providers who are not proficient in medico-legal examinations. It defines the challenges that clinicians face and discusses definitions and differentiation among symptoms, impairment, impairment in functioning, and disability. Examples of psychiatrically driven work restrictions and accommodations are provided. Finally, the article focuses on the importance of a timely return of patients to the workforce with appropriately defined restrictions/accommodations, aiming to help patients' recovery, improve their overall level of functioning, and prevent further disability.