Listing 12.15
Trauma- and stressor-related disorders
This listing covers PTSD and other trauma- and stressor-related disorders.
Read the full plain-language explanation
SSA requires medical documentation of all five trauma criteria — exposure, re-experiencing, avoidance, mood/behavior disturbance, and heightened arousal (paragraph A) — 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 12.15 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 ALL five of these: you were exposed to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence
- You involuntarily relive it (intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks)
- You avoid reminders of it
- Your mood and behavior are disturbed
- You are on edge (like an exaggerated startle response or sleep problems). All five are required — not just some.
Read the original wording
Your medical records must document ALL five of these: you were exposed to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence; you involuntarily relive it (intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks); you avoid reminders of it; your mood and behavior are disturbed; and you are on edge (like an exaggerated startle response or sleep problems). All five are required — not just some.
(Listing 12.15, 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 12.15, criterion B)
Alternative to B: at least 2 years of documented history of the disorder, ongoing treatment or structured support that keeps symptoms down, and proof that you still can barely handle changes or new demands.
(Listing 12.15, 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.