The language in each Listing was revised but without change in the level of severity
required. In both the functional psychotic and non-psychotic disorders, the emphasis
is placed on the functional end-results of a severe disorder, e.g., restrictions of
activities and interests, impairment of ability to relate to other people, etc. The
two categories are differentiated by diagnostic signs and findings.
Personality disorders have been included in the criteria for non-psychotic disorders,
even though, by themselves, they will rarely meet the criteria for severity. However,
some cases may have been denied in the past despite the presence of findings indicative
of a severe impairment, because the “label” of personality disorder was attached.
*The title of this Listing has been changed from “Psychiatric” to “Mental Disorders.” Similar changes have been made in the body of the Listing. Certain material of an
instructional nature has been removed from the introductory portion of the Listing.
Some of the documentation criteria in 12.00D have been refined for specificity.
*Listing 12.02, Chronic Brain Syndromes, has been restructured to be more consistent
with the remainder of the Mental Disorder listing. Listing 12.04A no longer includes
the phrase “continued preoccupation with somatic complaints” which was redundant to the remaining portion of the criteria. Deleted in Listing
12.05A, Mental Deficiency, is the reference to “without close supervision” as it related to avoidance of physical danger. This phrase was meaningless in explaining
the degree of severity required.