Listing 12.04
Depressive, bipolar and related disorders
This listing covers major depression, bipolar disorder, and related mood disorders.
Read the full plain-language explanation
SSA looks for medical documentation of a required number of depressive or bipolar symptoms, plus either serious limits in daily mental functioning (paragraph B) or a serious, persistent 2-year condition controlled only by ongoing treatment or support (paragraph C). You must satisfy A and B, or A and C.
Upload your medical records
PDFs or photos (JPG, PNG) — up to 15 files, 20 MB each.
What Listing 12.04 asks for
What SSA looks for — see the 3 items
We will check your records against each of these. Every item comes straight from SSA's own listing.
- Your medical records must document either depression with at least five listed symptoms (like depressed mood, sleep problems, low energy, guilt, trouble concentrating, or thoughts of death), or bipolar disorder with at least three listed symptoms (like pressured speech, racing ideas, little need for sleep, or risky activity).
- Only one of the two paths (1 or 2) is needed.
Read the original wording
Your medical records must document either depression with at least five listed symptoms (like depressed mood, sleep problems, low energy, guilt, trouble concentrating, or thoughts of death), or bipolar disorder with at least three listed symptoms (like pressured speech, racing ideas, little need for sleep, or risky activity). Only one of the two paths (1 or 2) is needed.
(Listing 12.04, criterion A)
- Your condition must cause an 'extreme' limit in one, or a 'marked' (serious) limit in two, of these areas: understanding and using information, getting along with others, staying focused and keeping pace, or managing yourself.
- You need B or C, not both.
Read the original wording
Your condition must cause an 'extreme' limit in one, or a 'marked' (serious) limit in two, of these areas: understanding and using information, getting along with others, staying focused and keeping pace, or managing yourself. You need B or C, not both.
(Listing 12.04, criterion B)
Alternative to B: at least 2 years of documented history of the disorder, ongoing treatment or structured support that reduces symptoms, and proof that you still can barely handle changes or new demands.
(Listing 12.04, criterion C)
How long it must last:
- Paragraph C requires a medically documented history of the disorder over at least 2 years.
- Otherwise, the general rule applies: the impairment must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 continuous months.
Read the original wording
Paragraph C requires a medically documented history of the disorder over at least 2 years. Otherwise, the general rule applies: the impairment must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 continuous months.