Whether you are planning to file a claim for Social Security disability benefits, or already have filed and been denied, keeping a diary is an great way to improve your chances of success.
In your diary you can record your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – you can use a wall or pocket calendar, a notepad, or a computer spreadsheet.
You can record pain, headaches, and sleep problems. You can also record medications and doctor visits. Each entry doesn’t need to be very long – just long enough to describe what you are experiencing.
At your disability hearing, such a diary will help you give stronger testimony. You will be able to give a detailed account of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life and thus increase your chances of winning your claim.