I'm not well enough to work without experiencing difficulties with people. Not only do I have to work at my job, I have to work at hiding my feelings all the time at work. I feel myself dying inside every day with all the real (and probably imagined) slights I receive each day.

Despite all the talk about 'equal opportunities' and 'celebrating difference', people are as prejudiced as ever about mental illness. Someone who is a 'bit odd' is not far shy of being a serial killer in many people's imaginations.

The fact is, the government (and I believe society in general) believes all those who can work, should, no matter the degree of personal suffering it causes. Nobody cares. And if something bad happens - tough, they say. If you can't be productive then you don't deserve to exist.