Listing code
112.08
Children (Part B)
Body system
112.00
Mental disorders (children)
Subsections
0
No lettered criteria
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Personality and impulse-control disorders (see 112.00B7 ), for children age 3 to attainment of age 18, satisfied by A and B: Medical documentation of a pervasive pattern of one or more of the following: Distrust and suspiciousness of others; Detachment from social relationships; Disregard for and violation of the rights of others; Instability of interpersonal relationships; Excessive emotionality and attention seeking; Feelings of inadequacy; Excessive need to be taken care of; Preoccupation with perfectionism and orderliness; or Recurrent, impulsive, aggressive behavioral outbursts. AND Extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning (see 112.00F ): Understand, remember, or apply information (see 112.00E1 ). Interact with others (see 112.00E2 ). Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace (see 112.00E3 ). Adapt or manage oneself (see 112.00E4 ).
This listing has no lettered subsections. The diagnosis itself, supported by the medical evidence described in the body-system overview, is what SSA evaluates.
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 112.08. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 112.08 usually fail
One pitfall is having some relationship or behavior difficulties, but missing the requirement that the medical documentation shows a pervasive pattern matching at least one of the listed personality or impulse-control features. Another pitfall is failing the functioning part, since the child must have extreme limitation of one mental functioning area, or marked limitation of two areas. A third pitfall is mixing up areas of mental functioning, since the listing specifically requires limits in among these four areas: understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; and adapt or manage oneself. A fourth pitfall is submitting evidence only about impairments in general without showing how limitations map onto those specific four mental functioning areas.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Medical documentation should describe the pervasive pattern with one or more of the specific symptoms listed, such as distrust/suspiciousness, detachment, disregard for others' rights, unstable interpersonal relationships, excessive emotionality and attention seeking, feelings of inadequacy, excessive need to be taken care of, preoccupation with perfectionism/orderliness, or recurrent impulsive aggressive outbursts. The record also needs evidence that the child has extreme limitation in one of the four areas of mental functioning, or marked limitation in two areas (understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; adapt or manage oneself).
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
This listing has a two-part structure for ages 3 to 18. Step 4 looks at whether the required pervasive pattern symptoms are present in the medical documentation. Step 5 then looks at whether mental functioning is limited enough, meaning extreme limitation in one area or marked limitation in two areas, across the four specified areas. Many claims miss because either the medical documentation does not describe the specific pattern symptoms in the required way, or because the functioning limits do not rise to the extreme/marked level in the required mental functioning areas.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
Work activity limits work the way SSA evaluates any claim. For children, approval depends on satisfying the listing criteria for ages 3 to attainment of age 18, including the pervasive pattern symptoms (for example recurrent impulsive aggressive behavioral outbursts) plus extreme limitation of one mental functioning area or marked limitation of two areas across understand/remember/apply information, interact with others, concentrate/persist/maintain pace, and adapt/manage oneself. If approved, continued eligibility follows the standard rules for children after approval, including review of ongoing functioning in subsequent periods.
Listing 112.08 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for personality and impulse-control disorders disability claims.