I am 50 and I have applied. I have worked my whole life until a year and a half ago. My depressions have gotten so much worse and long lasting that I just don't see how I can get a job or hold it.

I was initially denied which was not a surprise because they deny everyone on the first application. Social Security only requested records going one year back which is total bs because I have a twenty year history.

I got a lawyer and appealed. The lawyer does not charge unless you win your case. The appeal goes in front of an administrative law judge. It can take up to a year and a half to get a hearing. I hope and pray I win my case because I don't know what I will do otherwise. My depressions are lasting six months. I have only been hospitalized once in 1995. I am very tempted to get real suicidal and go to the hospital just to help my case. I don't know what my odds are but I get the feeling they do not view depression and anxiety as that serious an issue. Which is crazy because I have spent 75% of the year for the past two years in serious depressions. I lost my last two jobs because I was forcing myself to go to work while depressed and my performance was going down hill fast. It reached the point where I could not get out of bed and I got fired. I got another job and lasted two days and had a break down. Then a six month very severe suicidal all the time depression. In my mind I should qualify but who knows.