I was symptomatic when I was 18-19 and I managed to keep my part time job while in and out of the hospital, barely. I had ECT in 2006 which “cured” me (so I thought). Switched around through part time jobs while getting through college. After getting through college I got my first teaching job and bipolar came back with a vengeance. I took several extended leaves from teaching. Finally got a job at a public school. Was let go. Hired back for the next year. Let go after two hospitalization. Finally got a job as a one to one aide. I did well that year, even though I was working full time it wasn’t as stressful. This year I tried teaching again and had to resign within a month. I now have a full time job as a one to one aide again at a different school. It’s very stressful only because the student I’m working with is tough. He’s very disrespectful to me.

My point is I haven’t had a stable job In my field since 2013. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to teach again, which is very upsetting to me. But I’m hoping this particular job will be my career. I won’t know for years though. I hope I don’t throw it away for something else. That’s what my problem is. I keep quitting or getting fired.