Abstract
The Social Security Act provides disability benefits to those insured who are prevented from working by a severe medically determinable impairment. Under the Act, psychiatric impairment is assessed on the basis of demonstrable clinical manifestations including mental status examination and, where needed, by standardized psychological tests yielding quantifiable results. The total function of the person in daily living, both in the social and work spheres, is taken into consideration in the assessment process. Efforts at obtaining further progress in the classification of psychiatric concepts and arriving at greater objectivity in psychiatric decision-making are described.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
American Medical Association Committee on Rating of Mental and Physical Impairment: Mental illness: Guides to the evaluation of permanent impairment. JAMA, 198: 1284, 1966.
Glueck, B. C.; Meehl, P. E.; Schofield, W., and Clyde, D. J.: The quantitative assessment of personality. Compr. Psychiat., 5: 15–23, 1964.
Nussbaum, K.: Correlation of some psychiatric problems encountered at induction centers and in army hospitals.Psychiat. Quart., 18: 225–232, 1944.
Nussbaum, K.; Schneidmuhl, A. M., and Shaffer, J. W.: Psychiatric disability rating in transition. Compr. Psychiat., 10: 327–333, 1969.
—: Psychiatric assessment in the social security program of disability insurance. Am. J. Psychiat., 126: 897–899, 1969.
Nussbaum, K.; Shaffer, J. W., and Schneidmuhl, A. M.; Psychological assessment in the social security program of disability insurance. Am. Psychologist, 24: 869–872, 1969.
Overall, J. E., and Hollister, L. E.: Computer procedures for psychiatric classification. JAMA, 187: 583–588, 1964.
Pope, B.: Psychological tests as a diagnostic aid. In: Practice of Medicine, Vol. X, ch. 32, Sect. II, pp. 25–33. Harper & Row. Hargerstown, Maryland. 1969.
Shaffer, J. W.; Nussbaum, K., and Lewis, S. M.: Psychiatric assessment from documentary evidence. Compr. Psychiat., 12: 564–571, 1971.
Social Security Administration: Social Security Regulations: Rights and Benefits Based on Disability Regulations No. 4, Subpart P, sections 404.1501(a)(i); 1501 (c); 1506(b)(1) (2) (3), May 1969.
Social Security Administration: Social Security Regulations: No. 4 Subpart P, Appendix: Listing of Impairments, May 1969.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Dr. Nussbaum has been Chief Consultant in Psychiatry and Neurology in the Medical Consultant Staff, Bureau of Disability Insurance of the Social Security Administration, for the past 10 years.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nussbaum, K. Psychiatric disability determination under social security in the United States. Psych Quar 48, 65–73 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01574311
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01574311