I've been a long-time lurker on the forum and have finally decided to tell a little about myself.

A little bit of background on me is that I was diagnosed manic depressive in 1992. Didn't understand it at the time and chalked up to regular depression. I had hospitalization 2 years ago and correctly diagnosed with BP1.

My current situation is that I am a programmer and have been bouncing around 8 different jobs in 12 years. I found that I cannot take the stress of my jobs but do the best I can since my family needs my help in the household income. The light at the end of the tunnel is that in about 3 years we will be financially secure enough for me to change careers to less stress. So, I essentially grind it out by taking the depression, mania, self doubt, etc.

My question is that do you have to become more heavily medicated to be able to handle the stress and BP so you can function? Is this a viscious cycle until I have to give up and go on SSD? Has anyone been successful to keep symptoms down with less stressful job?

Thanks in advance...