I almost always have worked, with the exception of a couple of times when things have been very bad so i took a year off once, and 6 months another time, and an occasional few days here and there. I tend to feel better when i'm working if i am depressed because it gets me out of my thoughts. For some reason i can make myself concentrate at work at times that i can't focus on anything else. When my mood is elevated it's harder to work, but i can usually keep it together, although coworkers tend to ask questions about if i'm ok. I don't work if i'm sick enough to not be able to focus or think clearly, because my job is in health care, and i don't do anything that could put patients at risk. I don't know how i do it, i just keep going and doing my best. I've managed to create a good career, but i am aware that it could all be a house of cards.