I try to keep my life as structured as possible (I work shift work, so that part I don't have control over), but in the rest of my life I am very structured. I work out regularly, eat properly, get enough sleep and if I'm having issues sleeping I take a sleeping pill, take the meds, surround myself with people who "fill" me up, journal. For me the meds are 60% of managing the illness, but the other 40% is all the other things I do.

When I am depressed I truly just force myself. I know I love being at the stable, so even when I don't want to, I go see my horse. Normally I like working out, so I will force myself if I'm in a depression. I will continue going to work, but in the past I have had to take sick leave when it gets really bad. Simple things like continuing to put on makeup, do my hair etc. because lord knows I don't feel like it when I'm depressed, but it does help pick me up.

Have you considered joining a face to face support group for persons diagnosed in your area?