SSDI is a federal program. Individual states do not get to make up their own rules about what kind of disabilities are considered. Any impairment that results in total disability that is expected to be permanent (or last more than 1 year) can qualify you. There is no requirement if the impairment is a mental disorder that you also have to have a disorder from another category to qualify.

If you do have more than one condition, the cummulative effects of both conditions may cause more disbility than either condition individually.

It is possible to be approved for 'just' bipolar disorder. It is up to the ssdi applicant and his/her medical records to prove that bipolar disorder in their case causes total disability. The fact that you have required several hospitalizations for bipolar disorder certainly helps your claim. Issues like if you were diagnosed awhile ago and worked since then, but can't work now complicate your claim. If you were in bad psychological shape when you were in the hospital, but your recent medical reports indicate you are stable and well functioning, you wouldn't be approved.

Jomar made an important distinction....it's all about how the condition effects your ability to work, not about what the diagnosis is. To illustrate the fact, some people are permanently disabled after having a stroke, but Tedi Bruschi returned to playing professional football after his. You've got to explain to SSA why your bipolar disorder makes you unable to perform SGE.

Best of luck at your hearing.