Thank you for the detailed reply. It has given me much to think about.

Here's the reason I asked. The main point is that I feel a strong compulsion to quit. My thinking and behaviour have become very erratic and I would just as soon stay at home, out of everyone's way. I don't want to go the disability route because I don't think I can live on what I would get. I could try to collect unemployment insurance during a prolonged medical absence from work but I would again receive an amount under what would be considered the poverty line around here. What that boils down to is that I can't afford to not work. I am (sorta) looking for a new job. But that will be of limited helpfullness if this mixed state continues for much longer. I guess I am going to have to tell my boss something but keep it as vague as possible as you suggest. There is no HR department where I work per se. For all intents and purposes, he is HR.

There has been a worsening in my symptoms lately toward hyponania. In my case, that is characterized, at the moment, by agressive, short-tempered behaviour, very little sleep, and a generally agitated, anxiety ridden state.

As a result, I have a great deal of trouble concentrating so I am making stupid errors at work, getting very peeved with co-workers, and becoming more anxious about having to show up for work in the first place. I keep thinking I should quit before I punch someone out and my pride is such that I would rather quit than be fired for poor performance (as opposed to attendance.) I keep screwing up and I keep getting angry about other employees, one of whom is often late in the morning and the other of whom I work the night shift with that is a knob I have to listen to ***** about the one who is always late.

Also, I am having trouble handling the overnight shift physically and it along with everything else has been even worse during a winter that just doesn't seem like it is coming to an end. It's two thirds of the way through March and it was snowing on the way to work tonight. (I really dislike winter a lot.)

Thanks again. I see you are not unfamiliar with the idea that it's tough to keep a job for any length of time, whether or not you like it or are any good at it.

Sorry about the run on sentences. Just trying to squeeze as much info into the space as possible I guess, in a blurting sort of way.