Hello I'm new to the site, but not new to Bipolar. I've dealt with being bipolar since my first episode at 19. I'm currently doing an outpatient group therapy for bipolar, anxiety, and depression. I am 34 years old and have been teaching for 9 years. I had to take FMLA because I couldn't bear the anxiety anymore and I fell into a depression. For the month I've been off work I've gone back and forth thinking about my career. I'm not happy, I dread going into work. There are no bad evaluations or parent complains, all the issues are in my head. I feel anxious all day at work. I felt anxious in previous years, but as soon as I would get busy at work it would go away, but now the anxious feeling is there all day. I'm not looking forward to going back and I find that I don't have the passion for it anymore. I think its a stressful and overwhelming profession. I want to be healthy and more than anything I want to be happy.

I'm taking my medication and seeing my psychiatrist. I went to see a therapist for the first time this past weekend. I'm thankful for the outpatient group therapy because it is getting me out of my depression. My concern now is what to do next job wise. All my degrees are in Education. I don't know in what direction to go, I know I like being of service to others. I don't really care if I take a pay cut as long as I can get by.
More than anything I just want to be happy and find my purpose in life.