I am one of the ones who got SSD on the first try. Why? I think it was my history: a dozen hospitalizations, pdoc and psychologist who supported my application, a leave of absence from work followed by a return to work and another leave of absence, having ECT. Even though I have an advanced degree (Ph.D. in special education) I was found as not capable of working. It has been 3 years and I am still on disability and unable to work. Currently having ECT. Feeling as I do now, I doubt I could ever go back to being a professor. Too stressful.