Hi. I have Bipolar II and CPTSD with Psychotic Features. I've also been a sober alcoholic for 16 years. I haven't worked for eight and a half years due to my illnesses. I still miss work after all these years and of course I'm tanking financially while on the Disability Support Pension (Australia). I had a pretty big career for 15 years and did tertiary study. It feels like all that has been wasted due to my illnesses. I overdid it work-wise of course, due to my illnesses and also having no self esteem due to my crappy childhood. I would periodically have a breakdown and leave my jobs, except for once at the end of my drinking when I was offered the "opportunity to resign" and at he very end of my work when I was let go as I couldn't do my work anymore. But during my career when I'd resign, I'd have my little breakdown, then pull myself together and get a new job and be off again - a better job every time. But eight and a half years ago it was the Big Crash here I am.

I'd like to go back to work in a "little job", nothing so high fly'in as my career and only part time. I have something in mind I can pursue and it would be low key. I'm profoundly isolated, have too much time for my mind to self destruct, feel useless and can't express my creativity. Money of course. So work would tick a lot of boxes.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience in terms of serious mental illness, but who has had success in going back to work - even in a modest way.