I think you should try for it, and the sooner the better. They have 6 months to reply after you complete your application. At least that was the wait when I applied in August of last year.

They denied me in March, but I've already appealed. My doctors think I'll get it, and if your doctor(s) write you a good letter, it's likely you'll get it by the second or third appeal. They usually deny the first one just to see if you're serious or if you'll give up. Which is sad because people in our condition are often easily discouraged and don't have the energy to keep on fighting. The ones who may need it most are often turned away. So, you have to be stubborn about it.

I've left jobs too in the past due to burn out. I can only work full time for a few months before I'm emotionally spent and risk a serious episode. That's part of my case. I can work part time for longer, but even those usually don't last. I'm not irresponsible. I always come to work on time and call in sick maybe once or twice a year. It's just the disease makes it so your energy is too sapped to go for more than a day or two of work per week. At least in my case. I spend all my strength on my one day a week of work.

One of the requirements for disability is that you can't make more than $980 per month. I make about $650. You certainly fall into the required range.

Being disabled doesn't mean you can't brush your teeth and never leave your house or can't care for a pet or family member. It can be the case, but not necessarily. It may mean you have no social life (outside the internet) or your meds that keep you out of the hospital make you too drowsy and dizzy to hold down a job or concentrate for long periods of time. Like grizmom posted, check out that website on the 4 areas of functioning they look at. I have elements in each. All you need is two out of four.

It can't hurt to try, but it's a massive amount of info you have to provide and they have to collect (such as every doctor you've seen in the last year for your condition and your work history for the past 10 years and all the medications you're on and who prescribed them), so prepare yourself.

Best of luck in your battle. We're all here for you.