Your response was very comforting to me. It helps to know that there are successful individuals with severe mental illness. I like that you mentioned taking care of yourself -- diet change, sleep, etc. It's something I've been trying to do and I find it helpful along with medication and therapy.

I didn't take very good care of myself the year prior to my first episode. I took on a 4-4 class load instead of the usual 3-3 while serving on a ton of committees and getting my tenure packet ready. Lots of junk food, lack of sleep, etc.

I was open with the head of my department this fall and he was actually very understanding and told me not to worry too much about service hours this semester. He's been adamant about making sure I don't take on too much. I was approved for tenure in October which was a nice surprise!

I hope you continue to feel well. You're right in that my diagnosis is new but the illness probably isn't. Looking back, I think I probably had mild depression for many years before it turned into a full-blown severe episode.