From Cathleen Henning Fenton,
Your Guide to Panic Disorder.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

Dateline: September 6, 2000

Women are less likely than men to have insurance coverage for disability-related illnesses or injuries, according to a survey by the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA). Women are more likely than men to lose income due to disability, and women are more likely than men to suffer from several of the anxiety disorders. Women who lose work as a result of an anxiety disorder may find themselves without financial protection. If you are in such a situation, there are options available to you.

Why Do Women Lack Coverage?

According to the HIAA survey, there are two main reasons why more women than men are lacking proper disability insurance coverage:

• Women are more likely to be employed by businesses that do not offer such coverage.

• Some women tend to think of their husbands as the main household provider and, therefore, do not think their income is as important to their families.

Unfortunately, the HIAA also reports that women are three times more likely than men to lose income as a result of disability.

Women, Anxiety Disorders and Disability

Both women and men may suffer from anxiety disorders, but women are more at risk than men of developing several of the anxiety disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias are twice as common in women as in men. Women have a greater risk than men of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, acccording to Glenn Craig Davis, MD, and Naomi Breslau, PhD (Psychiatric Times, 15:7, July 1998). Agoraphobia is two to four times more common in women as in men, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Thankfully, not every anxiety disorder will lead to disability and loss of employment. However, because more women than men suffer from various anxiety disorders and because women are more likely to lose work as a result of disability, it makes sense for women to have equal coverage opportunities. Agoraphobia alone may be a debilitating condition, particularly if the person becomes homebound. Other anxiety disorders may also interfere with a person's ability to function in the work place.

What Should You Do?

If you are a woman with an anxiety disorder, you should become aware of your options. If you are employed currently, you should look into your current coverage. You already may be covered or you may discover that you may add coverage for an additional fee. Unfortunately, if you do not have coverage already, there is a chance that you will have difficulty obtaining it. "Applicants with a history of psychological or psychiatric counseling, therapy or analysis, are likely candidates for rejection," states Ronald P. Perilstein, CLU, in the Physician's News Digest. It doesn't hurt to ask, however, so be sure to find out what may be available already to you.

If you are already out of work due to your disorder or if disability insurance is unavailable to you, be aware that you do have other options. These options include Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, private insurance, group union disability coverage, state vocational rehabilitation programs, Veterans Administration pension disability benefits, and civil service disability pay, for government workers.

References:
1) Davis, Glenn C., and Naomi Breslau. "Are Women at Greater Risk for PTSD Than Men?" Psychiatric Times 15.7 (Jul 1998).
2) Health Insurance Association of America. "Summary of Public Opinion Survey Regarding Disability Income Insurance."
3) National Institute of Mental Health. "Anxiety Disorders. (2006).
4) Perilstein, Ronald P. "Changes in disability insurance." Physician's News Digest (Oct 1996).
5) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Useful Information on Phobias and Panic. (1998).