--a long time ago. Interestingly, some claim it was well before the onset of my medical problems. And, in contrasting the two states, it could well be argued that the sanity wasn't worth keeping anyway.

Seriously, besides the other suggestions, I've discovered that attempting to give aid to someone else--whether it's phsycial help (within whatever limits one has) or even just information, or an ear to listen, is one of the best mood brighteners there is. Something about trying to help another allows us to minimize our own suffering for a while; we get those endorphins released and feel we've accomplished at least SOMETHING (and the sense of not being able to get stuff done we used to shrug at is one of the nastiest parts of the spiral).

It's much of why I come to these boards--I get at least as much out of it as I put in. It's nice when self-interest and altruism combine.