I guess from the exterior one would say I'm high functioning (I'm 39, single, own 2 homes, work full time, have 3 college degrees, own a car, 780 credit score)...but am I? I feel constant dread/depression/anxiety, drink more than I should, and today i went home "sick" from work because I was just feeling down and went home and slept for 6 hours (even though I slept 9 hours the night before). Some days, I wake up and I don't want to get out of bed, get in the shower, get dressed, slap some makeup on my face, and get in my car and go to work. But I do manage (or force myself!) to do this the vast majority of the time or I wouldn't have a job. I'm able to work from home on Mondays so that helps some.

For the past 2 years, I've had a major manic episodes each year and was hospitalized for 30 days each time (Nov/Dec). Even though I have a job, etc. does this not make me high functioning since I'm still hospitalized for mania and still get bouts of depression? Note: I do take my medication everyday, eat well, get enough sleep and exercise.