Mental illnesses such as severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and bipolar disorder can disable a person as completely as any physical condition. However, the SSA denies them more frequently because they are harder to document.
What Mental Conditions Does the SSA Recognize?
The SSA evaluates mental disorders under its "Listing of Impairments" (Listing 12.00). Categories include: depressive disorders, anxiety and related disorders, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and PTSD. To qualify, your condition must be severe and significantly limit your ability to function at work.
The Documentation Problem
The SSA requires objective and continuous evidence: records from a treating psychiatrist or psychologist documenting specific symptoms, hospitalizations or crises, prescribed medications with notes on effectiveness, and functional assessments. A diagnosis alone is not enough, the SSA needs to see how your condition affects your functional domains.
The "B" Criteria and "C" Criteria
For most mental health listings, the SSA applies the "B Criteria": you must show extreme limitation in one, or marked limitation in two, of these areas: (1) understanding/applying information, (2) interacting with others, (3) concentration/persistence/pace, and (4) adapting/managing oneself.
Why You Need an Attorney for Mental Health Cases
Mental disability cases are the most frequently denied, and the most frequently won on appeal when the applicant has representation. An attorney knows how to get a functional assessment from your treating physician, coordinate documentation from multiple providers, and present your case in a way the SSA takes seriously. Contact us today for a free evaluation.