I'm BP I and my manic episodes usually ended up with me spending several weeks in the psych ward. I lost 10 years of my life, my 20's, to this illness. I usually lost a job or dropped out of school depressed or hospitalized. Then, with the birth of my son 25 years ago I accepted my diagnosis and began taking litium religiously. Haven seen restaints since. After 5 years working in child welfare I got my masters in social work. I have worked the last 20 years with the elderly as an Adult Protective Services worker. I'm hoping to retire in about 7 years without a relapse. No one knows my diagnosis at work other than they all think I'm a little nuts. I used to be ashamed of my illness. Now I 'm just glad I have something so treatable.