IR & LM, you are right. BD does target the strong and no one can know what's going on inside of us. Just because we can bathe and leave our homes every once in a while, maybe work or go to school very part time, doesn't mean that our brain isn't constantly fighting us with negative thoughts, depression, flashbacks, and other traumas.

The strong ones survive, but many of us don't make it. Having your mind and your body attacking you is exhausting. Sometimes it's all we can do to survive moment to moment.

You are brave and if anything more deserving of food stamps than just plain impoverished people. Our MI leads to poverty. Of course we don't want to be this way. We all would like to live the American dream, but for most of us, even with meds and therapy, it's out of reach. Not trying to depress you. Just letting you know that you're not alone and this person used her power shamefully. She has a lucky mild case and is taking it out on other people. Sometimes people project their own self-loathing on to others. Not your fault.

I'm glad you're taking care of you.