I recently lost my job and am looking to other resources that might help. I was on FMLA when they terminated my position AND... my disability had been approved with the disability insurance that I had paid into for the past eight years. Now without that additional income... I feel like I'm a failure. That the financial struggles that my husband and children have to deal with is my fault . Although we have had our ups and downs when we were previously financially distraught... I feel like it's my job to try and go out and get a different job. Even though I know that I can't handle the stress right now and the change over of meds. I am not even ro the point of being stable. At times I can't even crawl out of bed. Or wake up to get my kids on the bus. I could count how many times the kids missed the bus on my fingers and toes put together in the last month!

At least you know where to start with getting the resources that you have available for your disability. My husband has suggested that I apply for Short Term SSI... but I don't want to be rejected again. That can bring me down quicker that snot runs out of my nose when I cry for hours.

I keep telling myself that it can only get better. Our love as a family and for each other was always better when we didn't have a "pot to pee in." Besides I have learned from experience money does not make you happy just because you are able to keep up with the Jones'! (No offense intended to the Jones') There are a lot of people out their struggling worse than us... that have really put themselves out on a limb because they were living with huge shoes to fill. Be happy that we appreciate the little opportunities that are given to us. And remember, the grace of god shall provide. (Not that I'm a religious person). But there are several chapters in Psalm's that you can find comforting during our times of struggle.

Good luck... keep your chin up! And... remember we have been dealt a crappy hand of cards to start with, and we can handle it! There are a lot of positives to being Bipolar and other comparable diagnosis, such as... we have very creative minds and are talented in whatever we want to do with our lives. I read many postings of individuals who are going back to school and finishing out further education. Can you imagine what a great Therapist we would be with our personal experiences. The absolute best in the history of path... the experience that a individual has truly lived during their own lifespan.