paddym22: I have been on disability for several years and would dearly love to go back to work even on a part time basis, however now I have to explain many gaps and short lived jobs on my CV and that is a challenge.

Some reasons people have gaps in their work history: They were...

- staying at home to provide care to their children/grandchildren.
- staying at home to provide care to another family member (i.e., parent, your beloved great-aunt).
- writing a book.
- running a home-based business or otherwise self-employed.
- farming/gardening on a large scale
- ill themselves (an employer may be more sympathetic and less biased to the idea of cancer than mental illness).
- living in another country.
- on an extended religious/spiritual retreat.

I'm sure there are other ideas that people can come up with. Either way, I vote to not disclose to an employer unless you must. However it may be helpful to "invent" some alternate stigma-free illness to help explain occasional sick days, doctor's appointments and the need to leave work early.