Yes. Lots of dreams stolen. Breaks my heart. Over and over and over. Lost jobs, lost friends, worst of all--lost reputation in some circles.

Every single response to your question, dear Flutter, was an echo in my heart. Every single one.

At the same time, I believe in looking for, figuring out, and listening to "the message in the mania." I'll post about that concept sometime. When I feel better. And maybe I'll even be able to actually look for, uncover, and listen to that message myself.

By this I mean that I think it's possible that maybe some of my problems with work/school, etc. are related to mania and depression in that certain things happening there (changes, criticisms, bosses coming or going, etc.) are things that are so stressful and intolerable to me that mania or depression is induced by them. And that, if I can work on those particular issues and the way I manage them, maybe I can become more stress tolerant and thus less likely to lose, in time, those employment dreams. I'm not sure that makes any sense...but I'm very willing to look into it...because I want to work. And while I'll maybe never have my dream job, working at all has become my dream at this point.

Hugs, Flutter--