I got diagnosed with Bipolar in 2004 and got on disability at that time. I went back to work in 2006. Before 2004, I was in and out of the hospitals (psych ward) with "major depression".
From 2006 to Aug 2013, I had a psychiatrist and therapist but still was sometimes in the hospital. For all those years, one of my biggest stresses was to not be able to hold on to a job. Sick days were frequent and sometimes for a week or 2. I worked 2 years at a Nursing Home before getting fired. That was the longest job for me. I think a new definition for disability should be: Unable to work 3 mo without calling off. This episode of bipolar (Mixed episode) has been the worse ever. I am still sick but I am also sick with Multiple Sclerosis (Diagnosed last month). I can't even drive because of dizziness and confusion (which has gotten better).
Anyway I am on disability and this time I will stay on it!!!