Even my friends think that I can easily get into my dream college but in reality I am questioning my worth ,The competition is cutthroat my parents and teachers are always asking me questions about my studies and scores and don't care for anything else, Everyone keeps telling me to work harder,But in reality I have somehow accepted that I can't do this or I should try something else that will make me feel better,I see people scoring less and being happy this makes me feel outcasted ,I get so anxious over simple conversation and think about it for days sometimes I lie to cover up my image of being a good student but I think my dad can see through me and he's disappointed,I want to help myself to get better and work happily without getting scared about the outcome.

My baby is 4 months old, and I think I’m going crazy. All my life I’ve waited for these moments when I’d be holding her in my hands. And now that my dearest dream has come true, I can’t feel joy. I’m angry and sad. I don’t think it’s how it should be? I worry all the time that I’m doing something wrong. It’s my first child, and I have no one to help. My partner is home only on weekends. My days are all the same, and nights are the worst, I can’t sleep for nights in a row until I’m so exhausted I drop dead and am woken up by my daughter’s screams. I’m mad at my partner, and I feel so bad about it... He almost stopped talking to me. I know I’m being mean and unfair, he’s working hard to support us all. But I can’t control it. A few words he says may make me cry. I’ve never cried so much in my life! It’s as if I’m always on edge, ready to burst. I push myself to get through the day, but it’s getting harder. Why? Shouldn’t it get better? I’m praying that next month it’ll be a bit easier, my partner’s parents will arrive for the holidays to help. But at the same time, I’m scared as hell that my future mother-in-law will judge me. My house’s a mess, I have no time to keep everything in order. I’ve gained weight. I hope my partner won’t show his irritation when his parents are here. I’ve googled about postpartum depression, and I think all the signs are there. But I can’t have meds prescribed, I’m still breastfeeding. Am I even allowed to feel that way?

Most of my friends are having families while also making dazzling careers. It feels like everyone around me is handling stress so much better than I am. My friends are going through divorces, dealing with car accidents, losing loved ones, and they seem to just keep going. Meanwhile, I feel like I'm shutting down over average daily tasks. I can’t cope with life changes and I’m pathetic at being an adult.

With this recent promotion at work, the workload is overwhelming. I come home exhausted and with no energy to take care of my children. I want to be there for them, to enjoy my time with them, but I simply can't find the mental space to relax. If not for my parents and daycare, I don’t know what I’d be doing now. The stress from work follows me home. I notice that I’m constantly irritated and shouting at my children for no reason, just because of some email from work or another morning request that I know will require me getting up half an hour earlier.

I worry that I'm failing as a mother and as a professional. How can I be a good role model for my children when I can't even handle the simplest of stresses without feeling like I'm falling apart? I've tried meditation, deep breathing, and all those quick stress-relief techniques, but nothing seems to work consistently. I still have so much anxiety that my stomach makes me sick every other day. I know I should be grateful for this promotion and everything it offers (flexibility, paid time off, etc.), but all I feel is being pressured and inadequate.

Anyone having similar issues? I'm open to suggestions or insights.

I know work problems are extremely common in people with bipolar disorder and I am no exception. One day I excel, the next day…yikes. I currently work for my best friend, it has been a blessing in many ways because he understands my needs and where I’m coming from. The problem is, I’ve gotten too comfortable with his understanding. When I’m having an off day, I take more breaks than I would if I worked for anyone else. Because…you know. He understands.

I’m starting to feel guilty because I worry that I’m taking advantage of his kindness. At the same time, there are days I would be genuinely unemployed through no true fault of my own, if he were anyone else…which often makes me feel even worse! He deserves someone reliable to support his business, instead he has me. And he won’t fire me, I’ll have to choose to leave if things get bad enough.

I can see his stress is building. Some days are so bad that not only am I not helping him, I’m also holding him back because he feels responsible for helping me through whatever I’m going through (you can see why he’s my best friend). He’s doing his own work (which consists of a full time day job plus our startup tech company), my work, and supporting me emotionally. It’s too much for one person which is partly why I’m here, to lesson his emotional burden at least.

When I think of leaving and getting another job, something more routine and where I could get fired if I don’t do my work, I freeze up. I’m a single parent of three kids. I live with my parents who help watch them, but it’s still a lot more responsibility for me as a parent than it would be if I were still married. I’ve spent most of their lives working, and missed out on a lot. With my friend, I get to work from home most days and can spend time with them. So here there’s a threefold problem, one of being terrified of getting a new job, and one of not wanting to lose the time with my kids, and one of being in a position where I get fired.

I just want to know how I can eliminate my habit of taking a mile when I’ve been given an inch. In a way I can continue to blame my disorder because impulse control is a known weakness in people like myself, but I don’t want to. I have enough awareness on those days to know I’m doing wrong, and I’m screwing myself out of the opportunity to take time off when I’m actually falling apart—because although he won’t fire me, there is still a limit to his patience.

I’m tired of feeling guilty. I’m the last person on earth you would ever expect to take advantage of a good situation, yet here I am.