1. Social Security Disability
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  3. What Medical Conditions Qualify For Social Security Disability?
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  5. Mental Disorders That Qualify For Social Security Disability

Mental Disorders That Qualify For Social Security Disability

To evaluate someone’s condition that is applying for Social Security Disability Benefits, the Social Security Administration follows the guidelines that are listed in the Bluebook. For mental disorder conditions, the bluebook covers this under section 12 and gives a detailed explanation of what is needed to prove this condition and how they review it. Section 12 consists of 10 categories which are:

  • Neurocognitive disorders – If someone wants to qualify for disability benefits due to neurocognitive disorders such as Autism, they need to provide medical documentation that shows a significant cognitive decline from the past level of functioning in the following areas:
    1. Complex Attention
    2. Executive Function
    3. Learning and memory
    4. Language
    5. Perceptual Motor
    6. Social cognition
    As well as showing extreme limitations of the following mental functioning:
    1. Memory
    2. Interaction with others
    3. Concentration
    4. Managing themselves
    OR if your mental disorder meets the criteria for this listing category if it is “severe and persistent;” that is, if you have a medically documented history of the disorder for at least two years and there is evidence of both: Medical treatment and marginal adjustment.
  • Psychotic Disorders ( including schizophrenia) – You’re qualified for disability benefits if your mental disorder meets the criteria for this listing category if it is “severe and persistent;” that is if you have a medically documented history of the disorder for at least two years and there is evidence of both: Medical treatment and marginal adjustment. If this isn’t the case for you, then you can provide medical documentation of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking or behavior, or extreme limitation of:
    1. Memory
    2. Interaction with others
    3. Concentration
    4. Managing themselves
  •  Depressive, bipolar, and related disorders – To qualify for Social Security benefits while suffering from a personality disorder, you must demonstrate that your condition impairs your ability to adjust to social or professional environments and has resulted in long-term problems. At least one of the following symptoms must be caused by the disorder:
  • Autistic thinking
  • Seclusion
  • Hostility that is not suitable
  • Suspicion in an inappropriate manner
  • Unusual patterns of thought, speech, action, or perception
  • Aggressiveness
  • Dependence
  • Passiveness
  • Constant mood swings
  • Impulsive, destructive behavior, particularly in relationships

 

  • Intellectual disorder – To qualify for disability benefits due to Intellectual disorder, you must provide medical documentation of significantly below average general intellectual functioning, significant deficits in adaptive functioning currently manifested by extreme limitations of the following extreme limitations listed in the above conditions, current intellectual and adaptive functioning, and information about the history of your disorder that demonstrates or supports the conclusion that the disorder began.
  • Anxiety/Obsessive-compulsive disorders – To be eligible for Social Security disability benefits if you have an anxiety condition, medical proof must establish at least one of the following:1. Persistent anxiety accompanied by the requisite signs (i.e., motor tension, apprehensive expectation, etc.)
    2. Perpetual unreasonable fear
    3. At least weekly, recurring, unpredictable panic attacks
    4. Compulsions and obsessions that recur, causing substantial discomfort
    Additionally, the proof must demonstrate that these issues impair your potential to function normally in professional and social situations.
  • Somatic symptom – If you want to qualify for disability due to somatic symptoms and related disorders, the SSA requires medical documentation of one or more of the following: altered voluntary motor or sensory function symptoms, distressing symptoms, and preoccupation with having a severe illness without severe symptoms present. If this isn’t the case for you, then you can provide medical documentation of extreme limitation of:
    1. Memory
    2. Interaction with others
    3. Concentration
    4. Managing themselves
  •  Personality Disorder – To qualify for Social Security benefits while suffering from a personality disorder, you must demonstrate that your condition impairs your ability to adjust to social or professional environments and has resulted in long-term problems.

At least one of the following symptoms must be caused by the disorder:

  • Others’ suspicion and distrust;
  • Absence of interest in social relationships;
  • Ignorance to and abuse of others’ rights;
  • Interpersonal interactions are insecure;
  • Excessive emotionality and a desire for attention;
  • Inadequacy feelings;
  • Excessive need to be addressed;
  • Obsession with perfection and order; or
  • Behavioral outbursts are frequent, impulsive, and aggressive.
  • Autism spectrum disorder – To qualify for disability payments if you have autism or a comparable pervasive developmental disorder, you must demonstrate that the illness impairs your ability to communicate, engage in activities other than a few narrowly defined interests, and interact socially. Additionally, you must demonstrate that these restrictions significantly impair your capacity to operate in professional and social circumstances.
  • Mental Retardation –  If you (or someone you represent) have medical proof indicating any of the following conditions, you may be eligible for disability benefits based on mental retardation: Dependence on others for personal requirements such as bathing, feeding, dressing, and toileting.
    IQ lower than 60
    An IQ of less than 70 in conjunction with other (mental or physical) disorders that impair your capacity to perform in a professional setting, social circumstances, or daily living activities.
  • Eating Disorders – Medical record of a persistent change in eating or eating-related behavior that leads to a change in food consumption or absorption and damages physical or psychological health signs or extreme limitation:

1. Memory
2. Social interaction
3. Focusing
4. Self-management

Additional conditions that meet the criteria for mental disorders evaluation:

  • ADHD is an acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
  • Aspects of Asperger’s Syndrome
  • Bipolar Illness
  • Depression Due to Chronic Insomnia
  • Addiction to Drugs
  • Dysthymia
  • Consumption Disorders
  • Hallucinations
  • Disabilities of the Mind
  • Memory Impairment
  • Disorder of the Mood
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Attacks of Panic
  • Depression Following Childbirth
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Schizophrenia
  • Anxiety about social situations