Social Security & SSI Disability Benefits: Personality Disorder

Winning a Social Security Disability Case

Medical Evidence Is Critical In A Personality Disorder Case

A personality disorder is a psychiatric disorder and a fairly rare basis for a Social Security disability case. It is estimated that about 8-10% of people are affected by a personality disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), classifies personality disorders in one of three clusters and also as one of ten types with each type having its own specific traits.

The clusters and types are as follows:

1. Cluster A (odd, eccentric) -
1. Paranoid,
2. Schizoid, and
3. Schizotypal.
2. Cluster B (dramatic, erratic) -
1. Antisocial,
2. Borderline,
3. Histrionic, and
4. Narcissistic.
3. Cluster C (anxious, fearful) -
1. Avoidant,
2. Dependent, and
3. Obsessive-compulsive.

It is clear to Social Security that personality disorder symptoms vary depending on the specific type of the disorder, but common to all personality disorders is difficulty coping and handling everyday stresses and challenges, unusual thought patterns, inflexible behaviors, and difficult relationships with other people. The sufferer feels their thoughts are normal, and often blame others for their problems. These behaviors cause problems in the suffer's professional and personal life, and the effects on their ability to work can be significant.

When Social Security adjudicates your disability case, it will always need both a diagnosis of your personality disorder and ongoing mental health treatment. Both should include psychotherapy with a mental health specialist (not just a primary doctor). Medical treatment will produce medical records that will describe to Social Security the nature of your condition and the severity of your symptoms. It is important you document your case carefully so that Social Security does not miss something important. Medications have varied over the years, and usually, they have had minimal success in alleviating symptoms.

Social Security Personality Disorder Listing

For either the Adult Listing 12.08 or the Child Listing 112.08, you or your child, who must be over age 3, must satisfy points 1 and 2:

1. A prevalent pattern of at least one of -
1. Skepticism of people,
2. Avoiding others,
3. Disrespecting the concerns of other individuals,
4. Unstable relationships,
5. Significant emotions and a need to be noticed,
6. Insecurity,
7. Unreasonable need to be taken care of,
8. Significant focus on details or structure, or
9. Ongoing anger episodes; and
2. You must show you have either one extreme impediment or two marked impediments in taking care of -
1. Comprehending and utilizing data,
2. Societal dealings,
3. Meeting a schedule, and
4. Governing your life.

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