From the article: Making Ends Meet
Finding and keeping a job can be challenging for many people who have bipolar disorder. A supervisor, manager or boss may be unsympathetic or inflexible. Tell us how you have solved a problem regarding your bipolar disorder and your employment. Share Your Story
Bipolar Preacher
- Two years ago I was diagnosed with Bipolar II (Hypomania). Like all the situations mentioned, I too have had difficulties in my job. I am a pastor which makes for an interesting situation. Life had became a complete mess for me three years ago. My marriage was failing apart, I could not handle pressures at my church and my health was terrible. So I sought therapy. What I began to understand was I had been living on the Bipolar roller coaster for over 20 years. Looking back, I can see every stupid mistake I made either in mild mania or depression. I will definitely not share my medical condition with my superiors. You would think the church would have some grace but you would be disappointed. It have found support in therapy and amongst friends who battle like us. Although my moods shift from time to time, the lamotrigine curtails the effects. I can function again. I'm concerned the medicine my not work in the future but I'll just have to continue on in therapy.
- —wbc91
Discrimination
- It seems you are damned if you do, and damned if you don't. I am currently trying to get money scraped together to file a lawsuit against my former employee for wrongful termination. My boss was a complete jerk about he entire situation, and got my few co-workers to lie about me. In writing, he wrote outrageous lies about my "overtly irrational" behavior and then proceeds to claim that I resigned, which I did not. People are evil, even bosses whom you've known for over 10 years. They will throw you out door with nothing and kick you on the way out. My employer was severely negligent and knows nothing about the law. Well, if I can scrape my last penny together and get a loan, I can get what I deserve. I was injured on the job, however no one believes me. In the meantime I am filing for SSDI benefits until my memory improves and my head clears. Although, I believe the abuse done to me at work has brought me to this point.
- —Guest anonymous
j monore
- I have the situation by understanding your environment is not there to attack but build better work habits and understand the building mechanics you need to get back into an normal workforce. acknowledging your insecurities and moving one helps you understand who you are and not what the some parts of the universe defines as because of dust that settle in your spirit. Once you have the self-cleaning the universe will recognize you and receive and all the gifts that in the process.
- —Guest j monroe
Discrimination is real
- Hi RN 10. It seems the health profession is not the kindest. I have worked 30yr RN. I developed MDD at 45 yo with melancholic features and psychosis. Before I realised I was sick I moved out of a senior role I had held in an Emergency Dept for 20yrs. I thought I was burnt out. I got a job in blood bank. I had lost my capacity to learn. I talked to my manager who talked to HR. I kept open communication, then one day I was told not to come back because I had asked not to move between the donor vans. I fort this for 10wks, it screw me up, my doc and friends just said walk away. I went for a job interview and had my first manic episode, was told I was most successful but job not mine due to bizarre behaviour. Same person told me later that I should not be working in community work as people like me should not be left alone. I now have a community job, a lot of problem with distractability and paper work. Let boss know so she knew why I felt I was not settling. She does not make eye contact me!!
- —Guest Guest Chris
Had to work through it !
- I not only have Bipolar 1 but am diagnosed with borderline Personality, Major depression/psychotic features, and PTSD. I taught school (with 70 or so children each year...without a diagnosis. I knew something was wrong but help wasn't available to me. I was sexually and physically abused as a child and the guilt was tremendous. I entered Religious Life and am a member of very good standing proving the point that with good counceling and a wonderful therapist and especially my trust in God, I am in a stable life at the present time. Times are tough and I take a "vacation day" once in a while. Being honest and as open as possible with those you trust are what pull me through. I pray for each and everyone who is troubled with mental illness and I wish they could have had the experience I now have with loving people around me all the time. I'm not a pollyanna but I know the truth. Thank you
- —michaelmary
don't ask, don't tell
- You know the don't ask don't tell for gays in the military ? I understand it now. They just accepted the massive bias against gays in the military historically, but they also knew there was no good reason to just kick them out. That policy is gone now, but it is only because gays are accepted by the majority now. This is NOT true for ANY mental illness besides simple depression or anxiety in Women. If you are a man, especially a white male, DO NOT TELL. You have absolutely no protection, they will find a way to get rid of you. If word gets around your profession you will have to search for a company that doesn't know to get a job. Gossip is one thing, but if you confirm the gossip by outing yourself, you are cooked.
- —Guest FredFL
Dont share with Employer
- Try to keep work and personal life separate. I have found support groups and sharing with a few select friends to be my support a much better option. Go to the weekly, or biweekly support groups, go to your church and talk with a pastor, have a friend who is willing to go out for coffee during the day to discuss and be a support. Sometimes eat your lunch as you go for a good (full stride) walk can alleviate your stress during breaks and lunch. If you are married hopefully you have a supportive spouse who can be there for you. Don't forget to try and give back to your spouse or they will burnout caring only for you. My story, I have a college degree, and have been able to hold down jobs, but most had been only a "job" until I went for further training in Computer science. I love it, and with it goes well with my personality. Gives me alone time, focus on a task. I have been there 10 years now and am in a management role supervising others. Don't tell in my role or problems.
- —Guest Donald
Work at Home Issues
- I have BP II. I work at home, and I like it because my anxiety is a lot lower. All the jobs outside of the home that I've had given me great anxiety as well as other symptoms. I haven't been able to consistently work 40 hours in years, heck even 30. I burn out and get stressed really easily, even with the WAH jobs. However, while I work at home, my dad doesn't respect it (I live with my parents). He acts like I'm a maid that is always home to pick up things and do things he doesn't want to do. On the WAH side, while I like it, I currently don't have a job that is hourly - mainly because my wireless connection isn't that great anymore. Not having enough money is a daily concern of mine, and last week I've started having anxiety attacks. I don't have any savings now, so I can't move. I really don't think I can handle an outside of the home job.
- —Guest hangintough
Overcoming obstacles at work
- Well I tend to be a workaholic in the manic stages but lethargic in the depressed stages. My husband and I run our own company and we hired really great help. I don't have to baby sit to have things done my way - things tend to build up sometimes but as the depression lightens so does the build up. I am very fortunate to have a husband that loves me enough to not let me use having bipolar as an excuse to not live and not take responsibility for my life.
- —Guest cheysmom
Funny Personalities to deal with!
- I've gone through so many ups and down at the hospital I have worked for nearly 11 years. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 and for a moment, didn't think I needed my meds. Then I began to feel over worked and overwhelmed and had a panic attack in my office. I still went to work the next day, still feeling the anxiety hovering over me, I told my boss about the Panic Attack, and she say, " oh ok." And walks away. Not only did that make me feel awkward, bu that was such an uncarrying remark to someone who'se worked ten times harder because the Department was short staffed. I'm goiing to take my own advise and ONLY do what 8hours of work can get be through.
- —Guest
Support at work but still feel isolated
- Hi, I am very lucky as I have very supportive managers that are fully aware of my bi-polar disposition. I was diagnosed last year and after 10 months leave I am now back full time and for the most part coping. However I still find that people do not react well to me sometimes and frustratingly the biggest obstacle I face is the fact that I am not always listened to because of my diagnosis. That is, certain colleagues do not listen to my opinion as they think it is part of the disorder and not a valid objection or issue. This I find very frustrating and often it leads me to react in a slightly manic way - which then only lends weight to their belief. I firmly believe that being honest about my disorder is the best thing for me as it allows me to be honest about who I am but on occasion that honesty means my opinions are ignored. I hope that soon mental illness will be less taboo and that people will be able to see it as no different to a physical illness.
- —Guest Janey
Only a few people
- Only a few people at work but not the HR rep. SHe's stupid and I'm afraid of what she'd do. I have had this job for almost 7 years and have been mostly able to fly under the radar but there are a few days that that is not possible. If I'm smart that day I leave or call in sick. In this economy they can find 'other' reasons to get rid of you. So my lips are sealed. My husband is very supportive during any phase of the bipolar madness and my GAD add-on (oh yeah). I work with a sarcastic and negative man that happens to be my superior but I share an office and other spaces with him as well. I know he's toxic so I seperate myself from him mentally. You can do it by practice every day. I know that sounds like a lot of energy but it works. Don't tell anyone at HR- they work for the company and not for you. As for those with weeks off- get a psych doctor to write an official letter to allow for those days off due to a medical condition without saying they are a psych doctor. FMLA
- —bwaisley
Teaching
- Teaching middle school is a sensitive position and altho my supervisor last year knew I sometimes had emotional problems, I never admitted bipolar. That is just too much to admit for such a position.
- —kdc910
Flying under the radar.....
- Everything I read tells us, "Be up-front with your bi-polar status because eventuality the bias will disappear. To this I say bite me! I even hate to have to declare to a new doctor or hospital my litany of drugs. Most of the drugs I take are used for many other illnesses, but Lithium is used only for one thing. I lived in fear (irrational, I'm sure) that I would be exposed at work. I worked in retail for 17 years and there are many many questionable characters. Retail is a draw for bi-polars I think because of the creative aspect. I would cringe every time an associate would say to me, "Joe Blow" - and nod in his direction - "He's bi-polar." I likened being exposed myself to perhaps how a gay person might feel being exposed before they were ready. Know this, I will never be ready. Every one has a right to privacy. It is very difficult sometimes to fly under the radar - My husband's first morning job has always been to drag me out of bed.
- —Guest elizabeth
bipolar
- l have worked in a care home for 15years and when I found out that l had bipolar l confronted my employers and found that they were very supportive and helped me claim d.w.a. which I get 265 pounds a month. So don't hide, tell your employers as there are some good ones out there.
- —Guest carol lpool
Long-term job with Long-term illness
- I've been at the same job for 14 years. During half that time I fought horrible depression, but tried not to cry at work and rather to distract myself as much as possible. Over time, as the management started to trickle away and money was tighter than ever, my personal sadness turned to increased stress and frustration at work at around the same time I was diagnosed with bipolar 2. Now my job is so frustrating , and when I'm not feeling calm and I hear the unfair or stupid stuff that's going on, it takes all my effort to stay calm and not have some type of inappropriate hyper- exchange that I'll regret. Every year, I get slightly more controlled. I meditate during long meetings and talk myself down by accepting that I don't have the power to change certain things in our company and the people who could change them don't want to work that hard. They don't think ahead or take care of preventative details. I've learned to leave work at work more than ever before and it helps.
- —Guest bipolar molar
Mental Illness Discrimination
- I have worked full-time as an RN for over 10 years and pride myself on the job I accomplish. I began a new job at a Veteran's Hospital a year ago in long-term care. I loved my job caring for our veterans and was told by all my job performance was excellent. Since I had only worked in the private sector, I was unfamiliar with the VA practice of "pulling" nurses to work on different units with no warning. Additionally, I was not informed of this fact when I applied for the position as it was not listed as an essential job function. Due to the fact that I have Bipolar 2 and panic/anxiety Disorder, I requested the reasonable accommodation of not being pulled to work other units. After 7 good months on the unit I was removed from my job and isolated from others. I am not being allowed to work as a nurse in any capacity despite the fact I have done nothing wrong. Although I have filed EEO charges against this VA for discrimination and retaliation, it will take over a year to resolve
- —RNfor10
