I was on SSDI 1993-1996 and 2004-Present. Long history of hospitalizations, functioning at a minimum with agitated depression (or mixed states, form of Bipolar) and dissociative disorder. I had an excellent Lawyer in 2004 and appealed twice for two yrs backpay. Judge allowed one yr backpay and his decision was overturned after the second appeal by the SSA Appeals Court. (eg. Every decision made by a Judge goes to the Appeals Council for review and can be overturned. The Judge did not look at my pay stubs for 2002 which showed that I only completed like 35% of all 8 hr days.) I'm not ashamed but the few people I've told sure do seem offended. I feel like I'm part of a witch hunt sometimes. (I only state I'm disabled if I'm backed into a corner by someone.) I'd love to work and get out of poverty and live a "normal" life, believe me.

I responded very well to Paxil in 1996 and started working FT in data entry then engineering and eventually relapsed by 2001. (First really diagnosed as BP in 2003. During the 15 yrs prior to that I had every diagnosis.)