Should I get my Ph.D now?

[manic_felinemistress]

I have POTS, PTSD, and Bipolar 1 with psychotic features.
I somehow survived my BFA at art college despite physical and psychiatric limitations, shortly after graduating I had a mental break down that consumed about 6 months of my life due to the stress of thesis. This was in 2015 and part of 2016. I'm currently working on my MA in Secondary Education online which I started at the beginning of 2017. I chose online because I figured it would give me time away from people and allow plenty of time to find my stability again by the end of the MA, which I will complete if everything goes well by Summer of '18. By the end of this program I will also have a high school teaching credential in visual arts. There are some days I cannot get out of bed still due to physical problems and other days due to depression. My entire family has very poor health even from young ages, by the time they're middle aged it's very difficult for them. I thought I would start teaching right away and then pursue a Ph.D later in life, but I'm afraid I won't be able to then considering how my health is now. I would really love to be a college professor and disabilities advisor one day, which requires a Ph.D. I'm also concerned if I stop school now it will be hard to get back to it. Can I get some opinions? Advice? Personal experiences? I have a year to decide but I figure I should start thinking about it because it's a big decision and one would require a lot of preparation. I really do appreciate any feed back even if it's just hugs. I feel like I'm at a crossroad and once I go one way I can't choose the other later. I'm 25 now, and most programs I've looked into take 6 years, plus a year of prep to get into the program due to vigorous testing. Again any feed back would be appreciated.

[Pi.R^2]

In my personal experience, teaching is really flipping difficult but also wonderful. From what I know from others, a PhD is also really very difficult so either way it sounds like you're prepared for some hard work!

Does your MA have any teaching practise element to give you a feel for what it will be like? I'd also think carefully about the impact your thesis had on you and think about what is different about things now that will ensure that you don't go through the same as you did in your undergraduate study.

[one_step_closer]

I don't have a specific answer for you as such but I have experience of completing my Bsc and then going on to start my Msc 5 years later. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get back into studying and it was really, really difficult but I managed. Colleges and universities tend to have disability advisors so if you were starting a course and spoke to them about your difficulties maybe things could be put in place to make things a bit easier for you. Sorry if this doesn't answer your question at all. Good luck with everything, I hope your decision serves you well.