What do your doctors think? Are you seeing someone for the depression issues? It basically boils down to what your doctors think of your condition. Will it improve? And can you do any type of work based on your skills and education level.

According to my physicatrist he said as the pain worsens the depression deepens and he just raised my med and tryed new nerve pills. I go see him in one month, but he basically told me if this didn't help he didn't think anything esle would.

There are so many meds I do not think he should give up. I have been on anti-depressant pills for over 3 years now and we keep trying different combos. It is frustrating as I have taken so many different ones I can't remember them all. Same with anti anxiety pills(nerve). Mine has gotten so bad that they are now considering ECT or shock therapy to try and help me out.

Shock therapy they still do that? Be careful.

Hey mel,
On this thread there are 5 guidelines the SSA uses to determine your disability. It explains what you need to qualify. You need to prove you cannot do any SGA- Substantial Gainful Activity and other significant steps.

I've been getting denied consistently for over six-years, thats including a hearing with an ALJ and a denial at the appeals council.(attorney then dropped me as a client)
Just had my second visit with an ALJ with a second attorney, and after the fact he explained the extremely low odds of my winning anywhere but in federal court!
Good luck, but my heart tells me you're in for a long, long journey with absolutely no assurances of success at the end of it!

I feel for you Christian, I am an advocate for people trying to get Social Security Disability. Even though people may not fit SSA guidelines some people really cannot get up daily and function at an everyday job, no matter how simple the job may be. I'm trying to start an government run organization that people could work from home and earn credits to pay their bills, it is still in the works but I hope to have a business proposal set up by the end of summer.

I just found this act that some of you may find interesting: It's called The No Fear Act.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/eeo/nofear/index.htm

I've just recently applied for disability myself, after being fired or near fired from several jobs over the last few years.. Finding that no one wants to work with me and that work has become near impossible with the memory loss and concentration blocks I have after brain surgery due to a tumor and seizure disorder.
What I'm wondering is if it's really worth it? Doesn't sound like a lot of people actually get approved. I've got all these people (including employers) telling me I should be on disability, but it seems like when you really need it you can't get it, right?
I'm hearing stories about being disqualified because you may still be able to do work you used to do (like 10 years ago or more?) How is that considered acceptable when the work you did eons ago was minimum wage with no benefits and not at all comparable to the work you've been doing recently or within the last few years? You can't earn a living on that.. Not that disability pays much, but do you see my point?

Each case is considered individually. You can appeal on line, if you get denied. Give it a chance. It sounds to me you have a very serious illness. It's going to take some time. When appealing include all your doctors, hospitals, tests, surgery's and medications, You want to prove you can't walk, stand or sit for long periods of time. Have proof about your memory problem. That is very important. Prove that even getting dressed for work is a task. Whatever you say have proof by a doctor or a test to back it up. Try to get letters from your employers saying why you were dismissed or why they didn't feel you should be working. Good luck let me know if you have any questions.