I am fortybloodythree and have NEVER had a full-time job and only a couple of times had a part-time job. The longest lasted two years, and that came to a big end when ten years ago, out of the blue and with no discussion with anyone, I sold my property and a few weeks later moved 5000 km away.

I didn't look back.

Over the past ten years I have gained university qualifications and have built up a good little business from home - linking up with several other professionals. Of course it is part-time and you can hide a lot of your illness when you don't have people in your face all the time. Plus you can set your own hours.

I have had bad reactions/responses to clients at times and made embarrassing comments and shown odd behaviour choice - but what do you do? It's all part of trying to fit into this world with a brain that reacts strangely to 'normal' life situations. I guess we have to get over our mistakes. And quickly, not dwell on them and beat ourselves up over it forever.

About eighteen months ago my business associate and I became official business partners. I was only diagnosed Bipolar about eight weeks ago, but she has taken it in her stride and 'holds' me down when I am starting to get hypo ...

So I guess there are other options than working for someone else.
Especially in the current economic climate.
But I think the road is going to be tough no matter which way we go. We'll all be forsaking the smoked turkey and instead cracking open the baked beans and boiling up the spuds!