My official diagnosis is Bipolar I. I think its considered more severe, and there have been some psychotic episodes. I'm currently on disability (and blessed to be on disability, too).

I just wonder...is there a way out, into a higher functioning mainstream? Not to get all Marxist and all, but sometimes I think keeping a lot of us poor is how Mental Health, Inc.--or at least, the face of Mental Health, Inc. that I've seen--maintains a lot of control over "mental patients."

I'm something of an exception to the rule, because my once "rinky dink middle class family" (a former counselor's words, btw) is now more well-to-do. Not rich, but apparently not what most people think when they think "middle-class." They worked hard, God's been good to them, I'm happy for them. Point is...

...because my parents are behind me so solidly, I'm taking the psych drugs voluntarily, not by court order. I've been spared further hospitalizations and all that other stuff that, around here at least, is often used to keep "uppity mental patients" in line. It helps that I'm white and male. If I had been born female, I'd probably be in the state hospital ((long story...)).

So...yeah. I'm finishing a degree. I'm doing it online because I was driven out of school when I tried returning to a state school to do it. Long story, that, but...again: "uppity mental patients" don't well 'round here, y'all.

What kind of j-o-b do you think is do-able if you're not yet 35, with an undergraduate degree, no criminal record but one has a stigmatized identity? Or should I just focus on volunteer work and be thankful for what I have right now?

Thanks. :-)