According to Social Security Online, a disability occurs when a person is not able to do a “gainful” activity because of a physical and/or medical impairment. A person can be declared disabled due to the effects of psychological disorders or mental conditions. The disabling mental condition must have lasted, or must be expected to last, at least 12 months; must be medically determinable and documented; and must limit a person’s ability to work, rendering them incapable of engaging in gainful activity. Most often, mental impairments are diagnosed by a physician after completing an evaluation that examines an individual’s history, symptoms, signs and medical test results.

Organic Mental Disorders

Organic mental disorders are those caused by an abnormality or dysfunction of the brain. To qualify for Social Security benefits for this reason, a person must lack specific cognitive abilities and must demonstrate at least one of several additional conditions such as memory impairment, disorientation, loss of intellectual function, emotional instability, or disturbances in thinking causing hallucinations or delusions. The organic mental impairment must make social activities and regular daily living activities difficult. Alternatively, a person can get Social Security disability benefits if they have had the organic mental disorder for at least two years and find it difficult to work or live on their own as a result.

Schizophrenic, Paranoid and Other Psychotic Disorders

These disorders are considered “psychotic features” that diminish a person’s ability to function. To receive Social Security benefits for these disorders, a person must have erratic behavior or delusions, be emotionally withdrawn, or have thoughts that are not logical, resulting in an inability to carry out normal daily functions, socialize with others well, or concentrate. A person may also get Social Security disability benefits if they have had a psychotic disorder for at least two years and find it difficult to work or live on their own as a result.

Affective Disorders

An affective disorder is a condition in which a person experiences emotional disturbances such as major depression or bipolar disorder. To receive Social Security benefits for these conditions, there must be medical documentation of depressive, manic, or bipolar (combination of depression and mania) syndromes. A person may obtain Social Security disability benefits if they have had a chronic affective disorder for at least two years and find it difficult to work or live on their own for more than a year as a result.

Mental Retardation

A person with mental retardation has below-average intellectual functions that can make it hard for a person to adapt to new situations. The onset of mental retardation must begin before the age of 22. A person who qualifies for disability benefits must have a verbal, performance or full scale IQ of 59 or less and must depend on others to care for their personal needs. Alternatively, an individual may have an IQ of 60 to 70 and not be able to perform work-related functions, take care of their personal needs or socialize well with others.

Anxiety-Related Disorders

Anxiety-related disorders exist when an individual feels extreme nervousness and stress when they face certain situations. A person with such a disorder may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits if they are medically found to have persistent anxiety with irrational fears, panic attacks, obsessive or compulsive behaviors, or intrusive recollections of a traumatic experience. These symptoms must accompany the inability for a person to care for himself or socialize normally.

Somatoform Disorders

A somatoform disorder exists when a person experiences physical symptoms without any organic medical findings, meaning that symptoms exist but no medical condition can be found to account for those effects. To be eligible for disability benefits, a person must have this disorder and its symptoms before the age of 30 and have sought medical treatment. In addition, the somatoform disorder must make it difficult for a person to socialize normally or carry out the activities associated with daily life.

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are traits in an individual that are maladaptive, cause social impairments and inflect subjective distress. Personality disorders are characterized by such traits as persistent disturbance of mood, oddities of thought, or pathologically inappropriate hostility or suspiciousness. These disorders are chronic and the Social Security Administration will award disability benefits to those who have social and behavior patterns that seem out of control, have repeated episodes of “decompensation,” and have difficulties carrying out the normal functions of everyday life because of their personality disorder.

Substance Addiction Disorders

This type of disorder is defined by behavioral or physical changes as a result of regular use of a chemical substance that alters the central nervous system, such as alcohol or drugs. To be eligible for disability benefits, the addiction must cause organic mental disorders; depression, anxiety or personality disorders; neuropathy, liver damage, or other types of physical damage to the body; or seizures.

Autistic Disorder and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders

A person with autism or a developmental disorder has not matured socially in terms of “verbal and nonverbal communication skills.” An individual with such disorders may only have a few interests and may qualify for disability benefits if they are they are medically diagnosed with autism or another developmental disorder and are unable to live on their own or socialize well.