The Administration uses a list of recognized mental disorders to determine whether an applicant may qualify for benefits, including:
- Organic Mental Disorders — Brain dysfunction characterized by symptoms such as disorientation, memory impairment and emotional instability
- Schizophrenic, paranoid and other psychotic disorders — Medically documented instances of hallucinations, delusions, incoherence or emotional isolation
- Affective Disorders — Mood disorders such as manic-depressive (also known as bipolar) syndrome
- Mental Retardation — A significant deficiency in intellectual function
- Anxiety-Related Disorders — Persistent irrational fears, panic attacks, etc.
- Personality Disorders — Deeply ingrained, long-term maladaptive behavior
- Substance Addiction Disorder
- Autism and other developmental disorders
Proving the existence and severity of these conditions can be difficult, but a knowledgeable Social Security Disability attorney can help you present a convincing case.