Mental health conditions account for approximately 30% of approved SSDI claims, making them a significant category of disabilities recognized by the Social Security Administration. In 2025, understanding how these conditions are evaluated is essential for applicants with psychiatric impairments.
The SSA evaluates mental disorders under Section 12.00 of their Blue Book listing of impairments. The major categories include:
- Neurocognitive disorders
- Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
- Depressive, bipolar, and related disorders
- Intellectual disorders
- Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Somatic symptom and related disorders
- Personality and impulse-control disorders
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Eating disorders
- Trauma and stressor-related disorders
To qualify, your condition must meet specific severity criteria and result in "marked" limitations in at least two of the following areas:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information
- Interacting with others
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace
- Adapting or managing oneself
Alternatively, you can qualify by showing your condition is "serious and persistent" with evidence of medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial support, or highly structured settings that diminish symptoms, plus minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your environment.
Documentation is particularly crucial for mental health claims. Essential evidence includes:
- Psychiatric evaluation records
- Treatment notes from psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists
- Hospitalization records for mental health crises
- Medication history and response
- Psychological testing results
- Statements from treating mental health professionals about functional limitations
Because mental health conditions often fluctuate in severity, it's important to document periods of exacerbation and how your condition affects you over time, not just on your "good days." Third-party statements from family, friends, or former employers can provide valuable context about how your condition affects your daily functioning and ability to maintain employment.
The SSA recognizes that many mental health conditions are invisible disabilities, making them more challenging to document than physical impairments. Working with mental health providers who understand SSDI requirements can significantly strengthen your claim.