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What is it like being employed with bipolar disorder?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Aesra
Aesra

Since I don’t have bipolar disorder, I’m wondering what it’s like being employed with the condition and if it is difficult to sustain a job. Has anyone had any positive or negative experiences with being hired and if so, how have others treated you during your working hours? Or maybe you haven’t disclosed your mental illness for certain reasons? I apologise if I've asked a lot of questions... redface I just want to understand from someone else’s viewpoint. 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • sadhna15793
    sadhna15793 Aesra

    Posted

    Hi my partner has bi polar & is self employed, he buys & sells cars which keeps him very busy & active but sometimes gets too much & needs to just rest for a few days as he's easily stressed .

    He did have a full time job recently but was very stressful & in all honesty a little too much as working with others is quite a challenge when u Hav a mental illness.

    Depending on your lifestyle I think part time work is manageable

    • Aesra
      Aesra sadhna15793

      Posted

      Thank you ever so much for your reply. I hope you are both managing things well.

  • jessica93013
    jessica93013 Aesra

    Posted

    Ive struggled with bipolar since i was 18 im not 33. I didnt find a combination of meds that work for me until about 8 years ago. I was a stay at home mom intil about 4 years ago. Ive been thrugh a few jobs that just stressed me to the point that i had to quit. It just wasnt worth the stress. Ive now had my full time job for a year and still love my job.
    • Aesra
      Aesra jessica93013

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply. I hope things are still going well for you and you are doing great.

  • louise79427
    louise79427 Aesra

    Posted

    Hi

    I have bi polar and work full-time. My work colleagues are great with me and I feel really lucky. I am on antipsychotics, lithium and citralopram to combat the condition. I have been hospitalized several time for psychosis, but am on aripiprazole to stop the voices etc. I feel really lucky to have such great support at work and at home.

    Lou x

    • sadhna15793
      sadhna15793 louise79427

      Posted

      That's great feedback Louise & really encourageing ! Well done & best wishes

    • Aesra
      Aesra louise79427

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply. I hope the support is still continued today.

    • AdityaSanghvi
      AdityaSanghvi louise79427

      Posted

      That is really good that your work colleagues are understanding. Many people don’t even believe that there is something like this.

  • Misssy2
    Misssy2 Aesra

    Posted

    My bipolar biggest trait seems to be impulsivity which has affected me greatly in employment.

    I tend to blurt things out...sometimes inappropriate things that I am thinking during meetings....or sometimes things that I just feel so strongly about that I know are controversial to say but I say them anyway.

    I have been pulled aside throughout my career by loving co workers and Superiors and told that maybe I should write down my thoughts before blurting them out and try to think thru what could occur if I say what I want to say.

    This trait has led me to unemployment...by choice because it was causing me so much stress to have to watch my moods or what I said...that I left my job of 19 years....and now collect disability from the government. For Anxiety disorders...I was not diagnosed with Bipolar at the time of my government approval.

    So I'm sure when the government reviews my claim in the 3 year period and see that I have been diagnosed with Bipolar it will just add to support the fact that I struggle in the workplace to the extent that I just can not handle it.

    • Aesra
      Aesra Misssy2

      Posted

      Thank you ever so much for your reply. I hope you are doing well now and managing in a healthy way.

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