Oh I'm totally with you on the aspect of people not trusting you because you a mental illness and you work with children - I just got failed on my last teaching placement because I was stupid enough to tell them about it! I've actually never worked harder in my life and honestly don't think I did anything wrong (this has been confirmed by other colleagues etc)... I was just unfortunate enough to have an ignorant and unsupportive mentor/tutor combination.

I think one thing I've learned in the past few years is to be weary of terminating treatment when you feel well. I'm on another waiting list to see an NHS Psychologist for CBT (anxiety) and they won't confirm my bipolar diagnosis or do anything about it until I turn up at A&E in a manic episode. Which is highly unlikely as I'm bipolar 2 or cyclothymic at best, so hypomania is my creative muse and I write good music in those times.

If you can go back to work when your depression has lifted, then I do envy you. Yes, it'll be here forever, and yes you'll have to deal with the ups and downs, but being in an environment where you are supported or don't have to tell them the whole story then that is a great thing. I'd just be happy to be here, be alive, be functioning, because so many people in our condition aren't as lucky as that.

So, I wish you all the best. Keep doing what you're doing, because it's obviously working! But I would look into some long-term treatment plan that you can drop in and out of as you need it ,if there is such a thing!! because having the help when you need it, or see that you will soon need it, is a big big help!!