I have Bipolar II and I'm having serious problems at work: focus, memory, meltdowns, crying, snapping at people, making frequent mistakes due to anxiety, lateness. I'm 50 years old. Meds don't work well on me. I may have to apply for disability this year if things don't improve.

What do you think?

Is having one job for 20+ years a bad thing, versus being fired from several jobs along the way? Although, I was on short term disability twice (3 and 6 months) during this time. I just got off of 6 months SDT in August. I can probably get a letter from my workplace that I have been gradually unfit for work over last few years. They have been tolerating me for the last year, but I suspect they're not happy with me.

Also, I only have one psychiatrist for the last 10 years and I was never hospitalized. Does that matter? I'm also seeing a psychologist, but only for about two months. The psychiatrist will definitely help but the psychologist probably won't want to be involved at this time. Unless I see her more.

And if I decide to apply for SSDI I can to go on a long term disability which is handled by an insurance company, CIGNA, and they are supposed to help me with the SSDI paperwork. They will pay my LTD until I get SSDI approved. This is one of my benefits from my employer. BTW, anyone has any experience with CIGNA?

Thanks.
Z.