I can't add much that hasn't already been said but I wanted to let you know I have read this. I have been diagnosed with both schizo-affective disorder (bipolar type) and DID (dissociative identity disorder) and, but for spending two weeks in hospital three to four times a year for ECT I live an almost normal life. I take medication and I have the ECT treatment - something I hope that you never have to have - but I'm studying at uni, helping to start a Clubhouse (
http://www.iccd.org/whatis.html) in my town and am now happily married and trying to have children. We are looking into me having maintenance ECT so I don't have to go into hospital for more than one morning a month, and I'm over 5 years SI free. I may not be medication or treatment free but my illness doesn't completely run my life. My apologies if none of this helps you, but all I'm trying to say is that even on meds we can manage to live and not harm ourselves. Don't give up on yourself. *hugs*