Reading this thread offers a lot of comfort. I had a successful career up until my first manic episode in my mid 40s and was able to support my son after his dad died when he was still a small child [from cancer]. After my mental breakdown I was on short term disability but was eventually forced out onto LTD after several years of trying to get back to work. It was a bad work situation. They treated me terribly so in many ways I'm glad I got out.

I'm grateful to have disability coverage. It was a huge blow at first to stop working but now I have accepted it and actually enjoy the freedom although I often feel and am isolated. Now I've also been had surgery and chemo for cancer and have got numerous other health problems (and now legal problems too...) but the negativity of my thoughts is the worst.

I don't think most people can appreciate how tough it is to have to cope with bipolar and the negative thoughts and anxiety.

Couldn't do the type of demanding work I had before. Don't even leave the house most days. But am l'm alive. Surviving is sometimes all that i can do.