(If this shows up twice, I'm sorry! I can't get the hang of posting here.)

Vickie, you summed that up really well. I'd like to add a bit tho. I was turned down the first time, but I hear that's normal. Like you, I got a whopping check because it had been a while since I had first applied. After being turned down, I just couldn't cope with dealing with all the b.s. and I hired a lawyer. I hated to 'cause I had done all the work (the mountain of forms, etc.). But he did help. He told me to keep a thorough diary on a daily basis of my mood swings, thoughts, etc., which I put in my computer to present to the judge when we went for the hearing. He also had (and this is the critical part) an occupational therapist present who explained to the judge that I was able to do many, many types of jobs, but the nature of BPD always ended me either quitting from depression, getting mad and quitting from (correct word?) dysphoria/mania/anger, or being fired because of all the mood swings. There was more he said, but that's the gist of it.

Anyway, I was approved this time. After 5 years I was able to return to work on a VERY small parttime, low-stress basis. The government leaves me alone. I take my meds (I wasn't dx'd until 48 y.o., so most of my life I basically winged it, very badly), but I am still going to be BPD the rest of my life, and it will always impact on my working. For those of you overwhelmed by all you have to do to apply, hang in there! Fight for your rights! Also, go to the section of the social security administration web site and follow the links to the mental illness area that thoroughly describes the criteria for mental illness and what is considered a disability for BPD--PsychCentral won't let me post a web site until I've posted 10 or more, or I would post it here--sorry!). GOOD LUCK!