i rarely have to do dishes anymore cause i live back at home, but wish i had this advice last year when it was the last thing of my priorities.
Although i became addicted to doing washing, like an OCD, the dishes however got completely ignored. when you get started though, its oddly therapeutic.
What you're saying in your post about how helpful this forum is, is so true, i wish i had found it last year, but then i had no idea i was bipolar then, so it wouldnt have made any difference any way!