Cope? Whaaah???
I keep trying sometimes I'm not quite too sure why

The last 4 months though, I've been employed on a flexi time basis, and my BP has not interfered with work, nor has work interfered with my BP, and so I hope I can continue in this manner

Feeling trapped is a huge trigger for my Bipolar Monster, and ultimately all my jobs lead there because I'm a single mom, and I ain't so pretty when I feel like a caged animal. Thee worst one was being a Contact Centre Agent, gawd I crumbled within 3 months lol, but I managed to stick it out for the full year contract with some excellent support from colleagues.

What keeps me getting up in the morning?

Well its a mixture of the above replies.

I've always been an independent person, the last time I was someone else's responsibility I was in High School. Even when I was retrenched or temporarily unemployed, I made sure I had my own funds until the next job. Working brings me a sense of fullfillment, knowing I did that, I bought that, is a source of pride, the good kind though. Not the "I'm too good to ask for help when I'm stuck" kind. Because I've definitly had to ask for help with my erratic work history.

So that extends into my role as a single mother, knowing I'm solely providing for my daughter (although she really wouldn't starve if I didn't work) keeps me going even when it feels I really can't. Also work is a very good distraction from depression, that's if I manage to haul my leaden a.s.s over there, because I do allow myself a mental health day when (desperately) needed.

Last but definitly not least, after I was retrenched and sunk into a year long depressive episode, I knew without a doubt that I could never be a stay at home mom regardless of my financial circumstances. Mentally I thrive while I'm working, ( although I now stay away from stressful jobs because I'm OBVIOUSLY allergic ) the lack of structure, purpose and sense of accomplishment that accompanies staying at home (with or without money to blow) just feeeeeeeds the depression.

So for me work is a must, its just a matter of finding the environment/circumstances that compliment my bipolar.