Even though you live with your pain every day, the Social Security technician or the disability examiner doesn’t know what you are going through, and they won’t know, unless you can tell them. You may feel like yelling,
You don’t know what I go through every day!
And you would be right. No one really knows what it is like to be in another person’s skin. But, when you are applying for Social Security benefits, you have to do your best to communicate the quality of your pain.
Here are some areas to describe:
Nature of the Pain: What is the pain like? Is it sharp? Dull? Aching? Shooting? Throbbing? Electric? Burning? Is it a constant ache that turns into spams as it gets worse?
Location: Where is the pain located? In your neck? Temple? Shoulder? Low back? Wrists? Is it in your buttocks with shooting pains down your legs and into your toes? Social Security won’t know if you can’t describe it.
Frequency & Duration: Is it painful all the time or just some of the time? How long does the pain last? Do you feel better in the morning, and then get worse over the course of the day? Or, does it start bad in the morning and keep getting worse until you go to bed?
Triggers: Some pain happens no matter what an individual does. Other pains can be related to certain causes. Do you have an electric pain that doubles you over, but goes away when you lie down? Does the pain only happen when you walk a block or climb stairs? Does it get worse if you stand for more than ten minutes.
Effects of Pain: Does the pain affect how much you can lift or carry? How long you can sit, stand or walk? Does the pain affect your ability to read a book, or follow a tv show?
Effect of Medications: Do your medicines help? How? Do the pills (or shots, or other treatment) relieve all of the pain or just some of the pain? What do the medications help with? What do the medications not relieve? For example, do the medications help your muscles relax and stop spasming, but have no impact on the continual dull ache? Do the medications last until the next dose or is the pain back up before you can take another dose?
If you think that you could write a page or two describing your pain, your on the right track! Whether you are getting ready to apply or preparing for your hearing, being able to discuss your pain is an important part of building your case.
