What you have to prove
Medical documentation of at least one required pattern (distrust, detachment, disregard for others, unstable relationships, excessive emotionality, feelings of inadequacy, excessive need to be cared for, preoccupation with orderliness/perfectionism, or recurrent impulsive aggression), AND Paragraph B functional limitations.
Medical evidence SSA expects
Long-term treatment records, diagnostic testing (MMPI-2, PAI), therapy notes, and documentation of functional impact across multiple settings.
Common misconceptions
Personality disorders alone rarely result in approval — SSA is cautious about them because symptoms can be self-reported. Cases are strongest when combined with other mental-health diagnoses.
Didn't meet the listing? You can still qualify via a Medical-Vocational
Allowance — SSA's determination that your residual functional capacity, combined with
your age, education, and work history, leaves no jobs you can do. See our
appeals guide for what to do after an initial denial.