What year did the AMA classify depression as a disability?

Answer 1

It probably was not the AMA that classified depression as a major disorder but the APA (American Psychiatric Association). The first edition of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) was in 1952 and has been revised several times. In 1968 DSMII came out and still classified mental illnesses as belonging to two broad classes, Neurosis and Psychosis reflecting the influence of Sigmund Freud on the profession. Anxiety/depression disorders were were considered those broadly in touch with reality (a neurosis).

In 1987 DSMIII was published and changed from the classes of disorders as neurosis and psychosis into more narrow categories.

DSMIV came out in 1994 and had Major Depressive disorder as an axis I disorder.

It is probable that policymakers in government and Social Security classified depression as a disability sometime after DSMII came out. It would have to be so classified by lawmakers not doctors to become legal.

I'm sorry I can not give you a more specific answer as disability would have to be researched as a legal decision not as a medical opinion.