Listing 12.06
Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
This listing covers generalized anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Read the full plain-language explanation
SSA looks for medical documentation of the specific symptom pattern for anxiety, panic/agoraphobia, or OCD, 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.
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What Listing 12.06 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 one of three patterns:
- Anxiety with at least three symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep problems
- Panic attacks with ongoing worry about more attacks, or strong fear of at least two situations like crowds or leaving home
- OCD with time-consuming intrusive thoughts or repetitive anxiety-reducing behaviors. Only one of the three paths is needed.
Read the original wording
Your medical records must document one of three patterns: (1) anxiety with at least three symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep problems; (2) panic attacks with ongoing worry about more attacks, or strong fear of at least two situations like crowds or leaving home; or (3) OCD with time-consuming intrusive thoughts or repetitive anxiety-reducing behaviors. Only one of the three paths is needed.
(Listing 12.06, 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 12.06, 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 12.06, 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.