Count me in as another person who got approved on the first try (I'm in the US as well) and didn't wait long. I didn't even have to see their psychiatrist, just a medical doctor who checked me over to see what I could do physically (which isn't much). I guess my own pdoc's documentation and hospital notes were sufficient for the SSA. I'm sure it also helped that I am over 55 and no one wants to hire people in my age bracket.

I think if you are totally disabled you will get payments. Wishing you the best of luck.