How to Answer “Have you noticed any unusual behavior or fears?” on SSA Form 3373 (Function Report)
A lot of people slow down when they reach this question on their function report for their SSDI claim. Not because the wording is complicated, but because the question can feel personal and hard to answer. After all, it asks you to share your fears!
On Form SSA-3373-BK (Function Report – Adult), Question 20(l) asks:
“Have you noticed any unusual behavior or fears?”
This is one of those short SSA questions that can bring up a lot at once. It is not only about whether something feels “unusual.” It is really about whether your medical conditions cause behaviors, fears, or reactions that affect how you function around other people, in public, with stress, with safety, or in work-like settings. SSA uses the Function Report as one piece of the overall disability picture, along with medical evidence and other records.
This guide will help you think through your answer in a clear, grounded way that matches the rest of your form.
⚖️ This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every claim is unique.
Quick Overview
Question 20(l) is asking whether you have behavior patterns or fears that stand out because of your medical or mental health condition and that affect daily functioning. That can include panic in crowds, paranoia, fear of leaving home, anger outbursts, compulsive behaviors, repeated checking, trauma-triggered reactions, or unusual social behavior. SSA does not look at this question in isolation. It compares your answer with treatment notes, diagnoses, symptom reports, and the rest of your Function Report when assessing mental functioning and RFC.
Why SSA Asks This Question
This is mostly a mental functioning question, although physical conditions can shape the answer too. Chronic pain, exhaustion, poor sleep, medication side effects, or neurological symptoms can all change how a person reacts to stress, other people, or unfamiliar situations.
From SSA’s point of view, this question can overlap with several areas of functioning:
Interacting with others
Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace
Adapting or managing oneself
In daily life, problems in this area might look like:
avoiding stores, waiting rooms, buses, or appointments because fear builds too quickly
becoming unusually suspicious, guarded, or panicked around other people
shutting down, crying, lashing out, or getting agitated when overwhelmed
repeating behaviors such as checking locks, pacing, skin picking, counting, or seeking repeated reassurance
needing another person with you because being alone in public or under stress does not feel safe
You may also see the term RFC, which means Residual Functional Capacity. In plain English, RFC is SSA’s way of describing what a person can still do in a work setting despite physical or mental limitations. If you want a fuller overview to help understand RFC, see our article What is RFC?
When symptoms in this area are significant, they may support work-related limits such as:
only simple, routine work
less contact with the public or coworkers
a job with fewer changes, fewer stressors, or more support adjusting to demands
Take a moment to think about this question less as a label and more as a pattern. SSA is usually trying to understand what happens, how often it happens, what triggers it, and what it keeps you from doing.
How to Think About Your Answer
Start with ordinary situations. That is usually where the clearest answer is hiding.
Think about places and moments like:
going into a store
riding in a car or public transportation
being home alone
sleeping at night
hearing a knock at the door
being around strangers
dealing with conflict, correction, or unexpected change
sitting in a waiting room
attending appointments
trying to do chores when anxiety, trauma symptoms, or racing thoughts build
Then ask yourself: What usually happens?
Do you freeze? Leave? Cry? Snap at people? Check things over and over? Avoid going out? Need someone with you? Get so frightened that you cannot finish the task? Feel convinced something bad is about to happen?
A helpful answer often includes:
a time anchor: “Since around March 2024…”
the pattern: “This happens several times a week…”
the trigger: “Mostly when I have to leave home or be around strangers…”
the result: “I cancel plans, need someone with me, or go back home…”
any help you need: reminders, supervision, reassurance, accompaniment
variability: what a better day looks like versus a bad day
A brief before-and-after comparison can also help. For example: before your condition worsened, maybe you could go to appointments alone, shop, or be around people without much thought. Now maybe that same task takes preparation, another person, medication, extra recovery time, or gets skipped altogether.
Try to describe the usual pattern, not the single worst day of your life and not the one unusually good day either. SSA’s symptom rules focus on how symptoms limit functioning over time and whether your statements line up with the rest of the record.
Conditions That Can Affect Unusual Behavior or Fears
Many different medical and mental health conditions can shape how someone answers this question. SSA evaluates impairments using the Adult Blue Book (Part A), and many of the conditions tied to unusual behavior or fears are discussed in the mental disorder listings and their functional criteria.
For this question, some of the most relevant Blue Book sections are often:
12.04 Depressive, bipolar and related disorders — can involve withdrawal, agitation, slowed behavior, mood swings, or fear that makes daily tasks harder
12.06 Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders — can involve panic, phobias, avoidance, compulsive checking, intrusive fears, or feeling unable to leave home
12.08 Personality and impulse-control disorders — can involve intense reactions, poor impulse control, suspiciousness, or behavior that creates conflict with other people
12.15 Trauma- and stressor-related disorders — can involve hypervigilance, startle reactions, avoidance, fear, and trauma-triggered behavior
Depending on the full picture, 12.03 Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders may also matter when paranoia, unusual beliefs, or unusual perceptions are involved. In some cases, 11.00 Neurological disorders may matter too, especially when confusion, dysregulation, or behavior changes are connected to a neurological condition.
If you want a quicker way to explore the listings, you can use our SSA Blue Book Quick Lookup Tool.
Common condition groups include:
Anxiety disorders — panic, phobias, avoidance, and strong fear responses
Trauma- and stressor-related disorders — hypervigilance, startle response, avoidance, and trauma-triggered reactions
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders — repeated checking, rituals, and intrusive fears
Psychotic disorders — suspiciousness, paranoia, or unusual perceptions or beliefs
Depressive and bipolar disorders — withdrawal, agitation, slowed behavior, or impulsive behavior during mood episodes
Neurological or cognitive disorders — confusion, disinhibition, misreading situations, or behavior changes
Substance-related disorders in remission or treatment history contexts — behavior instability may still show up in the overall record, depending on the history
You do not need to sound clinical here, and you do not need to diagnose yourself on the form. What usually helps most is linking three things together:
your diagnosis or condition,
the symptom you actually notice, and
how that symptom affects what you can do in daily life.
How Medications Can Affect This Functional Area
Sometimes the behavior or fear is not just from the condition itself. Medication side effects can matter too.
Common side effects that can make this area worse include:
sedation or heavy fatigue
brain fog or slowed thinking
dizziness or feeling detached
agitation or restlessness
sleep disruption
emotional blunting or poor stress tolerance
Medication types that sometimes come up in this area include:
antidepressants
anti-anxiety medications
antipsychotic medications
mood stabilizers
seizure medications
pain medications or muscle relaxers, especially when they increase fogginess or fatigue
A short, useful way to mention medication is to name the type and the effect. For example:
Example — edit to fit your experience:
“Since around July 2024, I have had more fear going out alone. My anxiety medication helps some, but it also makes me groggy in the morning. I still avoid crowded places and usually need my sister to go with me to appointments or shopping.”
That kind of wording keeps the focus where SSA usually needs it: function.
Examples and Variations (Mild, Moderate, Severe)
These are educational examples to help you think more about your patterns of experiencing fear or unusual behaviors. They are not meant to be copied word-for-word.
Mild pattern
Since around early 2024, I have noticed more fear in crowded places and when plans change suddenly. I can still go to appointments or stores, but I get nervous and sometimes need extra time to calm down first. About once or twice a week, I leave sooner than planned or avoid going somewhere if I am already overwhelmed.
Moderate pattern
Since around September 2023, I have had an unusual fear of strangers and get very anxious when I have to leave home alone. I often cancel errands, avoid stores at busy times, and need my spouse to go with me to appointments. When stressed, I may cry, shut down, or pace around the house for 20 to 30 minutes before I can refocus. This happens several times a week and affects my ability to keep plans and finish tasks.
Marked or severe pattern
Since around January 2024, I have had strong fears and unusual behavior most days. I check locks and windows repeatedly, sleep poorly because I think someone may come in, and I rarely go out alone. If I have to be around other people, I may panic, leave suddenly, or become so upset that I cannot finish the appointment or task. My family reminds me, reassures me, and often has to go with me because I do not handle these situations safely or consistently.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A vague answer here can leave too much guesswork.
Common problems include:
writing only “yes” without explaining what the behavior or fear is
using labels only, like “anxiety” or “PTSD,” without saying what actually happens
describing one dramatic incident but not the usual weekly pattern
focusing on who was at fault instead of how symptoms affected behavior
saying there are no problems here when other parts of the form describe panic, isolation, anger, avoidance, or repeated checking
forgetting to mention how often it happens, how long it lasts, and whether someone helps
leaving out medication side effects when they make fear, confusion, or behavior worse
Clear beats dramatic. Honest beats polished. Try to explain what happens, how often, and what it changes in your day.
How SSA Uses Your FUNCTION REPORT ANSWER TO SEE IF YOU CAN STILL WORK
SSA does not decide a case from Question 20(l) alone. It combines this answer with medical evidence, treatment history, third-party information, and the rest of the Function Report when assessing Residual Functional Capacity. The regulations say RFC considers a person’s ability to meet the physical, mental, sensory, and other requirements of work, and the mental side includes the nature and extent of mental limitations and restrictions.
For this question, the answer may inform issues like:
responding appropriately to ordinary work stress
staying around other people without escalating, withdrawing, or leaving
adapting to changes, correction, or unexpected events
maintaining pace after panic, intrusive thoughts, or behavioral flare-ups
working reliably without excessive reassurance, supervision, or time off task
Depending on the full record, examples of RFC-style limits that sometimes relate to this kind of evidence include:
simple, routine tasks only
only occasional interaction with supervisors, coworkers, or the public
few workplace changes or only gradual changes
no fast-paced production demands
a setting with reduced stressors or predictable expectations
This is one reason consistency matters. SSA’s symptom policy says adjudicators compare what a person says with the medical signs, laboratory findings, treatment history, and other evidence in the record.
When to Use the Remarks Section (Section E)
The Remarks section on Form 3373 can help when your answer does not fit neatly in one small line. Fortunately, question 20l on the function report has several lines you can use to answer the question.
People often use the Remarks Section (Section E) when:
good days and bad days are very different
the fear or behavior shows up only in certain settings
another person has to go with them, redirect them, or calm them down
there are safety issues, like leaving abruptly, wandering, repeated checking, falls during panic, or missing appointments
the behavior affects multiple questions on the form, such as stress, routine changes, getting along with others, or going out alone
A good remark is usually short and factual and supports or explains an answer.
Example — edit to fit your experience:
“Remarks for Question 20(l): My fear is much worse on bad days than my short answer shows. About twice a month, I leave appointments early or cancel because I start panicking in the waiting room. My daughter usually has to come with me when this happens.”
Expert Perspective: How Decision-Makers Look at This Answer
From an Examiner’s Point of View
DDS examiners usually look for patterns that connect the answer to diagnosed conditions, symptoms, and treatment notes. They compare this question with records about panic attacks, trauma symptoms, obsessive behaviors, paranoia, mood instability, sleep problems, medication changes, and whether the person avoids places or needs accompaniment. They also compare it to nearby questions on stress, routine changes, getting along with others, and going out.
A mismatch can draw attention. For example, an answer that says “no unusual fears” may look inconsistent if treatment notes repeatedly mention panic in public, agoraphobia, hypervigilance, or repeated checking. The reverse can matter too: a very extreme form answer with little or no support anywhere else may be questioned until the record is developed further.
From an Attorney or Advocate’s Point of View
An SSDI attorney or representative usually tries to show a clear functional story: what the symptom is, what triggers it, how often it happens, how long it lasts, what help is needed, and what real-world problems it causes. The strongest explanations are often concrete and calm. Instead of “I act weird,” a more useful description is something like, “Since around fall 2024, I panic in stores, leave suddenly, and need my brother with me for appointments twice a month.”
From an ALJ’s Point of View
Judges often compare the Function Report with hearing testimony, treatment records, and medical opinions. In mental-health cases, they commonly look for consistency across the four broad functional areas used in the adult mental listings: understanding and remembering, interacting with others, concentration and pace, and adapting or managing oneself.
They also tend to notice change over time. A person may have been able to go out alone two years ago and now rarely does. That kind of timeline can matter when it is explained clearly and supported by the overall record.
Key Takeaways
This question is really about whether fears or behavior changes affect your daily functioning.
Focus on your usual pattern, not just one extreme story.
Include frequency, triggers, duration, and whether someone helps you.
It is okay to describe differences between good days and bad days.
Brief examples from home, errands, appointments, or public places often make the answer clearer.
If one line is not enough, the Remarks section can add short factual context.
🔗 Related Questions
How to answer “How well do you handle stress?” on SSA Form 3373 (Question 20(j))
How to answer “How Well Do You Handle Changes in Routine?” on SSA Form 3373 (Question 20(k))
How to answer “How Well Do You Get Along with Authority Figures?” on SSA Form 3373 (Question 20(h))
How to answer “For how long can you pay attention?” on SSA Form 3373 (Question 20(d))
FAQ for “Unusual Behavior or Fears”
Q. What is SSA trying to learn from this question?
A. SSA is generally trying to understand whether your medical conditions cause behaviors or fears that affect daily functioning. This can relate to being around others, going out alone, handling stress, adapting to change, or staying on task. SSA compares your answer with the rest of your form and your medical evidence rather than reading it by itself.
Q. What counts as “unusual behavior or fears” on Form 3373?
A. There is no single required list for the form. People may describe panic in public, fear of leaving home, repeated checking, suspiciousness, trauma-triggered reactions, angry outbursts, pacing, shutting down, or strong avoidance. The key is not whether the symptom sounds dramatic. Consider whether it happens because of your condition and whether it affects your ability to function at work or at home.
Q. What if I do not know whether my behavior is “unusual”?
A. A practical way to think about it is this: do you react in ways that interfere with ordinary daily activities or make other people notice you are struggling? If so, it may help to describe the pattern plainly instead of worrying about the word “unusual.”
Q. What if the fear only happens in certain places?
A. You can explain your personal situation. Many people have symptoms that are much worse in crowds, around strangers, at night, while driving, during appointments, or when they are alone. Specific settings often make an answer more useful because they show the trigger and the consequence.
Q. Should I mention major incidents, like leaving a job or calling 911?
A. Some people do mention major events when those events clearly help explain how symptoms affected functioning. Usually, the most helpful approach is brief and factual: what happened, when it happened, and what symptoms were involved. The focus stays on function, not blame.
Q. What if I am better on some days?
A. It is fine to explain that symptoms vary. SSA evaluates functioning over time, so a balanced answer can describe both better days and bad days, as long as it shows the overall pattern. Variability is often an important part of the story.
Q. Do I need a mental health diagnosis to answer “yes”?
A. Not always. Some physical and neurological conditions, and even medication, can contribute to fear, confusion, behavior change, or unusual reactions. Pain, fatigue, sleep loss, medication side effects, or cognitive symptoms could be involved. You can think about whether there is a medically determinable impairment in the record that can reasonably relate to the symptoms being described.
Q. Should I mention medication side effects in this answer?
A. You can briefly mention them if they make this problem worse. For example, if medication causes fogginess, restlessness, dizziness, or daytime sedation that increases avoidance or odd behavior, that may be worth noting.
Q. What if this is not one of my biggest problems?
A. That is okay. Not every question on Form 3373 is equally important in every case. If this area is minor for you, you can still answer honestly and briefly while making sure the overall form stays consistent with the problems that matter most.
References
Social Security Administration. (2024, February). Function Report – Adult (Form SSA-3373-BK). Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-3373-bk.pdf
Social Security Administration. Listing of Impairments – Adult Listings (Part A). Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm
Social Security Administration. 12.00 Mental Disorders – Adult. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm
Social Security Administration. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545 — Your residual functional capacity. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-1545.htm
Social Security Administration. (2016). SSR 16-3p: Titles II and XVI: Evaluation of Symptoms in Disability Claims. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/01/SSR2016-03-di-01.html
Social Security Administration. POMS DI 25020.010 — Mental Limitations. Effective June 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0425020010
Social Security Administration. POMS DI 34001.032 — Mental Disorders. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0434001032
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or questions. Consult with a licensed attorney for legal advice.
AI Ethical Statement: This article includes information sourced from government and reputable health websites, reputable academic journals, non-profit organizations, and generated with help from AI. A human author has substantially edited, arranged, and reviewed all content, exercising creative control over the final output. People and machines make mistakes. Please contact us if you see a correction that needs to be made.
