To be honest second round appeals [after the first appeal has been denied] usually have a much higher rate of approval.

However, if you drastically change your activity level- like adding regular classes- there will be a lot more to consider, and they will be looking at completely different factors.

Your doctors can back up that you were doing what they told you to do and whether that is pretty much the limit of what you are capable of right now or not.

Going to AA meetings doesn't really consistute an active social life and you would be hard pressed to find a decent mental health professional to support the idea that it does.

However, if you are attending classes, that is an entirely different issue.

if you feel the classes are so important as to risk any financial stability which may give you the breathing room to get you on your feet again- go for it.

They could actually help you to a great extent.

If you don't want to risk it, don't.

It is possible, that if the appeal judge catches wind of it- and DO NOT LIE if you are asked about attending school and you decide to- they will consider that proof that you can also support yourself financially.

[If anyone wants to have that argument with me, I'm game, but one does not actually equal the other by a long shot]

RE: symptoms.
Refer to your symptoms on your worst day and how your functioning is affected day to day.

not like "it makes me feel ilke a crummy person" but "I have difficult functioning because getting to the bank or the grocery store becomes such a process that at times I don't even make it there. It is too painful, etc."

Specific, detailed, not too emotional, but accurate in how it affects functioning.

If the classes for those with mental health problems don't bomb at the school they will likely be offered again. After you are approved, you can try taking one and see how it goes?