Hello everyone. I was diagnosed bipolar 1 in 1997. I have had many depressed episodes and equally as many manic episodes. I have had 45 jobs during my 47 years of life. I am also a veteran and the veterans hospital is where i receive my medications and psych therapy. I now have a new psychiatrist and he has only seen me in depression not in a manic episode. I have applied for disability (ssdi) and for the past 18 months have been working with alsup to try and get benefits. denied twice. just went to a hearing 2 weeks ago but no response as of yet. I went to hearing by myseld because my alsup rep informed me that he could not win the case because of what my pdoc put in his report. I am extremely frustrated because I have sufferred horribly over the past decade and I know others that are receiving benefits with a lesser diagnoses but they have better support with their pdocs. (regular healthcare not va hospital) I mentor in Nami groups and am involved with many advocacy groups here in richmond va. Could someone give me some advice? I need help. I am tired of the fight!