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Mental Disorders
The evaluation of disability on the basis of
mental disorders requires documentation of a medically determinable
impairment and consideration of the degree of limitation the
impairment imposes on one’s ability to work. These limitations must
have lasted or be expected to last for a continuous period of at
least 12 months. The evaluation of disability also requires
evaluation of the individual’s ability to engage in the activities
of daily living, to function socially, and to concentrate or focus
on the completion of tasks.
Diagnosis of the one of the following seven mental disorders can
result in a disability finding:
In addition, a diagnosis of any of the above
mental disorders requires at least two of the following:
- Marked restriction of activities of daily living.
- Marked difficulties in maintaining social
function.
- Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration,
persistence, or pace.
- Repeated episodes of temporary increases in
symptoms, each of extended duration.
In addition, the specific mental disorder must have
been of at least two years’ duration, must have caused more than a minimal
limitation of ability to do basic work activities, as documented by
medical records, and must have one of the following criteria:
- Repeated episodes of temporary increases in
symptoms, each of extended duration.
- A residual disease process that has resulted in
such marginal adjustment that even a minimal increase in mental demands
or change in the environment would be predicted to cause the individual
to suffer increased symptoms.
- Current history of one or more years' inability
to function outside a highly supportive living arrangement, with an
indication of continued need for such an arrangement.
Two other categories of mental disorder may also
result in a disability finding:
A diagnosis of a mental disorder that meets the
requirements of a disability finding is complex and requires evaluation
across a range of criteria, including the individual’s residual functional
capacity (RFC), a multidimensional description of the work-related
abilities of the individual in spite of medical impairments. More specific
information can be found at www.ssas.gov.
• Up • Affective disorders • Anxiety-related disorders. • Autistic disorders. • Mental retardation disorders. • Organic mental disorders. • Personality disorders. • Schizophrenic, paranoid and other psychotic disorders • Somatoform disorders. • Substance addiction disorders. •
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