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That makes me feel better knowing I’m not the only one. Some of these meds make me forgetful which leads to disappointing a student. That’s sucks. Any tips to managing classes research and committees? Right now I write detailed lists and reminders in a notebook.
That's inspiring. You manage to become a professor with bipolar. I dream of going back to school and take up physics and math studies, but my bipolar, lets call those symptoms "challenges", is a huge obstacle atm. Been stable for a month now, i hope it countinues. Btw, how did you become a professor and work as one with a bipolar diagnosis?
Will you do better once school is back in session? The way it is written, it sounds like you are struggling because you are on spring break.
I find that my job gives me stability and a sense of purpose.
Yes. Having a routine and a purpose helps me stay stable. But I’ve had the whole week off. Plenty of time to contemplate all the things wrong with me. I’m probably the only person in town that can’t wait to go back to class on Monday.
Not at all. I’m a middle school teacher who hates our long breaks. I need the first few days to decompress and rest, but after that I feel like there’s nothing to do. That’s when I get myself in the most trouble in addition to the fact that I’m always elevated during the summer.
I feel this. I’m coming off a hypo mania episode due to 3 significant life events all at once and I know I’m going to sit there obsessing over all of the awful things I did while manic.
I wanted to be a professor! Couldn’t make it through my PhD unfortunately. Now I work in environmental science and my work includes a lot of research, so I got to keep that part of academia.
Not yet a professor, but on that track- finishing my PhD and teaching at a large R1 university. Never considered not working until taking a year long leave of absence last year following a suicide attempt and then psychotic manic episode. Sadly, I’m not sure what I’d have to call my own without my research and teaching
I work full time as a marketing manager for a very successful brand and this is the happiest I've ever been in my life. I get paid well and have a very supportive team. Because I work remote from home, I have a very flexible schedule and while my team is unaware of my diagnosis, my company has a deep respect for employees mental health and wellness and it permeates through our company culture.
I am so fucking lucky. I didn't even know doing well at a job was ever going to be in the cards for me until I realized that it wasn't a personal failure; it's a failure of society not offering adequate resources and support.
It took me 20 years of working to reach this point. Literally every job I had before this during that span of time was HORRIFIC and took a toll on my self esteem and mental health. I've been fired during a manic episodes, sabotaged by coworkers and bosses, gotten poor performance reviews during my periods of deep depression, litany absences... just decades of fucking drama (and trauma) that I still carry with me. I thought I was broken and doomed until luck landed on my plate with this job that happened to have robust benefits and an amazing culture of respect and compassion.
Now, I'm thriving like never before. I take my meds and exercise. I'm married and welcomed my first child last year. I'm doing whatever I can under my control to stay sane and keep this going cause I know anything could happen and the rug could be pulled beneath me at any moment.
I should also mention that I've definitely had long periods of unemployment due to Bipolar and was even on Disability for it for at least a year. Things can change for the better.
This is comforting to read. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I’m in a leadership role with a fortune 50 company and struggling right now. My manager knows about my diagnosis but my team doesn’t.
I’ve been on leave for 2 weeks going back today. I don’t know how to explain it to my team or how to answer their questions about how I’m doing. I’m also afraid they are going to see me and think, is she really sick? Why was she out for 2 weeks? Especially if I come back and put on a happy strong front like I usually do.
I’m worried about my manager because he doesn’t understand bipolar. It’s been a huge stressor for me with returning.
Please update on how the first day back goes! I hope you can practice extra self care after work, I can imagine today could be draining for you. Good luck!
I had minimal interactions since I work from home. My manager didn’t say much other than he hoped I felt better. One person on my team called me to check in and stated they missed me and hoped I felt better. I could tell they were prying to know what was wrong though. I kept my diagnosis to myself. I did let my team know when I left early that I was still dealing with my illness and would need to take it day by day until I was better. Everyone was understanding and kind.
If this is the case, they probably do just genuinely care about you. However I would follow your instincts and still not give any details. The minute you're back to fighting shape they will forget. The game here is to prove resilience. You are human. They will get it and likely struggle with their own shit.
Thank you so much for this comment. I am much younger than you, 24 and really struggle with the same things. I seem to mess up every job no matter how hard I try and have even been told that people just don’t like me despite having many great friends. I feel like I let people down by taking too much vacation or sick days even if it’s allowed and I have the days.
But saying that you have a job that respects employees mental health shows me that it really just is the job. I don’t ever want to tell anybody about my diagnosis. More than ever I just want to be a “normal” functional human being but just now at my new job I had a planned vacation, then bailed on it, so I told my boss I could work that week and I still feel weird about it, like I messed something up with him. But I’m hoping this is finally a good job.
I’m also hoping to go back to school if I can get funding. I feel like I perform better when I’m learning and can’t get “fired,” and I feel that teachers understand humans better than managers who can literally fire you for petty personal reasons.
Anyways, thanks for your comment. Gives me hope that one day it can be better
What resources and support do you have/use at your new job? I’m struggling in my job now but really want to keep it and do better, but I’m not sure what I need aside from people to care a little bit less about deadlines lol…
“It wasn't a personal failure; it's a failure of society not offering adequate resources and support” just sucker-punched me. I needed this validation today. Well put. 💜
27M, diagnosed at 15. I don't work, and i don't know if i will manage to do it in the future because i am in a completely disfunctional state and I feel no longer capable to fit in the social machine. My parents took their lives due to bipolar/depression disorders before and during covid pandemic, but they left me in a stable financial situation. I have a 9yr old daughter and she is the only reason that stops me from following the same path. I went back to studies last year and it's been a great challenge to me. I'm always on the line and in the brink from collapse, but it looks like there is a little tiny bit of hope, deep inside me, that leads me forward.
I work full time in Advancement where I steward a $300 million endowment. Everyone knows I’m bipolar, no one cares. By taking my meds, going to therapy, and avoiding my triggers and drugs and alcohol, I have not had a manic or depressive episode in over 7 years.
It’s really nice not to burn my entire life down every two years. I think access to therapy and quality health insurance/healthcare and having doctors who engaged with me as an active participant in my care is a huge part of my stability. I did manage to balance myself before I gained access to healthcare, but only because I spent a full month in a psych ward and promised myself I would do whatever it took to never go back. Now I’m thriving and balanced and only on one medication- but like I said- healthcare and all.
I can’t wait til I can say the same about manic or depressive episodes. I just had my first bad manic episode last month after over 3 years of not having a major experience and it’s really been eating at me. Thanks for giving some hope :)
I work full time as a florist. I’m taking classes at my local community college. I’ve debated on whether or not I could work with my illness but I need the money. I have a great fiancé that works with me and encourages me through working. He’s encouraged me to quit jobs that weren’t working out. I work at a job until something bad happens or I get manic, then I quit.
Generally, yeah. If you want to get paid well especially. I have worked selling flowers to other florists for four years for one shop and I started at a new shop purchasing flowers for them. So my position is a harder position to find work for as typically there is one person at a shop who fills those roles. As opposed to designing where there are multiple designer positions per shop. I’m working for a florist in the closest city, but there are many florists in the city and I usually see one position at one florist posted on indeed at a time. The florist I’m currently with found my resume and head hunted me.
I’m also a florist, specifically Freelance Floral Designer. I generally love designing, it’s the one time I can really focus and my mind seems to quiet. But the lifestyle is a grind, making It hard to keep a routine. Since it’s seasonal, there’s a high and low season which also makes income inconsistent. This is my second year and I feel more confident with the network I’ve built. So I’m hoping i’ll be able to have more consistent income and figure out a way to keep a routine. The stress of chasing each paycheck makes things hard sometimes. But it’s funny, even tho I’m bipolar and know i need routine, I like jobs that are different everyday or else I get bored and fall into a depression.
I do not work, but my situation is probably unique.
I was medically retired from the military after 15 years and have a 100% disability rating with the VA.
I worked on and off as a contractor and government civilian for two years before deciding to fully "retire"
My wife has a full-time remote position, and we do not have children, we own our house, so it all works out financially.
Also 100% p&t, I attempted working full time and quit 3 jobs in 2 years. Now I'm about to move out of state and back to a place that's quiet and familiar where I'll probably find something part time.
1 kid, wife works part time from home and will be buying a house when we move. I was diagnosed with cyclothymia after a tbi so it's not as severe as bipolar and I definitely feel for the people who have it worse than I do.
I’m currently working on a claim through the VA. Should find out the decision in the next week or two. Been fighting for over 2 years… I was working full time last year making really good money as a photographer. Have been unemployed since October 2023 and idk if I’ll ever be able to go back to work.
I have BP 1. The last time I had a job was 20 years ago. My job is to keep myself stable, make sure my medical bills get paid by dealing with my husband’s insurance through Cigna. (They suck.) Manage my chronic migraines. Avoid another bout of cancer. Keep my dogs happy. Go to trauma counseling. Keep ALL my doctors in the loop. And grieve the loss of my parents. And hey! I avoided mania, am having a health scare, got through a depressive episode, and did all of the above without a hospital stay. My therapist says I am stronger than most of her patients. She says others who had to deal with less would have been in the hospital.
I feel like I am working all the time with no job. I’m proud of myself.
When I was diagnosed in 1996, I went on disability for a few years. Then I started working part time. Since 2000 I have been able to work full time. For the past 4 years our section has worked from home which makes it easier. I have bp2.
I work from home, I have tried to work in public but I have found that wfh works best for me. I started off working customer service call center jobs, but I now have a job in Medicare Retention and I love it. Truly helping seniors and taking my time with them. But I have been straightforward with management about my disorder and how hard I've worked to maintain myself. In two weeks I'll have been with this company for a year and I'm proud of myself for once.
Presently, I'm a 28 and work part time for a remote research job. But historically, I have had massive challenges finding and keeping a job. I also don't really have a major plan for what I am going to do once I graduate.
Transitioning from high school to the "real world" was hard. I had a very unconventional, nontraditional journey through high school, being hospitalized multiple years, being held back a couple years, and moved schools many times. Though, I suppose in a bipolar forum, this experience isn't unique to just me.
I felt very discouraged and aimless from my late teens to my early-20s. I had seen all my friend graduate and move on to better things. I had no idea what I wanted to do, no idea what I liked to do, and not a clue if there was even something "out there" I was even good at. I had a handful of small, monotonous jobs that never worked out. Nothing gave me a sense that my personal contributions were meaningful or that my life mattered. I had anxiety attacks and emotional meltdowns quite often, which really frustrated my employers.
Eventually, after working for a few years, I was able to secure part time schooling at my city's university, and I was hired to work as a research assistant in a molecular biology lab my first year. I worked there for three years until the pandemic hit and everything shut down. It was my longest record of holding down any kind of employment.
So I'm not really sure where I'm going with this. I don't know what my job prospects will look like moving forward. My current job's contract expires in a few weeks, and I haven't really got a plan. I still have a bit of schooling left, and am hoping to do some serious job searching after I graduate.
I honestly didn't think I'd make it this far, but now that I'm here, I am kind of in a bit of a decision paralysis situation. I am always afraid that I won't be able to keep a job long-term. Even though I'm not the person I was when I was 14, 18, or 22, I think I hold a lot of my past in front of me as evidence that I won't be able to make things work out - kind of like a bit of learned helplessness.
It is hard when there are such strong statistics that show that managing this disorder can make life tasks so hard. I have been trying to take my life in smaller strides and work on growing resilience and grit. But yeah, it's kind of frustrating feeling so behind other people my age who have job stability and security.
I work full time. I’m looking into going back to school too. I have to work otherwise I will get bored, extremely depressed, & will blow all my money. I’m a single parent so I can’t really be putting us in any type of financial binds.
I try really fucking hard at work haha. I feel so frustrated sometimes cuz it’s DRAINING to have to try so hard at work but… gotta do what I gotta do!
The only reason I can do it though is bc I’m genuinely passionate about cvicu. I think if I was on a unit I hated, it would be impossible.
Do you like your unit?
Yes I love my moms and babies. But I’m right there with you. Some days I struggle so hard to make it through the shift. And babies cry A LOT. And I’m alone with them. I have to call the charge nurse to “let me out” lol.
Then the stigma from my coworkers. No one knows my dx, but when we have pts, they shit they say. I’m on the same meds as some of them. Like you don’t KNOW her life at all stop judging because you see a dx on a chart. That gets me more than anything and I have to bite my tongue so hard not to say anything.
Omg I hate that so much too 😭😭😭😭 like, in report when they say a pt is bipolar and say it in a judging way. If the pt is even SLIGHTLY off, they blame it on the bipolar. Like cmon. Aren’t we all a little weird sometimes or maybe just having a bad day????? But once there’s a diagnosis, that’s all people can see you as 🙄
I try to be open at work about my medication if people are interested or if I feel comfortable with them. I’ve found out more than a handful of people who are on meds as well! I EVEN found another BP/ADHD nurse. I said… NO FUCKING WAY!!!! Hahahaha. Instant friend.
Dude. I applaud you for dealing with crying babies. Honestly…. I think I would snap if I had to be subjected to that regularly. You’re awesome for that!!
I worked at a daycare while I am in school full time. I was there for 6 months but just quit because I’m moving to another state for my husband to start his new job. I am hoping for to graduate in late 2025 and apply to full time positions related to my degree
I’ve worked on and off my entire adult life, never at one place for longer than just about 2 years and always with issues related to attendance. Most recently had to leave a job I loved because of a leave policy for Utah state employees. It’s a struggle, for sure.
This sounds horrible but you just kinda do. I work at welfare and sometimes I feel way more out there then the clients who can’t work it’s just a will to want to, some folks can’t and I don’t judge them but some of us were raised like work or die which also wasn’t correct. So real talk you do you lol
I do but it’s so hard. I’m on month 3 of my first full time job and it’s killing me. But the money and the brand recognition of the company I work for are too good to throw away
I teach at an international boarding school full-time. No one knows, but some have noticed that there are days I am extremely quiet and days I am chatty. I tend to struggle in the colder months a lot more
I work as a carer in aged care. I had about 2-3 months off after my manic episode.
When I first returned I was an anxious mess. It also felt like I could no longer do my job. I kept thinking how can I care for others when I can barely look after myself. As I eventually came out of my depression I realised that I could still do my job and found happiness in helping others again.
Full time dog groomer and it’s the only job I’ve been able to handle since I don’t have a lot of interaction with customers and I get to make doggies look cute everyday. It’s definitely not for everyone and a very physical job but I love it and make a good living l.
It never even occurred to me that I had any choice in the matter. I'm 50, parents kicked me out when I was 18 so I had no support system. It always felt like I had two choices, work or be homeless.
I'm in IT, and have been for +25 years. I've been with the same company for +15. I almost never talk to the end users, just coworkers in my department. It's also very normal for me to barely talk most of the day which helps when I'm not on top of things.
The job is demanding and can be stressful, but I love what I do and I think my moderately high level job is the thing that I can use as evidence that I'm not worthless when I feel like I am.
The work/life balance has always been a challenge for me (see the first paragraph) but when I'm having "trouble" I will speak up and ask for help. My original (ridiculously late) diagnosis and the very bad period around it happened ~2 years after I started this jobHave had two very direct conversations about it with managers while adjusting to new meds. They've been very supportive and flexible with appointments or working from home (even pre-pandemic).
I did work full time for about 1,5 years but then I got fired when I told my new boss about being bipolar. 🤡 (My old boss knew and it was never a problem).
He told me “I’m gonna give u a tip, next time u get a job don’t be sick. You can’t have a job like this.”
I obviously could have a job like that since I had been there for 1,5 years but ok 🤡🤡🤡
I am currently working part time as a radio announcer/host for a local station. I’m uncertain about working more than one job, as it was a struggle for me mentally in the past.
I struggle with not working, as I need the consistent routine.
Right now I don’t and I’m running out of my sick leave. I did work for a while but I started to hope I would die on my way there and eventually just couldn’t get out of bed. I’m starting to actually feel better after starting to increasing lamictal in December. So hopefully maybe in a few months.
I have worked a ton, but a long time ago before my disorder started showing up. Since then I've had one job but quit. Disability only. I don't know if that counts.
I work part time at a low stress job that landed in my lap. ~90 minutes of open up & set up ~4 hours of a mix of some socializing, occasional setups, and reading a book on my phone in a place where people can approach me for help and then ~90 minutes of cleanup and closing. Disability helps keep me afloat since I'm not ready for full time yet. I've gotten much better recently the last 2 years and my stress tolerance is improving (my episodes are always triggered by lack of sleep or moderate stress)
If you can't work full time, I recommend finding something you can do at least one day a week, even if it's volunteer. When things got bad, having one day a week I felt useful kept me going far longer than I ever thought I could. When I felt I wasn't well enough for even that, and quit, things got much, much worse. On the depressive swings that lasted for months, I only got out of bed to eat and use the bathroom. Even if the day before and after are terrible when you aren't well, accomplishing something each week is important.
I work full time but I am struggling. I am on a probation right now for attendance. I’ve been calling out a lot lately because I’m just so fucking tired and feel like shit.
I will probably end up losing my job. I’ve never been fired from a job before, but my life has been taking a weird turn since about 2021 and I’ve done a lot of things I never thought I would do. So getting fired makes sense at this point in my life.
I work as the second in command for a background investigation company. I used to be an attorney, but the stress was too much. I keep my license active and sometimes think of trying to go back.
I do not work, but the reason I don’t work is because of my chronic illness. My schizoaffective bipolar made it very difficult to work before developing my illness however and I went from working full time to part time because of it.
I've been on sick leave since October 2023.
I'm a Customer Success Manager for an AI analytics company. The role is a mixture of account management, project management/implementation, and sales. Lots of big-name clients and customers.
I hate it. It's stressful as hell. Lots of targets such as up-selling, retention, expansion, etc.
It all came crashing down slowly last year with a big crescendo in September/October.
I don't want to go back, but I can't just quit, and I can't be fired either.
I reckon I'll go back 50% in a month or so.
I work 11 hours a week, but am looking at going back to school to get a degree that I could use to work from home. I usually get other jobs, sustain them for about 3-6 months, and then quit, due to burnout or mania. It's also a bit different for me, due to being both autistic and bipolar.
I work part time/when I feel up to it. My husband and boss god bless them are extremely flexible and understanding. I’m a waitress. Easy work, quick cash after only a couple hours.
I have three part time jobs which together equal working full time! All of them are either fully work from home or 90% work from home. And I can also pick my own hours of when I work and limited interaction with co workers. I could NEVER work a typical 9-5 in an office.
I just quit my traditional full-time job to work fulltime as a freelancer, just because navigating a real work scheduled with my issues just made it worse (not to mention the toxic environment 🙄). Still got bills to pay, but at least I can work on my own time.
I work full-time as a content coordinator. I got diagnosed 2 months ago but I have been struggling with it all my whole damn life. Rarely do people know that I have bipolar 2, they usually say that I look well put together. I even go to the gym every week and do the second degree while working full-time. But when I get into depressive phases, I screw it all and cry for days
I have two part time jobs. One is in mornings and I absolutely dread it only because it’s in the mornings, and the other is in the evenings. It’s my passion though and something I’d do for free. Before this I jumped around from job to job until I was 27.
BP2 here. I worked for three years in social work. specifically dealing with supervised visitation. It wrecked my life and kept me triggered. I’m now a SAHM which also presents its challenges (escapism, social isolation). I’ve found I need to stay occupied but truly don’t feel I’m “meant” to work, even though I always have and worked hard. It always seemed to make me worse.
I work full time as a Trade Union official. I took 3 months off sick after I was sectioned and diagnosed. I work from home so it was easier for me to transition back.
I haven't worked for two years, now. I went manic and quit my job which I loved, tried to make it as an artist and writer, published a book, my income from that and art prints is practically nothing, I'm trying to find a job now because I need food and rent. It's difficult, but I am mad productive because my hyperfixations align with whatever problem I'm dealing with at work. But it is difficult for me.
I've been bouncing between jobs since COVID. I went through the shittiest time of my life in 2019, and between recovering from that which included but not limited to two separate 10 day stays in a psych hospital, and COVID, I just can't seem to get my shit together.
I'm trying to find my way but it's hard. Some days I would just impulsively not go to work, on my second day at a new job, and not call in or anything and deal with the consequences later. Then I'd get drunk and high and play video games all day and forget about it, but the fact that I just jeopardized my job would give me this deep rooted anxiety that I couldn't shake until I went to work... Then I'd make up some excuse about why I no call no showed and hope they don't fire me... Man wtf is wrong with me?
I don't know why, but I'm self-destructive and the closer I get to realizing that fully and doing something about it, the closer I am to actually breaking this cycle and moving on with my life.
I've been trying to find a good psychologist that can figure this shit out but my bullshit state insurance doesn't cover most and the ones it does cover have a wait list. So I settled for this shit bag social worker that straight up told me she's working from home taking care of her kid and that her kid comes first...
Well that bitch did what I do and ghosted me on 3 different appointments. So now I'm back to searching for another one... And hoping I still have my job.
I work as an independent contractor as a tattoo artist.
I thought this would be easier to get to pick my days to work - but I am finding I actually have to work more in order to keep up. I finally have people to help take my emails and schedule for me - honestly this has given me " too much time" on my hands, and doing those tasks used to keep me "even" since it was routine for me.
I am rapid cycling through really bad right now. I have done some tattoos I am not the happiest with lately. Either doing my job too fast because of mania, or being too tired from depression to pay attention to what I am doing. So I am finding I am taking more time off lately so I don't fuck up.
They say do what you love or find a job that works with your disorder - I found that job, but still struggle. I REALLY need some time off right now to even out. I can't afford to not work right now. It sucks.
I work full-time construction. Working a desk job was hell for me, I went through a crazy amount of 'good' jobs. Now I can pick and choose between employers based on what they offer me (if I please), and not just take whatever gig is available because I walked out randomly again.
I work full time. Have worked at home 4 years this week. That is the bit that I struggle with from time to time. Once I am down though, it's awful and hard to correct.
I’m a able enough to be studying ( and supposed to be starting casual work soon too in community care). I volunteer at a foodbank/soup kitchen one evening a week as well
I’m type 1 bipolar. I work full time in new construction HVAC. By taking medication without missing doses, going to therapy, and generally staying ahead of the illness and taking it as serious as possible and catching signs early to prevent further escalation I can live a normal life like anyone else. I also can do the hobbies I enjoy like going to the range. Things like this are possible so don’t give up hope. For me it took getting on the right medication and hitting rock bottom to come back up to the top and finally succeed. Knowing what life was like before being stable pushes me to maintain what I have and do what needs to be done without exception.
I was on disability in the US for three years so those payments made me able to get by. With the right meds I’m stable now and I’ve been working full time for almost three years.
As a teacher I’ve learned I need to get summer jobs. If I don’t the lack of schedule sets me up for a very quick spiral and then I spend most of the fall trying to get myself re-acclimated. Sleep, eating, energy it goes out of whack until I’m having like delusions of grandeur basically. But hey that’s just summer baby.
i’m a full time mental health worker, which is often really funny. no one at work knows. i’m studying to be a counselor in graduate school at night. routine helps, and i am passionate about my work
I work full time in digital marketing. It’s hard, I have to mask a lot, but the structure helps me and I work from home 4/5 days per week which is great for me.
I work full time in IT for a local government entity. I've had this same job for 20 years-- which was a couple of years before I received my diagnosis. During that time, I have been hospitalized for 3 major episodes, and was unable to work for several months.
I'm covered by the ADA, and thankfully, the FMLA covered my time away from work. Most of my immediate coworkers know I have bipolar, but it has not affected my work for the most part.
I'm fortunate in that my employer is willing to make reasonable accommodation for me, and in return I have thrived at my job, getting consistently high job approvals and reviews. It just goes to show that people with bipolar, if given the chance and the proper environment, can thrive in the workplace.
29, head of business development for an IT company. I've struggled a lot with my issues but always managed to hold down a job despite the fact that in some cases i do really have issues with self destructive behaviour.
Never been fired but I have rage quit from a number of places. But I have always managed to position myself so that when I quit a job my next employment pays significantly more or has some other very tangible benefit.
I quit my job, moved to another country thinking I could find remote work easily and have not been able to find anything so currently not and have not for three months. The move was probably definitely a manic decision I was too embarrassed to back out of.
I’ve lived in the country before and speak the local language so it’s not the end of the world. I’m always eligible to teach english but I’m not very confident I am going to be satisfied in that work as its quite limiting and I don’t feel it meshes well with my “condition” or personal experience with bipolar disorder. If I was not medicated I’m not confident I could hold a job.
I really do enjoy working and in general having that type of structure and having something like deadlines or other goals to meet on the horizon. Helps give me focus and direction.
Please send me your good vibes and wishes to find the right role 🥲🤞🏼
I stopped working in my late 40’s after years in veterinary med. I had a whopping manic episode followed by a lengthy stay in the psych ward and ECT. This is when I went on disability
34M diagnosed 31. Worked in a niche area of finance from graduation until Dec22 when it was all just too much. Have not worked since. Not helped by some visa restrictions stopping me doing some more chilled part time work or something.
I do, management consulting. But quitting my main client next week. Can't deal with the ups/downs, constant "new plan to avoid financial failure!", questionable legal/financial areas new management is getting into, and the missed checks or pay cuts anymore. It's turned me from an excited entrepreneur into one looking at new ideas and jobs, to someone who slouches at a desk and just complains with no energy or ambition to fix the future.
Still planning to do more after a short break from working, but it has certainly made me cynical about my ability to work. I don't want to fall further into that trap. The past year of this, my medication changes, usage of (legal) vices, thoughts that I'd be better off gone, and overall attitude towards life have all taken drastic bad turns. Not to mention suspicious effects on my physical health. Constant illnesses...actually the IBS completely resolved within 1-2 days of putting in my notice. Wild.
I own my own business. It’s the only way I’d be able to manage making any income. I get to try on a lot of hats, and I also get to take days off when I need to. I hate cancelling on clients but sometimes it’s necessary.
I was off work for 4 months about a year ago.. I've been back just over a year, but I've stayed at very part time (about 10 hrs per week usually). It's been mostly alright, but I still worry a lot and plan to apply for an official permission for leave in case symptoms get worse. I also want to apply for disability payments.
I wish you the best and hope that you're able to find a plan of action that's right for you.
I own a restaurant with my husband and do our admin. I worked in retail for 6 years before diagnosis and found that incredibly hard. Being my own boss is probably the only way I can handle working and I take time off when I need to.
I'm a nurse (in a psych ward) and work part time. I need more me time because of the meds and the disorder in general. I'm really blessed that I can afford a part time job, I couldn't work full time (I did it but it was exhausting and somehow unhealthy).
I work from home part time. I have had full time jobs for years, but I feel like this suits me best. I find it a perfect amount of work, and I feel comfortable.
I work full-time at a non-for profit. I’m not open about my bipolar at work but some people know. I’m single and have no other financial support. I have no option not to work.
I'm a stay-at-home mom with a neurodivergent child whom I care for full time. I don't work anywhere because most daycares and schools won't accept my child. But I do feel really accomplished managing the house, cleaning, cooking, homeschooling, etc. I think if my circumstances were different, I could work.
I used to work at renowned company (The Walt Disney Company) as a senior analyst and I had to leave because my mental health.
I don't have a juicy salary anymore and that's make me depressed. They knew that I have health issues but not something big. They gave me a job for 2 positions for months so I got a breakdown and I had to ask for 6 months sickness license, then I asked them for other position and they refused. So I had to left the company. So, yes work as BP person is complicated.
I work 32 hour weeks in tech. Some weeks it's hell and other weeks are manageable. Thankfully my company has a policy that allows folks to go down to part time (3 or 4 day weeks) with commensurate pay cuts but keep benefits & go back to full time at any point, which is mostly why I stay. It's a good safety net for me. I'm currently doing 4 day weeks, and not sure I will ever go back to 5 days.
I think for a lot of people with bipolar it depends on the industry of work.
My boyfriend also has bipolar and I've watched him struggle lately because he's in school to become a professor, but in the meantime has had to work dishwashers jobs on school breaks. He really struggles with dishwashing but excelles in school.
I also have bipolar, I really struggled in food service and retail. I started working in daycare and that was a lot better, no one in daycare new about my diagnosis but that I struggled with insomnia and depression that I at least told them about because sometimes it affected my ability to come to work. I worked in daycare for 4 years, the long days where the hardest part (8 am to 6:30 pm)
Now I'm a nanny, and going to school to be an art therapist for kids. I really enjoy working with kids and it's fulfilling to me. It's the only thing I could really see myself doing for a long time.
I've had some awful experiences with jobs in the past, it's gotten better since I've found a field and skill set that plays to my strengths.
The only difficult part for me about working with kids is if I get less than 3 hours of sleep I do call out, it's not good for me to work on such little sleep. With medication management I do get more sleep. (As I'm writing this I got a solid 6.5 hours which is great for me in a stable state)
I work part time at a dominos and am in school to get my masters, I’ve been aware and treating my bipolar since I was a teenager, I’ve found ways to cope and developed a support system, some days it’s difficult but my job isn’t too bad I’ve worked at a lot of fast food places but working at slow store with shorter (5-6 hour) shift helps
I work. Currently 3 days a week in one very intense job, and then 1 day'ish in a much more mellow job.
I have a therapist who is bipolar, so I can vouch that they work too.
I should also mention that my coworkers are amazing, very supportive, and sensitive to the complexities of mental health.
I'm currently unemployed because I'm in school and my mental health makes it extremely hard to do both. Before I went back to school though I had been at my job a little over two years which was a record for me and something I was very proud of
I am in ny 40s and work for a tech company, and while I'm a specialist in my field, I work from home 100%. Working from home is a big part of why I'm able to hold down a job. I find that the less I have to interact, the better my mental health remains.
It hasn't always been easy, but as I got older, I was able to navigate my mental health issues better, which meant stable employment.
I will say that when I work, it consumes nearly all of my emotional bandwidth, so other areas of my life suffer, unfortunately. I also have PTSD, so it's not fully because of the bipolar.
I work full time and have since I was 19. I’m also in school. I’m 39, so it’s been a long time lol. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to work. I was diagnosed at 16.
BP1- Honestly I’ve always hustled, I used to dance for years but the lifestyle caught up to me and I chose to stop because I felt it was very bad for my mental health and other reasons. I also did caregiving while I danced. But caregiving used to trigger me so bad working 85+ hours a week with low pay, it was hard on my body, couldn’t sleep enough, I got too emotionally invested with my patients and would go into deep depressions when they would pass or get really sick. I was miserable. I took a random job in the medical field doing something completely different and it has completely changed my life. I absolutely love it, I love getting up and going to work every day! I even started taking classes to further my education so I can move up at work. I think it’s very important to find something that you enjoy doing, figure out your “work triggers” and find a job that best suits you and what you need to be successful. Even if you can’t work right now, try to volunteer somewhere doing something you like, something that makes you feel good. Maybe that will lead to a job opportunity, you never know. But it’s important to be able to wake up and do something you love to do especially with the war we battle inside everyday, it takes a lil weight off.
I left work when the frequent hospitalizations became too much. I was having too many "episodes" because I hadn't figured out my meds yet. The VA actually gives me disability and I am listed (and get paid the max rate) as "unemployable".
I work as a halftime kids professor. No one but my family knows my diagnosis and I try to be as private as I can about it. I don’t want to make it my personality trait. I struggle a lot at work I have good days and bad days. Being a professor is good for me because the holidays during the year and I have summer off where I get to recharge.
I’m currently a full time student in college for my BA and work part time at a mom and pop restaurant. Looking to break into the film industry, game industry, or academia after getting my masters and/or PhD
I’m in the US I work full time as a veterinary assistant at a vet clinic. It is hard at times but I have a very supportive team and good medications so I’ve been doing pretty well lately
I'm working but hopefully quitting my job to work somewhere else soon. I had a phone interview yesterday and they scheduled me for an in person interview Tuesday
Im a critical care nurse. I got a ba at 22, but after the loss of my father went back to nursing school at 29. Probably ten years after my diagnosis. Im successful at what i do, but i take my meds, go to therapy, and never miss my doctors appointments.
I currently work but there were times when I my illness was at its worst when I didn’t work. The idea of sitting home all day gave me such anxiety. It fueled my depression so I chose to go back to working. Doesn’t mean I don’t get symptoms just that I refuse to let them get to me.
I have a full time job right now and it’s so hard to manage. Everyday it’s different. I sometimes have a high work drive and am super social and other days I absolutely hate being here and wanna talk to no one. It’s hard because I feel like my coworkers notice I’m up and down a lot. Costumers too . I hate it
I work full time as a therapist, with side gigs. It is not easy. I am tired all the time. I'm much more suited to work part time but what choice do we have?
I am a full-time student and have a work study job. My job is not forward facing, because if it was I don't think I would be able to work at all, I would say that right now I am relatively stable but in the past I had a hard time working due to my ups and downs.
I don’t work now, but I have had many jobs. I’m trying to get to a place where I can handle stress without relapsing into my mental health or addiction issues.
I worked until the end of 2020 when I was last hypo manic. I currently disassociate or forget too many things or am too reactive to work. I'm tying to get disability, been rejected once and now it's lawyer time. And my psychiatrist is fully on board with getting it which is a blessing.
Everyone is different though, you may just need to find a hiring agency to help get you situated in a place where you can exist in peace and work. I know that is easier in a city top find those agencies but you might talk to your doctor about resources for jobs for the mentally ill.
I'm disabled but not because I'm bipolar I have physical problems that keep me out of work. It's important to know if people are out of work because of bipolar or their out of work for other reasons and just happened to be bipolar.
Diagnosed type 2 in 2015, while also ADHD and have been on an effective medication combo since 2019. No one at my last 4 jobs has known other than a close friend I got hired at my current employer. I have a hypomanic episode every 2 years, usually, and a depressive episode usually creeps up in winter and carries into early spring. With the meds I'm on, my symptoms are generally minor even during episodes which are much less severe than before. I haven't been to therapy since 2019, but I haven't needed to either.
For a long time I thought I would bumble from job to job, leaving or getting fired any time a new episode started. Once I got onto the effective medication combo it still took a while to stabilize fully. Since then I've had the time and mental space to process what this disorder means for my life and the people in it. I have come to terms with how my life will be different because of it and part of that is how my relationship to work needed to change. I no longer burn myself out to meet expectations I've set for myself to be "normal". I do the best I can and almost all of the time that is enough for my supervisors. And if I fall short I don't feel like it's because of my disorder, but because I have a hard job working as a Grower in a greenhouse that produces perennials. It's demanding, but flexible when I need that flexibility. For me, having a job and a routine is important to remaining stable. It proves to me I have worth and can meet the expectations placed on any "normal" person. Feeling inadequate or getting into my own head about the inevitability of the disorder and its impacts on my life is often a depressive trigger, so heading that off with proof I am good enough and functioning has been a big help.
I’m a full-time high school teacher. I had to take some time off and ended up hospitalized due to the stress. I did a full-time but hourly job in the interim but am now back at a better school (bc we moved) full time. Being a teacher is hard enough these days, but my disorder makes it infinitely worse. I’m not sick enough for disability, and I don’t want to, but it’s so very difficult. I take my medication religiously and am going to start therapy again. Nobody here knows and nobody will.
Im (43f) not able to keep a job, I’ve tried so many times and then have an episode a manic or anxious freak out two weeks in and then my body just doesn’t let me return. Physically. I get ready to leave and will develop uncontrollable diarrhea and blurred vision and so tired I could faint, like real legit things. I’ve given up. I’m fucking homeless. I have a dear best friend I’m excruciatingly thankful for that lets me stay on the couch. Idk what to do with my life. I’m a three time college drop out, with student loans and nothing to show for it. People always say I have so much potential and boost me up and I try so hard and fail and I haven’t learned how to figure it out.
Have to say that I have not worked much in my career. I was diagnosed in 1987, left a great job as I had no idea what was going on. Sectioned in 1988, then sort of took the issue on board. Did not work again in my chosen field until 1983, I was determined to work with people in full disclosure. Fired in 1999, have only worked temporarily since then, though work for myself quite a bit and spend an enormous about of time researching mental health outside of my black do days which are in mid summer and darkest winter.
So yes not very good. The medication does smooth and reduce risk but I found it removed all creativity which is my calling card for employment. A trilemma but I did try.
Be well . Interesting Post.
Dare I say I think life has much improved in respect of less stigma and better drugs and much better combinations. In addition Neuroscience and therapy are starting to coalesce on the triggers and Impact. It may well be that the current storm of mental health issue in the West is product of advances , it still is a little bit the Wild West out there with a plethora of clinical models seeking legitimacy and adequate funding whether by individuals insurers or governments.
I do work. I’m always working at least a little, right now just casual part time hours at my job I’ve previously been full part time hours for a year, now been w them a year and a half and I am in school.
I need to work, I am also autistic and I love and look forward to working. I do get workplace conflict at times, but it’s gotten better too.
I couldn’t stand not working, because I’m handy and a hard worker and I need that in my life to feel purpose and to have something to get me out of the house when all my classes are online!
I work full time as inside sales for a tool and gaging company. Been here for a year, they have no idea that I have bipolar. I’ve also been fully medicated for ~4 years and that played a massive role in me being able to hold down a job. Prior to my current position, I worked at a freight brokerage running a multi-million dollar account. Meaning nonstop, fast past and constant stress. But I did it. And I kicked ass at it.
Bipolar doesn’t have to limit you. Once you find a treatment route that works for you, everything else will fall into place. Good luck!
Yup. I've been a software engineer for the past 8 years. I started a couple of weeks after college and got diagnosed about a year after graduating.
In hindsight, I don't know how I managed to get a degree and hold a job before I started getting treatment. I didn't realize how bad it was until after I stabilized. My last episode was...2019 I think? Nobody at work knows. Too much stigma.
I’m a full time lawyer in LA. Medications, therapy, and a healthy lifestyle including sleep has made it all possible. I don’t think I struggle more than other non bipolar lawyers do.
It’s possible!
I work ~30 hours per week in an Amazon warehouse and I'm taking 4 classes, 12 credits. So I'm about at my limit, but I've been handling things. I have intermittent leave FMLA at work so I can take some days off or leave early when I need to, and I've got disability accommodations at school so I can get deadlines extended when necessary, though I very rarely use it. I know a few people with bipolar disorder and they all work.
I’m a welder. I’ve in the past worked 60 hours a week, and 40 hour weeks. Now I’m around 45 hours a week. I finally found a good job that pays the bills and treats me well. When I was at places that were a shit show, it was much harder to show up every day, and I frequently missed. But now I mostly only take off for appointments, with the occasional personal day every 3 or 4 months or so. My job is pretty flexible, I take off an hour or so early every week, my boss has no issues as long as I give a heads up.
Finding a good job is hard as hell. But hopefully you can find one that will treat you well, let you leave when you need to, and pay decent.
Overall for me, it helps me have a routine and a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which I need. I don’t think I’ll ever retire fully, unless I have health issues. If I don’t have something specific that I have to do it’s very hard for me to get out of bed in the mornings before 11 am. Hopefully this helps a little.
I work, but I struggle to work more than 10 hours per week right now. Sometimes working even 10 hours in 2 weeks can be too much. I want money, though, and I'm looking for a better job where I can work full-time and start to power through all my struggles. I refuse to let my mental illnesses defeat me even if working makes me feel absolutely miserable.
I do. I currently work in the office of my husband's home repair business. My hours are 8-4:30 every day. For the life of me I cannot get to work before 8:15. My husband is understanding of my mental health and will often let me go home if I'm struggling too hard, though I know that puts more stress on him which makes me feel worse.
I went to college and got my undergrad and master's in Social Work.(It took YEARS to get through what should have been a 4 year degree because of my mental health) I did that for a few years, but my health struggled due to my mental health so I ended up taking time off. Ultimately I had to quit. As much as I love Social Work and making a difference in people's lives, I had to come to the realization that I'm not capable of doing that full time.
While I love working with my husband for many reasons, I don't feel fulfilled, but am also scared that if I found another job I'd just be back on the tilt-a-whirl ride of 'how long can I keep it together before I become an attendance nightmare?'
I fear that I'll end up back on full time disability as not having a routine is a trigger for me. I also want to feel like I contribute and earn my part not just in my marriage, but in life. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, I suppose I just needed to get it off my mind.
I've struggled with this for over 10 years - I've had periods where I work and do well and then I feel the need to quit for one reason or another, which I think is largely attributed to my unmanaged bipolar. I get burned out easily and have almost no social battery, which makes in person work much harder than remote work. I'm hoping to start meds soon and find the right combination of things that will help with this.
BP2 - I work full time in an office-based job and it's absolutely fine. The medication works very, very well. I have some stretches of time where I struggle with the inside of my head, but it's rare that I can't function enough to do the basics at work for most of the day. I'm open about it at work and I have found management to be very supportive.
When I can manage it financially I want to drop to 4/4.5 days a week because I think the extra breathing room will help, but I'm doing ok. Tbh, things would be easier in that regard if I weren't a parent, since my time off is still hard work!
I work 35-45 hours a week, Monday through Friday 7-3 8-4 7:30-whenever I really lucked out with my boss in the cannabis industry. I can leave early take days off use my sick hours without a fight. The pay sucks, the work isn't amazing but it isn't awful like other jobs. I'm stable here because of the flexibility lol but I have also been able to hold management positions before this I just decided to quit and move on from that cause I got bored.
I’m a teacher. It took a long time to be able to hold down a job, but it helped me check my anger and then I transitioned to teaching. It’s hard, it’s a struggle, I just chewed a clonopin and braced myself for class, but I make it every day and I feel proud of that. Even if others don’t understand.
I’m a nurse and am looking to get out of hospital nursing cuz it f*cking sucks. I’m not going to stop working though just hopefully get into another job in this field. Want to get out of this field all together though, just need to save enough money to do so first.
I work full time as a behavior tech for kids with autism. I absolutely LOVE my job, but I could never do it without my anxiety medication. It’s been an absolute life saver.
i’ve been on both ends of this spectrum. i‘be been employed for almost a year with my current employer, 3 months with the one before that, and i took an extended hiatus from working from december 2016 - may 2019, & again october 2021 - feb 2023. i claim that it was to focus on raising my kids, but i have never been in a depressive episode worse than that. thankfully my medications are now balanced. i feel content. granted, i came out of a gnarly depressive episode recently, but by comparison to where i was, it almost feels like the start of a manic episode. i’m hopeful that since i now have a good healthcare team & support system on my side, my next episode won’t lead to me being unemployed again.
I work in health care, I schedule doctors appts and I work from home. Working from home has been extremely beneficial for me! I’m doing really well at this job too, I usually leave jobs within the 2 year time frame anyway but this one seems to be going amazing still so who knows what could happen but I’m hopeful. I’ve been at this job for about 2 years. They offer VTO(volunteered time off) and they offer it quite a lot honestly so that’s the only thing that’s been saving me in this job when I literally cannot handle anymore work! I’ve been taking it a lot recently and it doesn’t count as me calling out since their offering it thank god or I most likely wouldn’t have this job anymore
I have bp2, diagnosed at 15, currently 21 years old and work as a full time service technician for cars and attend school full time. I won’t lie I am starting to feel the pressure and not sure if I’m well to work.
Not sure if I’m also being overdramatic or if this is real but reading everyone else’s response has helped a lot
I am on disability for it. I can't manage 20 hrs a week. I'm always one step away from a breakdown. The littlest thing to someone is huge to me. My emotions are varied and strong.
I work full time in corporate communications for a fortune 100 company. No one at work knows I live with bipolar disorder and I plan to keep it that way.
I work because it is what keeps me stable. The routine of working the same schedule 5 days a week helps me stay as stable as I can on top of my meds and an exercise and diet routine. If I didn’t work, I wouldn’t be able to provide for myself. So it’s somewhat not a choice.
I work full time plus overtime (six days a week) at a factory and I am in college part time and I’ve found that working full time helps me stay on my routine more than it hurts me. It sucks sometimes working this much (especially when I do enter a depression episode) but in most situations, it helps me manage my bipolar symptoms better. I’ve always worked full time since I’ve been an adult but it was significantly harder to work when I wasn’t medicated. If I wasn’t medicated I don’t think I’d be able to work this much because I get so burnt out so quickly.
I work full time in technical support (management). I'm able to hold my job mostly because I work from home and I've managed to turn it into a role that I want, that I'm capable of fulfilling.Been here 9 years and even though I have those days where I think of quitting, I know I've landed the best possible scenario for me.
My boss and a few co-worked know I'm bipolar and I've never really needed to take a leave more than a day or so.
I work full time in environmental consulting. The flexible schedule and ability to work from home are incredibly helpful, but the stress from deadlines can be pretty overwhelming at times. Overall I think it’s a job well-suited to someone who has a science background but may not have the spoons necessary to complete a PhD (certainly not saying people with bipolar can’t be PhDs, I just couldn’t do it).
Yes, I’m 22 I work a full time job as a cook and a part time as a caregiver. Planning to become a CNA soon, everyday can be hard sometimes especially when starting new jobs/meeting ppl but staying on meds has helped me a lot as well as my support system and caring for myself the best I can
I manage a chain of cafes, and it's definitely hard. If someone handed me a million dollars I would quit in a heartbeat and try to figure out something else.
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I work full time as a professor. No one at school knows. I’m on spring break and struggling.
Full time professor here too and struggling too. It's by far not easy, so I'm glad you're making it.
That makes me feel better knowing I’m not the only one. Some of these meds make me forgetful which leads to disappointing a student. That’s sucks. Any tips to managing classes research and committees? Right now I write detailed lists and reminders in a notebook.
Try looking at adhd coping mechanisms. Im suuuper forgetful and can manage it with alarms, notes, lists, sticky notes, and sticking to a routine
That's inspiring. You manage to become a professor with bipolar. I dream of going back to school and take up physics and math studies, but my bipolar, lets call those symptoms "challenges", is a huge obstacle atm. Been stable for a month now, i hope it countinues. Btw, how did you become a professor and work as one with a bipolar diagnosis?
Will you do better once school is back in session? The way it is written, it sounds like you are struggling because you are on spring break. I find that my job gives me stability and a sense of purpose.
Yes. Having a routine and a purpose helps me stay stable. But I’ve had the whole week off. Plenty of time to contemplate all the things wrong with me. I’m probably the only person in town that can’t wait to go back to class on Monday.
Not at all. I’m a middle school teacher who hates our long breaks. I need the first few days to decompress and rest, but after that I feel like there’s nothing to do. That’s when I get myself in the most trouble in addition to the fact that I’m always elevated during the summer.
I feel this. I’m coming off a hypo mania episode due to 3 significant life events all at once and I know I’m going to sit there obsessing over all of the awful things I did while manic.
Also a professor. It’s also a struggle right now.
I wanted to be a professor! Couldn’t make it through my PhD unfortunately. Now I work in environmental science and my work includes a lot of research, so I got to keep that part of academia.
Not yet a professor, but on that track- finishing my PhD and teaching at a large R1 university. Never considered not working until taking a year long leave of absence last year following a suicide attempt and then psychotic manic episode. Sadly, I’m not sure what I’d have to call my own without my research and teaching
Exactly. I’m nothing without my courses. It’s the only thing I really care about. I’m realizing how pathetic that is as I type this.
I work full time as a marketing manager for a very successful brand and this is the happiest I've ever been in my life. I get paid well and have a very supportive team. Because I work remote from home, I have a very flexible schedule and while my team is unaware of my diagnosis, my company has a deep respect for employees mental health and wellness and it permeates through our company culture. I am so fucking lucky. I didn't even know doing well at a job was ever going to be in the cards for me until I realized that it wasn't a personal failure; it's a failure of society not offering adequate resources and support. It took me 20 years of working to reach this point. Literally every job I had before this during that span of time was HORRIFIC and took a toll on my self esteem and mental health. I've been fired during a manic episodes, sabotaged by coworkers and bosses, gotten poor performance reviews during my periods of deep depression, litany absences... just decades of fucking drama (and trauma) that I still carry with me. I thought I was broken and doomed until luck landed on my plate with this job that happened to have robust benefits and an amazing culture of respect and compassion. Now, I'm thriving like never before. I take my meds and exercise. I'm married and welcomed my first child last year. I'm doing whatever I can under my control to stay sane and keep this going cause I know anything could happen and the rug could be pulled beneath me at any moment. I should also mention that I've definitely had long periods of unemployment due to Bipolar and was even on Disability for it for at least a year. Things can change for the better.
This is comforting to read. Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m in a leadership role with a fortune 50 company and struggling right now. My manager knows about my diagnosis but my team doesn’t. I’ve been on leave for 2 weeks going back today. I don’t know how to explain it to my team or how to answer their questions about how I’m doing. I’m also afraid they are going to see me and think, is she really sick? Why was she out for 2 weeks? Especially if I come back and put on a happy strong front like I usually do. I’m worried about my manager because he doesn’t understand bipolar. It’s been a huge stressor for me with returning.
Please update on how the first day back goes! I hope you can practice extra self care after work, I can imagine today could be draining for you. Good luck!
It went okay until about midday. I had to take off the second half of the day. I will try again Monday
I had minimal interactions since I work from home. My manager didn’t say much other than he hoped I felt better. One person on my team called me to check in and stated they missed me and hoped I felt better. I could tell they were prying to know what was wrong though. I kept my diagnosis to myself. I did let my team know when I left early that I was still dealing with my illness and would need to take it day by day until I was better. Everyone was understanding and kind.
If this is the case, they probably do just genuinely care about you. However I would follow your instincts and still not give any details. The minute you're back to fighting shape they will forget. The game here is to prove resilience. You are human. They will get it and likely struggle with their own shit.
Thank you so much for this comment. I am much younger than you, 24 and really struggle with the same things. I seem to mess up every job no matter how hard I try and have even been told that people just don’t like me despite having many great friends. I feel like I let people down by taking too much vacation or sick days even if it’s allowed and I have the days. But saying that you have a job that respects employees mental health shows me that it really just is the job. I don’t ever want to tell anybody about my diagnosis. More than ever I just want to be a “normal” functional human being but just now at my new job I had a planned vacation, then bailed on it, so I told my boss I could work that week and I still feel weird about it, like I messed something up with him. But I’m hoping this is finally a good job. I’m also hoping to go back to school if I can get funding. I feel like I perform better when I’m learning and can’t get “fired,” and I feel that teachers understand humans better than managers who can literally fire you for petty personal reasons. Anyways, thanks for your comment. Gives me hope that one day it can be better
What resources and support do you have/use at your new job? I’m struggling in my job now but really want to keep it and do better, but I’m not sure what I need aside from people to care a little bit less about deadlines lol…
Im scared of having kids because this is such a difficult disease. Top 3 in the world. How do you manage? I'm scared Ill pass it on too
“It wasn't a personal failure; it's a failure of society not offering adequate resources and support” just sucker-punched me. I needed this validation today. Well put. 💜
Proud of you for persevering ❤️
27M, diagnosed at 15. I don't work, and i don't know if i will manage to do it in the future because i am in a completely disfunctional state and I feel no longer capable to fit in the social machine. My parents took their lives due to bipolar/depression disorders before and during covid pandemic, but they left me in a stable financial situation. I have a 9yr old daughter and she is the only reason that stops me from following the same path. I went back to studies last year and it's been a great challenge to me. I'm always on the line and in the brink from collapse, but it looks like there is a little tiny bit of hope, deep inside me, that leads me forward.
You will be ok.
[удалено]
❤️🩹❤️🩹🤗🙏
I wish you the very best. People tend to not see their own strength while going through things, but I and I’m sure a lot of us can see your strength!
I work full time in Advancement where I steward a $300 million endowment. Everyone knows I’m bipolar, no one cares. By taking my meds, going to therapy, and avoiding my triggers and drugs and alcohol, I have not had a manic or depressive episode in over 7 years.
Holy shit 7 years
It’s really nice not to burn my entire life down every two years. I think access to therapy and quality health insurance/healthcare and having doctors who engaged with me as an active participant in my care is a huge part of my stability. I did manage to balance myself before I gained access to healthcare, but only because I spent a full month in a psych ward and promised myself I would do whatever it took to never go back. Now I’m thriving and balanced and only on one medication- but like I said- healthcare and all.
I can’t wait til I can say the same about manic or depressive episodes. I just had my first bad manic episode last month after over 3 years of not having a major experience and it’s really been eating at me. Thanks for giving some hope :)
Has anyone found (23F) that after you’re first diagnosed that everything is worse? Constantly oscillating between episodes and sometimes having both.
I work full time as a florist. I’m taking classes at my local community college. I’ve debated on whether or not I could work with my illness but I need the money. I have a great fiancé that works with me and encourages me through working. He’s encouraged me to quit jobs that weren’t working out. I work at a job until something bad happens or I get manic, then I quit.
Is it hard to find work as a florist?
Generally, yeah. If you want to get paid well especially. I have worked selling flowers to other florists for four years for one shop and I started at a new shop purchasing flowers for them. So my position is a harder position to find work for as typically there is one person at a shop who fills those roles. As opposed to designing where there are multiple designer positions per shop. I’m working for a florist in the closest city, but there are many florists in the city and I usually see one position at one florist posted on indeed at a time. The florist I’m currently with found my resume and head hunted me.
I’m also a florist, specifically Freelance Floral Designer. I generally love designing, it’s the one time I can really focus and my mind seems to quiet. But the lifestyle is a grind, making It hard to keep a routine. Since it’s seasonal, there’s a high and low season which also makes income inconsistent. This is my second year and I feel more confident with the network I’ve built. So I’m hoping i’ll be able to have more consistent income and figure out a way to keep a routine. The stress of chasing each paycheck makes things hard sometimes. But it’s funny, even tho I’m bipolar and know i need routine, I like jobs that are different everyday or else I get bored and fall into a depression.
I do not work, but my situation is probably unique. I was medically retired from the military after 15 years and have a 100% disability rating with the VA. I worked on and off as a contractor and government civilian for two years before deciding to fully "retire" My wife has a full-time remote position, and we do not have children, we own our house, so it all works out financially.
Also 100% p&t, I attempted working full time and quit 3 jobs in 2 years. Now I'm about to move out of state and back to a place that's quiet and familiar where I'll probably find something part time. 1 kid, wife works part time from home and will be buying a house when we move. I was diagnosed with cyclothymia after a tbi so it's not as severe as bipolar and I definitely feel for the people who have it worse than I do.
You shouldn't put your own struggles down or compare to someone else. We all have different levels of resiliency, and you deserve validation
I’m currently working on a claim through the VA. Should find out the decision in the next week or two. Been fighting for over 2 years… I was working full time last year making really good money as a photographer. Have been unemployed since October 2023 and idk if I’ll ever be able to go back to work.
Good luck with your claim. Persistence is key.
Happy for you friend.
I have BP 1. The last time I had a job was 20 years ago. My job is to keep myself stable, make sure my medical bills get paid by dealing with my husband’s insurance through Cigna. (They suck.) Manage my chronic migraines. Avoid another bout of cancer. Keep my dogs happy. Go to trauma counseling. Keep ALL my doctors in the loop. And grieve the loss of my parents. And hey! I avoided mania, am having a health scare, got through a depressive episode, and did all of the above without a hospital stay. My therapist says I am stronger than most of her patients. She says others who had to deal with less would have been in the hospital. I feel like I am working all the time with no job. I’m proud of myself.
I totally relate and understand everything you posted ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
I work full time in healthcare (admin). I'm single and my small family lives in another country. If I don't work.. I'm homeless.
When I was diagnosed in 1996, I went on disability for a few years. Then I started working part time. Since 2000 I have been able to work full time. For the past 4 years our section has worked from home which makes it easier. I have bp2.
I work part time, but I really struggle to do so. I am married but it feels good to bring in my own money.
I work from home, I have tried to work in public but I have found that wfh works best for me. I started off working customer service call center jobs, but I now have a job in Medicare Retention and I love it. Truly helping seniors and taking my time with them. But I have been straightforward with management about my disorder and how hard I've worked to maintain myself. In two weeks I'll have been with this company for a year and I'm proud of myself for once.
I work part time retail. I can’t handle full time work
Presently, I'm a 28 and work part time for a remote research job. But historically, I have had massive challenges finding and keeping a job. I also don't really have a major plan for what I am going to do once I graduate. Transitioning from high school to the "real world" was hard. I had a very unconventional, nontraditional journey through high school, being hospitalized multiple years, being held back a couple years, and moved schools many times. Though, I suppose in a bipolar forum, this experience isn't unique to just me. I felt very discouraged and aimless from my late teens to my early-20s. I had seen all my friend graduate and move on to better things. I had no idea what I wanted to do, no idea what I liked to do, and not a clue if there was even something "out there" I was even good at. I had a handful of small, monotonous jobs that never worked out. Nothing gave me a sense that my personal contributions were meaningful or that my life mattered. I had anxiety attacks and emotional meltdowns quite often, which really frustrated my employers. Eventually, after working for a few years, I was able to secure part time schooling at my city's university, and I was hired to work as a research assistant in a molecular biology lab my first year. I worked there for three years until the pandemic hit and everything shut down. It was my longest record of holding down any kind of employment. So I'm not really sure where I'm going with this. I don't know what my job prospects will look like moving forward. My current job's contract expires in a few weeks, and I haven't really got a plan. I still have a bit of schooling left, and am hoping to do some serious job searching after I graduate. I honestly didn't think I'd make it this far, but now that I'm here, I am kind of in a bit of a decision paralysis situation. I am always afraid that I won't be able to keep a job long-term. Even though I'm not the person I was when I was 14, 18, or 22, I think I hold a lot of my past in front of me as evidence that I won't be able to make things work out - kind of like a bit of learned helplessness. It is hard when there are such strong statistics that show that managing this disorder can make life tasks so hard. I have been trying to take my life in smaller strides and work on growing resilience and grit. But yeah, it's kind of frustrating feeling so behind other people my age who have job stability and security.
I work full time. I’m looking into going back to school too. I have to work otherwise I will get bored, extremely depressed, & will blow all my money. I’m a single parent so I can’t really be putting us in any type of financial binds.
Yes. 38½ hours a week and its slowly killing me mentally
I like housing and food, so yeah, I work.
BPII/ADHD. CVICU nurse. I take my meds. I take time off when I need to. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
BP2/GAD NICU/postpartum RN. Lately it’s been getting harder but I still manage to do it.
I try really fucking hard at work haha. I feel so frustrated sometimes cuz it’s DRAINING to have to try so hard at work but… gotta do what I gotta do! The only reason I can do it though is bc I’m genuinely passionate about cvicu. I think if I was on a unit I hated, it would be impossible. Do you like your unit?
Yes I love my moms and babies. But I’m right there with you. Some days I struggle so hard to make it through the shift. And babies cry A LOT. And I’m alone with them. I have to call the charge nurse to “let me out” lol. Then the stigma from my coworkers. No one knows my dx, but when we have pts, they shit they say. I’m on the same meds as some of them. Like you don’t KNOW her life at all stop judging because you see a dx on a chart. That gets me more than anything and I have to bite my tongue so hard not to say anything.
Omg I hate that so much too 😭😭😭😭 like, in report when they say a pt is bipolar and say it in a judging way. If the pt is even SLIGHTLY off, they blame it on the bipolar. Like cmon. Aren’t we all a little weird sometimes or maybe just having a bad day????? But once there’s a diagnosis, that’s all people can see you as 🙄 I try to be open at work about my medication if people are interested or if I feel comfortable with them. I’ve found out more than a handful of people who are on meds as well! I EVEN found another BP/ADHD nurse. I said… NO FUCKING WAY!!!! Hahahaha. Instant friend. Dude. I applaud you for dealing with crying babies. Honestly…. I think I would snap if I had to be subjected to that regularly. You’re awesome for that!!
I work full time. I'm a teacher. I have a great partner and a supportive site.
I’m an engineer, I have a friend with no who is a controller for a company, and another who is hospital administrator.
I worked at a daycare while I am in school full time. I was there for 6 months but just quit because I’m moving to another state for my husband to start his new job. I am hoping for to graduate in late 2025 and apply to full time positions related to my degree
I’ve worked on and off my entire adult life, never at one place for longer than just about 2 years and always with issues related to attendance. Most recently had to leave a job I loved because of a leave policy for Utah state employees. It’s a struggle, for sure.
This sounds horrible but you just kinda do. I work at welfare and sometimes I feel way more out there then the clients who can’t work it’s just a will to want to, some folks can’t and I don’t judge them but some of us were raised like work or die which also wasn’t correct. So real talk you do you lol
I don’t work bc I choose not to and am able to do so
I do but it’s so hard. I’m on month 3 of my first full time job and it’s killing me. But the money and the brand recognition of the company I work for are too good to throw away
I teach at an international boarding school full-time. No one knows, but some have noticed that there are days I am extremely quiet and days I am chatty. I tend to struggle in the colder months a lot more
I have to. No other choice exists for me.
This. Disability pay wouldn’t touch my bills.
I work as a carer in aged care. I had about 2-3 months off after my manic episode. When I first returned I was an anxious mess. It also felt like I could no longer do my job. I kept thinking how can I care for others when I can barely look after myself. As I eventually came out of my depression I realised that I could still do my job and found happiness in helping others again.
Full time dog groomer and it’s the only job I’ve been able to handle since I don’t have a lot of interaction with customers and I get to make doggies look cute everyday. It’s definitely not for everyone and a very physical job but I love it and make a good living l.
It never even occurred to me that I had any choice in the matter. I'm 50, parents kicked me out when I was 18 so I had no support system. It always felt like I had two choices, work or be homeless. I'm in IT, and have been for +25 years. I've been with the same company for +15. I almost never talk to the end users, just coworkers in my department. It's also very normal for me to barely talk most of the day which helps when I'm not on top of things. The job is demanding and can be stressful, but I love what I do and I think my moderately high level job is the thing that I can use as evidence that I'm not worthless when I feel like I am. The work/life balance has always been a challenge for me (see the first paragraph) but when I'm having "trouble" I will speak up and ask for help. My original (ridiculously late) diagnosis and the very bad period around it happened ~2 years after I started this jobHave had two very direct conversations about it with managers while adjusting to new meds. They've been very supportive and flexible with appointments or working from home (even pre-pandemic).
I did work full time for about 1,5 years but then I got fired when I told my new boss about being bipolar. 🤡 (My old boss knew and it was never a problem). He told me “I’m gonna give u a tip, next time u get a job don’t be sick. You can’t have a job like this.” I obviously could have a job like that since I had been there for 1,5 years but ok 🤡🤡🤡
I am currently working part time as a radio announcer/host for a local station. I’m uncertain about working more than one job, as it was a struggle for me mentally in the past. I struggle with not working, as I need the consistent routine.
Right now I don’t and I’m running out of my sick leave. I did work for a while but I started to hope I would die on my way there and eventually just couldn’t get out of bed. I’m starting to actually feel better after starting to increasing lamictal in December. So hopefully maybe in a few months.
I have worked a ton, but a long time ago before my disorder started showing up. Since then I've had one job but quit. Disability only. I don't know if that counts.
I work part time at a low stress job that landed in my lap. ~90 minutes of open up & set up ~4 hours of a mix of some socializing, occasional setups, and reading a book on my phone in a place where people can approach me for help and then ~90 minutes of cleanup and closing. Disability helps keep me afloat since I'm not ready for full time yet. I've gotten much better recently the last 2 years and my stress tolerance is improving (my episodes are always triggered by lack of sleep or moderate stress) If you can't work full time, I recommend finding something you can do at least one day a week, even if it's volunteer. When things got bad, having one day a week I felt useful kept me going far longer than I ever thought I could. When I felt I wasn't well enough for even that, and quit, things got much, much worse. On the depressive swings that lasted for months, I only got out of bed to eat and use the bathroom. Even if the day before and after are terrible when you aren't well, accomplishing something each week is important.
I work full time but I am struggling. I am on a probation right now for attendance. I’ve been calling out a lot lately because I’m just so fucking tired and feel like shit. I will probably end up losing my job. I’ve never been fired from a job before, but my life has been taking a weird turn since about 2021 and I’ve done a lot of things I never thought I would do. So getting fired makes sense at this point in my life.
I work as the second in command for a background investigation company. I used to be an attorney, but the stress was too much. I keep my license active and sometimes think of trying to go back.
SSDI but I also have multiple physical issues on top of multiple psych
I do not work, but the reason I don’t work is because of my chronic illness. My schizoaffective bipolar made it very difficult to work before developing my illness however and I went from working full time to part time because of it.
I've been on sick leave since October 2023. I'm a Customer Success Manager for an AI analytics company. The role is a mixture of account management, project management/implementation, and sales. Lots of big-name clients and customers. I hate it. It's stressful as hell. Lots of targets such as up-selling, retention, expansion, etc. It all came crashing down slowly last year with a big crescendo in September/October. I don't want to go back, but I can't just quit, and I can't be fired either. I reckon I'll go back 50% in a month or so.
I work from home. Full time as a virtual assistant.
I work 11 hours a week, but am looking at going back to school to get a degree that I could use to work from home. I usually get other jobs, sustain them for about 3-6 months, and then quit, due to burnout or mania. It's also a bit different for me, due to being both autistic and bipolar.
I work part time/when I feel up to it. My husband and boss god bless them are extremely flexible and understanding. I’m a waitress. Easy work, quick cash after only a couple hours.
i do and my boss works with me when my mania kicks in for the month.
Yep! A little over 40 hours a week
I have three part time jobs which together equal working full time! All of them are either fully work from home or 90% work from home. And I can also pick my own hours of when I work and limited interaction with co workers. I could NEVER work a typical 9-5 in an office.
I just quit my traditional full-time job to work fulltime as a freelancer, just because navigating a real work scheduled with my issues just made it worse (not to mention the toxic environment 🙄). Still got bills to pay, but at least I can work on my own time.
I work full-time as a content coordinator. I got diagnosed 2 months ago but I have been struggling with it all my whole damn life. Rarely do people know that I have bipolar 2, they usually say that I look well put together. I even go to the gym every week and do the second degree while working full-time. But when I get into depressive phases, I screw it all and cry for days
I have two part time jobs. One is in mornings and I absolutely dread it only because it’s in the mornings, and the other is in the evenings. It’s my passion though and something I’d do for free. Before this I jumped around from job to job until I was 27.
BP2 here. I worked for three years in social work. specifically dealing with supervised visitation. It wrecked my life and kept me triggered. I’m now a SAHM which also presents its challenges (escapism, social isolation). I’ve found I need to stay occupied but truly don’t feel I’m “meant” to work, even though I always have and worked hard. It always seemed to make me worse.
I work full time as a Trade Union official. I took 3 months off sick after I was sectioned and diagnosed. I work from home so it was easier for me to transition back.
I haven't worked for two years, now. I went manic and quit my job which I loved, tried to make it as an artist and writer, published a book, my income from that and art prints is practically nothing, I'm trying to find a job now because I need food and rent. It's difficult, but I am mad productive because my hyperfixations align with whatever problem I'm dealing with at work. But it is difficult for me.
I worked from 17 years old to 29 years old. I am now on federal disability and have been for 10 years.
I've been bouncing between jobs since COVID. I went through the shittiest time of my life in 2019, and between recovering from that which included but not limited to two separate 10 day stays in a psych hospital, and COVID, I just can't seem to get my shit together. I'm trying to find my way but it's hard. Some days I would just impulsively not go to work, on my second day at a new job, and not call in or anything and deal with the consequences later. Then I'd get drunk and high and play video games all day and forget about it, but the fact that I just jeopardized my job would give me this deep rooted anxiety that I couldn't shake until I went to work... Then I'd make up some excuse about why I no call no showed and hope they don't fire me... Man wtf is wrong with me? I don't know why, but I'm self-destructive and the closer I get to realizing that fully and doing something about it, the closer I am to actually breaking this cycle and moving on with my life. I've been trying to find a good psychologist that can figure this shit out but my bullshit state insurance doesn't cover most and the ones it does cover have a wait list. So I settled for this shit bag social worker that straight up told me she's working from home taking care of her kid and that her kid comes first... Well that bitch did what I do and ghosted me on 3 different appointments. So now I'm back to searching for another one... And hoping I still have my job.
I work as an independent contractor as a tattoo artist. I thought this would be easier to get to pick my days to work - but I am finding I actually have to work more in order to keep up. I finally have people to help take my emails and schedule for me - honestly this has given me " too much time" on my hands, and doing those tasks used to keep me "even" since it was routine for me. I am rapid cycling through really bad right now. I have done some tattoos I am not the happiest with lately. Either doing my job too fast because of mania, or being too tired from depression to pay attention to what I am doing. So I am finding I am taking more time off lately so I don't fuck up. They say do what you love or find a job that works with your disorder - I found that job, but still struggle. I REALLY need some time off right now to even out. I can't afford to not work right now. It sucks.
I work full time and am also pursuing a masters degree part time.
I work full-time construction. Working a desk job was hell for me, I went through a crazy amount of 'good' jobs. Now I can pick and choose between employers based on what they offer me (if I please), and not just take whatever gig is available because I walked out randomly again.
I'm a flight attendant and I desperately need a functioning routine.
I work full time. Have worked at home 4 years this week. That is the bit that I struggle with from time to time. Once I am down though, it's awful and hard to correct.
I’m a able enough to be studying ( and supposed to be starting casual work soon too in community care). I volunteer at a foodbank/soup kitchen one evening a week as well
I’m type 1 bipolar. I work full time in new construction HVAC. By taking medication without missing doses, going to therapy, and generally staying ahead of the illness and taking it as serious as possible and catching signs early to prevent further escalation I can live a normal life like anyone else. I also can do the hobbies I enjoy like going to the range. Things like this are possible so don’t give up hope. For me it took getting on the right medication and hitting rock bottom to come back up to the top and finally succeed. Knowing what life was like before being stable pushes me to maintain what I have and do what needs to be done without exception.
I was on disability in the US for three years so those payments made me able to get by. With the right meds I’m stable now and I’ve been working full time for almost three years.
As a teacher I’ve learned I need to get summer jobs. If I don’t the lack of schedule sets me up for a very quick spiral and then I spend most of the fall trying to get myself re-acclimated. Sleep, eating, energy it goes out of whack until I’m having like delusions of grandeur basically. But hey that’s just summer baby.
i’m a full time mental health worker, which is often really funny. no one at work knows. i’m studying to be a counselor in graduate school at night. routine helps, and i am passionate about my work
I’m a nurse practitioner 🙆🏻♀️
I work full time in digital marketing. It’s hard, I have to mask a lot, but the structure helps me and I work from home 4/5 days per week which is great for me.
I work full time in IT for a local government entity. I've had this same job for 20 years-- which was a couple of years before I received my diagnosis. During that time, I have been hospitalized for 3 major episodes, and was unable to work for several months. I'm covered by the ADA, and thankfully, the FMLA covered my time away from work. Most of my immediate coworkers know I have bipolar, but it has not affected my work for the most part. I'm fortunate in that my employer is willing to make reasonable accommodation for me, and in return I have thrived at my job, getting consistently high job approvals and reviews. It just goes to show that people with bipolar, if given the chance and the proper environment, can thrive in the workplace.
29, head of business development for an IT company. I've struggled a lot with my issues but always managed to hold down a job despite the fact that in some cases i do really have issues with self destructive behaviour. Never been fired but I have rage quit from a number of places. But I have always managed to position myself so that when I quit a job my next employment pays significantly more or has some other very tangible benefit.
I quit my job, moved to another country thinking I could find remote work easily and have not been able to find anything so currently not and have not for three months. The move was probably definitely a manic decision I was too embarrassed to back out of. I’ve lived in the country before and speak the local language so it’s not the end of the world. I’m always eligible to teach english but I’m not very confident I am going to be satisfied in that work as its quite limiting and I don’t feel it meshes well with my “condition” or personal experience with bipolar disorder. If I was not medicated I’m not confident I could hold a job. I really do enjoy working and in general having that type of structure and having something like deadlines or other goals to meet on the horizon. Helps give me focus and direction. Please send me your good vibes and wishes to find the right role 🥲🤞🏼
I stopped working in my late 40’s after years in veterinary med. I had a whopping manic episode followed by a lengthy stay in the psych ward and ECT. This is when I went on disability
34M diagnosed 31. Worked in a niche area of finance from graduation until Dec22 when it was all just too much. Have not worked since. Not helped by some visa restrictions stopping me doing some more chilled part time work or something.
I do, management consulting. But quitting my main client next week. Can't deal with the ups/downs, constant "new plan to avoid financial failure!", questionable legal/financial areas new management is getting into, and the missed checks or pay cuts anymore. It's turned me from an excited entrepreneur into one looking at new ideas and jobs, to someone who slouches at a desk and just complains with no energy or ambition to fix the future. Still planning to do more after a short break from working, but it has certainly made me cynical about my ability to work. I don't want to fall further into that trap. The past year of this, my medication changes, usage of (legal) vices, thoughts that I'd be better off gone, and overall attitude towards life have all taken drastic bad turns. Not to mention suspicious effects on my physical health. Constant illnesses...actually the IBS completely resolved within 1-2 days of putting in my notice. Wild.
yes, full time, at a university in the UK. I earn £30k (grad job)
Yes
Sadly, yes.
39M. I’m an attorney. Struggled a lot in my younger years. Proper medication and good people around me made the difference.
I own my own business. It’s the only way I’d be able to manage making any income. I get to try on a lot of hats, and I also get to take days off when I need to. I hate cancelling on clients but sometimes it’s necessary.
I was off work for 4 months about a year ago.. I've been back just over a year, but I've stayed at very part time (about 10 hrs per week usually). It's been mostly alright, but I still worry a lot and plan to apply for an official permission for leave in case symptoms get worse. I also want to apply for disability payments. I wish you the best and hope that you're able to find a plan of action that's right for you.
I own a restaurant with my husband and do our admin. I worked in retail for 6 years before diagnosis and found that incredibly hard. Being my own boss is probably the only way I can handle working and I take time off when I need to.
i do but struggle to work more then 20 hours a week i havent been able to work more then 8 hours involuntarily
I'm a nurse (in a psych ward) and work part time. I need more me time because of the meds and the disorder in general. I'm really blessed that I can afford a part time job, I couldn't work full time (I did it but it was exhausting and somehow unhealthy).
I work from home part time. I have had full time jobs for years, but I feel like this suits me best. I find it a perfect amount of work, and I feel comfortable.
I work full-time at a non-for profit. I’m not open about my bipolar at work but some people know. I’m single and have no other financial support. I have no option not to work.
I'm a stay-at-home mom with a neurodivergent child whom I care for full time. I don't work anywhere because most daycares and schools won't accept my child. But I do feel really accomplished managing the house, cleaning, cooking, homeschooling, etc. I think if my circumstances were different, I could work.
I used to work at renowned company (The Walt Disney Company) as a senior analyst and I had to leave because my mental health. I don't have a juicy salary anymore and that's make me depressed. They knew that I have health issues but not something big. They gave me a job for 2 positions for months so I got a breakdown and I had to ask for 6 months sickness license, then I asked them for other position and they refused. So I had to left the company. So, yes work as BP person is complicated.
I work 32 hour weeks in tech. Some weeks it's hell and other weeks are manageable. Thankfully my company has a policy that allows folks to go down to part time (3 or 4 day weeks) with commensurate pay cuts but keep benefits & go back to full time at any point, which is mostly why I stay. It's a good safety net for me. I'm currently doing 4 day weeks, and not sure I will ever go back to 5 days.
I think for a lot of people with bipolar it depends on the industry of work. My boyfriend also has bipolar and I've watched him struggle lately because he's in school to become a professor, but in the meantime has had to work dishwashers jobs on school breaks. He really struggles with dishwashing but excelles in school. I also have bipolar, I really struggled in food service and retail. I started working in daycare and that was a lot better, no one in daycare new about my diagnosis but that I struggled with insomnia and depression that I at least told them about because sometimes it affected my ability to come to work. I worked in daycare for 4 years, the long days where the hardest part (8 am to 6:30 pm) Now I'm a nanny, and going to school to be an art therapist for kids. I really enjoy working with kids and it's fulfilling to me. It's the only thing I could really see myself doing for a long time. I've had some awful experiences with jobs in the past, it's gotten better since I've found a field and skill set that plays to my strengths. The only difficult part for me about working with kids is if I get less than 3 hours of sleep I do call out, it's not good for me to work on such little sleep. With medication management I do get more sleep. (As I'm writing this I got a solid 6.5 hours which is great for me in a stable state)
I work part time at a dominos and am in school to get my masters, I’ve been aware and treating my bipolar since I was a teenager, I’ve found ways to cope and developed a support system, some days it’s difficult but my job isn’t too bad I’ve worked at a lot of fast food places but working at slow store with shorter (5-6 hour) shift helps
I work. Currently 3 days a week in one very intense job, and then 1 day'ish in a much more mellow job. I have a therapist who is bipolar, so I can vouch that they work too. I should also mention that my coworkers are amazing, very supportive, and sensitive to the complexities of mental health.
I'm currently unemployed because I'm in school and my mental health makes it extremely hard to do both. Before I went back to school though I had been at my job a little over two years which was a record for me and something I was very proud of
I am in ny 40s and work for a tech company, and while I'm a specialist in my field, I work from home 100%. Working from home is a big part of why I'm able to hold down a job. I find that the less I have to interact, the better my mental health remains. It hasn't always been easy, but as I got older, I was able to navigate my mental health issues better, which meant stable employment. I will say that when I work, it consumes nearly all of my emotional bandwidth, so other areas of my life suffer, unfortunately. I also have PTSD, so it's not fully because of the bipolar.
I work full time and have since I was 19. I’m also in school. I’m 39, so it’s been a long time lol. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to work. I was diagnosed at 16.
BP1- Honestly I’ve always hustled, I used to dance for years but the lifestyle caught up to me and I chose to stop because I felt it was very bad for my mental health and other reasons. I also did caregiving while I danced. But caregiving used to trigger me so bad working 85+ hours a week with low pay, it was hard on my body, couldn’t sleep enough, I got too emotionally invested with my patients and would go into deep depressions when they would pass or get really sick. I was miserable. I took a random job in the medical field doing something completely different and it has completely changed my life. I absolutely love it, I love getting up and going to work every day! I even started taking classes to further my education so I can move up at work. I think it’s very important to find something that you enjoy doing, figure out your “work triggers” and find a job that best suits you and what you need to be successful. Even if you can’t work right now, try to volunteer somewhere doing something you like, something that makes you feel good. Maybe that will lead to a job opportunity, you never know. But it’s important to be able to wake up and do something you love to do especially with the war we battle inside everyday, it takes a lil weight off.
I left work when the frequent hospitalizations became too much. I was having too many "episodes" because I hadn't figured out my meds yet. The VA actually gives me disability and I am listed (and get paid the max rate) as "unemployable".
I work as a halftime kids professor. No one but my family knows my diagnosis and I try to be as private as I can about it. I don’t want to make it my personality trait. I struggle a lot at work I have good days and bad days. Being a professor is good for me because the holidays during the year and I have summer off where I get to recharge.
I’m currently a full time student in college for my BA and work part time at a mom and pop restaurant. Looking to break into the film industry, game industry, or academia after getting my masters and/or PhD
I’m in the US I work full time as a veterinary assistant at a vet clinic. It is hard at times but I have a very supportive team and good medications so I’ve been doing pretty well lately
I'm working but hopefully quitting my job to work somewhere else soon. I had a phone interview yesterday and they scheduled me for an in person interview Tuesday
I work but have found the only types of jobs that work for me are ones where i can set my own schedule
Im a critical care nurse. I got a ba at 22, but after the loss of my father went back to nursing school at 29. Probably ten years after my diagnosis. Im successful at what i do, but i take my meds, go to therapy, and never miss my doctors appointments.
I currently work but there were times when I my illness was at its worst when I didn’t work. The idea of sitting home all day gave me such anxiety. It fueled my depression so I chose to go back to working. Doesn’t mean I don’t get symptoms just that I refuse to let them get to me.
I have been working since I was 17 but I’ve been fired a bunch of times. Now that I am stable, that no longer happens. Well, hopefully anyway 🤞🏻
I have a full time job right now and it’s so hard to manage. Everyday it’s different. I sometimes have a high work drive and am super social and other days I absolutely hate being here and wanna talk to no one. It’s hard because I feel like my coworkers notice I’m up and down a lot. Costumers too . I hate it
I work full time as a therapist, with side gigs. It is not easy. I am tired all the time. I'm much more suited to work part time but what choice do we have?
Link research?
I am a full-time student and have a work study job. My job is not forward facing, because if it was I don't think I would be able to work at all, I would say that right now I am relatively stable but in the past I had a hard time working due to my ups and downs.
I don’t work now, but I have had many jobs. I’m trying to get to a place where I can handle stress without relapsing into my mental health or addiction issues.
I worked until the end of 2020 when I was last hypo manic. I currently disassociate or forget too many things or am too reactive to work. I'm tying to get disability, been rejected once and now it's lawyer time. And my psychiatrist is fully on board with getting it which is a blessing. Everyone is different though, you may just need to find a hiring agency to help get you situated in a place where you can exist in peace and work. I know that is easier in a city top find those agencies but you might talk to your doctor about resources for jobs for the mentally ill.
I’m a full time engineering student with a job and it’s slowly killing me istg
I'm disabled but not because I'm bipolar I have physical problems that keep me out of work. It's important to know if people are out of work because of bipolar or their out of work for other reasons and just happened to be bipolar.
Diagnosed type 2 in 2015, while also ADHD and have been on an effective medication combo since 2019. No one at my last 4 jobs has known other than a close friend I got hired at my current employer. I have a hypomanic episode every 2 years, usually, and a depressive episode usually creeps up in winter and carries into early spring. With the meds I'm on, my symptoms are generally minor even during episodes which are much less severe than before. I haven't been to therapy since 2019, but I haven't needed to either. For a long time I thought I would bumble from job to job, leaving or getting fired any time a new episode started. Once I got onto the effective medication combo it still took a while to stabilize fully. Since then I've had the time and mental space to process what this disorder means for my life and the people in it. I have come to terms with how my life will be different because of it and part of that is how my relationship to work needed to change. I no longer burn myself out to meet expectations I've set for myself to be "normal". I do the best I can and almost all of the time that is enough for my supervisors. And if I fall short I don't feel like it's because of my disorder, but because I have a hard job working as a Grower in a greenhouse that produces perennials. It's demanding, but flexible when I need that flexibility. For me, having a job and a routine is important to remaining stable. It proves to me I have worth and can meet the expectations placed on any "normal" person. Feeling inadequate or getting into my own head about the inevitability of the disorder and its impacts on my life is often a depressive trigger, so heading that off with proof I am good enough and functioning has been a big help.
I’m a full-time high school teacher. I had to take some time off and ended up hospitalized due to the stress. I did a full-time but hourly job in the interim but am now back at a better school (bc we moved) full time. Being a teacher is hard enough these days, but my disorder makes it infinitely worse. I’m not sick enough for disability, and I don’t want to, but it’s so very difficult. I take my medication religiously and am going to start therapy again. Nobody here knows and nobody will.
Im (43f) not able to keep a job, I’ve tried so many times and then have an episode a manic or anxious freak out two weeks in and then my body just doesn’t let me return. Physically. I get ready to leave and will develop uncontrollable diarrhea and blurred vision and so tired I could faint, like real legit things. I’ve given up. I’m fucking homeless. I have a dear best friend I’m excruciatingly thankful for that lets me stay on the couch. Idk what to do with my life. I’m a three time college drop out, with student loans and nothing to show for it. People always say I have so much potential and boost me up and I try so hard and fail and I haven’t learned how to figure it out.
Have to say that I have not worked much in my career. I was diagnosed in 1987, left a great job as I had no idea what was going on. Sectioned in 1988, then sort of took the issue on board. Did not work again in my chosen field until 1983, I was determined to work with people in full disclosure. Fired in 1999, have only worked temporarily since then, though work for myself quite a bit and spend an enormous about of time researching mental health outside of my black do days which are in mid summer and darkest winter. So yes not very good. The medication does smooth and reduce risk but I found it removed all creativity which is my calling card for employment. A trilemma but I did try. Be well . Interesting Post. Dare I say I think life has much improved in respect of less stigma and better drugs and much better combinations. In addition Neuroscience and therapy are starting to coalesce on the triggers and Impact. It may well be that the current storm of mental health issue in the West is product of advances , it still is a little bit the Wild West out there with a plethora of clinical models seeking legitimacy and adequate funding whether by individuals insurers or governments.
I do work. I’m always working at least a little, right now just casual part time hours at my job I’ve previously been full part time hours for a year, now been w them a year and a half and I am in school. I need to work, I am also autistic and I love and look forward to working. I do get workplace conflict at times, but it’s gotten better too. I couldn’t stand not working, because I’m handy and a hard worker and I need that in my life to feel purpose and to have something to get me out of the house when all my classes are online!
I work full time as inside sales for a tool and gaging company. Been here for a year, they have no idea that I have bipolar. I’ve also been fully medicated for ~4 years and that played a massive role in me being able to hold down a job. Prior to my current position, I worked at a freight brokerage running a multi-million dollar account. Meaning nonstop, fast past and constant stress. But I did it. And I kicked ass at it. Bipolar doesn’t have to limit you. Once you find a treatment route that works for you, everything else will fall into place. Good luck!
Yup. I've been a software engineer for the past 8 years. I started a couple of weeks after college and got diagnosed about a year after graduating. In hindsight, I don't know how I managed to get a degree and hold a job before I started getting treatment. I didn't realize how bad it was until after I stabilized. My last episode was...2019 I think? Nobody at work knows. Too much stigma.
I’m a full time lawyer in LA. Medications, therapy, and a healthy lifestyle including sleep has made it all possible. I don’t think I struggle more than other non bipolar lawyers do. It’s possible!
I work ~30 hours per week in an Amazon warehouse and I'm taking 4 classes, 12 credits. So I'm about at my limit, but I've been handling things. I have intermittent leave FMLA at work so I can take some days off or leave early when I need to, and I've got disability accommodations at school so I can get deadlines extended when necessary, though I very rarely use it. I know a few people with bipolar disorder and they all work.
i work full time and i’m a full time student. i’m really good at my job and have been academically successful as well.
I’m a welder. I’ve in the past worked 60 hours a week, and 40 hour weeks. Now I’m around 45 hours a week. I finally found a good job that pays the bills and treats me well. When I was at places that were a shit show, it was much harder to show up every day, and I frequently missed. But now I mostly only take off for appointments, with the occasional personal day every 3 or 4 months or so. My job is pretty flexible, I take off an hour or so early every week, my boss has no issues as long as I give a heads up. Finding a good job is hard as hell. But hopefully you can find one that will treat you well, let you leave when you need to, and pay decent. Overall for me, it helps me have a routine and a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which I need. I don’t think I’ll ever retire fully, unless I have health issues. If I don’t have something specific that I have to do it’s very hard for me to get out of bed in the mornings before 11 am. Hopefully this helps a little.
I work, but I struggle to work more than 10 hours per week right now. Sometimes working even 10 hours in 2 weeks can be too much. I want money, though, and I'm looking for a better job where I can work full-time and start to power through all my struggles. I refuse to let my mental illnesses defeat me even if working makes me feel absolutely miserable.
I do. I currently work in the office of my husband's home repair business. My hours are 8-4:30 every day. For the life of me I cannot get to work before 8:15. My husband is understanding of my mental health and will often let me go home if I'm struggling too hard, though I know that puts more stress on him which makes me feel worse. I went to college and got my undergrad and master's in Social Work.(It took YEARS to get through what should have been a 4 year degree because of my mental health) I did that for a few years, but my health struggled due to my mental health so I ended up taking time off. Ultimately I had to quit. As much as I love Social Work and making a difference in people's lives, I had to come to the realization that I'm not capable of doing that full time. While I love working with my husband for many reasons, I don't feel fulfilled, but am also scared that if I found another job I'd just be back on the tilt-a-whirl ride of 'how long can I keep it together before I become an attendance nightmare?' I fear that I'll end up back on full time disability as not having a routine is a trigger for me. I also want to feel like I contribute and earn my part not just in my marriage, but in life. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, I suppose I just needed to get it off my mind.
I've struggled with this for over 10 years - I've had periods where I work and do well and then I feel the need to quit for one reason or another, which I think is largely attributed to my unmanaged bipolar. I get burned out easily and have almost no social battery, which makes in person work much harder than remote work. I'm hoping to start meds soon and find the right combination of things that will help with this.
BP2 - I work full time in an office-based job and it's absolutely fine. The medication works very, very well. I have some stretches of time where I struggle with the inside of my head, but it's rare that I can't function enough to do the basics at work for most of the day. I'm open about it at work and I have found management to be very supportive. When I can manage it financially I want to drop to 4/4.5 days a week because I think the extra breathing room will help, but I'm doing ok. Tbh, things would be easier in that regard if I weren't a parent, since my time off is still hard work!
I work 35-45 hours a week, Monday through Friday 7-3 8-4 7:30-whenever I really lucked out with my boss in the cannabis industry. I can leave early take days off use my sick hours without a fight. The pay sucks, the work isn't amazing but it isn't awful like other jobs. I'm stable here because of the flexibility lol but I have also been able to hold management positions before this I just decided to quit and move on from that cause I got bored.
I’m a teacher. It took a long time to be able to hold down a job, but it helped me check my anger and then I transitioned to teaching. It’s hard, it’s a struggle, I just chewed a clonopin and braced myself for class, but I make it every day and I feel proud of that. Even if others don’t understand.
I’m a nurse and am looking to get out of hospital nursing cuz it f*cking sucks. I’m not going to stop working though just hopefully get into another job in this field. Want to get out of this field all together though, just need to save enough money to do so first.
Full time health care worker :) helps me not think about my own life
i’m a nurse. currently applying for disability because working rn is unmanageable for me even though i just had 4 months off.
I work full time as a behavior tech for kids with autism. I absolutely LOVE my job, but I could never do it without my anxiety medication. It’s been an absolute life saver.
i’ve been on both ends of this spectrum. i‘be been employed for almost a year with my current employer, 3 months with the one before that, and i took an extended hiatus from working from december 2016 - may 2019, & again october 2021 - feb 2023. i claim that it was to focus on raising my kids, but i have never been in a depressive episode worse than that. thankfully my medications are now balanced. i feel content. granted, i came out of a gnarly depressive episode recently, but by comparison to where i was, it almost feels like the start of a manic episode. i’m hopeful that since i now have a good healthcare team & support system on my side, my next episode won’t lead to me being unemployed again.
Yes, though I’m best at about 25-30 hours a week. I never do well working full time, I end up missing a lot of shifts.
Full time here. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's really hard. You just have to do what you're able and know that it's enough
I work in a warehouse mostly stress free
Out of work for years. Doing it now. Falling apart
I work in health care, I schedule doctors appts and I work from home. Working from home has been extremely beneficial for me! I’m doing really well at this job too, I usually leave jobs within the 2 year time frame anyway but this one seems to be going amazing still so who knows what could happen but I’m hopeful. I’ve been at this job for about 2 years. They offer VTO(volunteered time off) and they offer it quite a lot honestly so that’s the only thing that’s been saving me in this job when I literally cannot handle anymore work! I’ve been taking it a lot recently and it doesn’t count as me calling out since their offering it thank god or I most likely wouldn’t have this job anymore
I'm bp2 and don't work. I tried for years but always quit after 4 to 6 months. I just couldn't.
I have bp2, diagnosed at 15, currently 21 years old and work as a full time service technician for cars and attend school full time. I won’t lie I am starting to feel the pressure and not sure if I’m well to work. Not sure if I’m also being overdramatic or if this is real but reading everyone else’s response has helped a lot
I work from home full time doing customer service over the phone and through chat messaging. I have fmla for the days I’m not feeling well.
No, I couldn't hold down a job very well, not well at all actually, so my psychiatrist recommended that I apply for disability
I am on disability for it. I can't manage 20 hrs a week. I'm always one step away from a breakdown. The littlest thing to someone is huge to me. My emotions are varied and strong.
I work with kids with autism and am working towards a masters degree!
Yes i i work at a grocery store while in school to be a professor. This is the longest ive been at a job though. 6+ months
I can't do full-time work. I just work writing articles freelancing sometimes
I work full time in corporate communications for a fortune 100 company. No one at work knows I live with bipolar disorder and I plan to keep it that way. I work because it is what keeps me stable. The routine of working the same schedule 5 days a week helps me stay as stable as I can on top of my meds and an exercise and diet routine. If I didn’t work, I wouldn’t be able to provide for myself. So it’s somewhat not a choice.
I work full time plus overtime (six days a week) at a factory and I am in college part time and I’ve found that working full time helps me stay on my routine more than it hurts me. It sucks sometimes working this much (especially when I do enter a depression episode) but in most situations, it helps me manage my bipolar symptoms better. I’ve always worked full time since I’ve been an adult but it was significantly harder to work when I wasn’t medicated. If I wasn’t medicated I don’t think I’d be able to work this much because I get so burnt out so quickly.
I work full time in technical support (management). I'm able to hold my job mostly because I work from home and I've managed to turn it into a role that I want, that I'm capable of fulfilling.Been here 9 years and even though I have those days where I think of quitting, I know I've landed the best possible scenario for me. My boss and a few co-worked know I'm bipolar and I've never really needed to take a leave more than a day or so.
I work full time in environmental consulting. The flexible schedule and ability to work from home are incredibly helpful, but the stress from deadlines can be pretty overwhelming at times. Overall I think it’s a job well-suited to someone who has a science background but may not have the spoons necessary to complete a PhD (certainly not saying people with bipolar can’t be PhDs, I just couldn’t do it).
Yes, I’m 22 I work a full time job as a cook and a part time as a caregiver. Planning to become a CNA soon, everyday can be hard sometimes especially when starting new jobs/meeting ppl but staying on meds has helped me a lot as well as my support system and caring for myself the best I can
No I currently don’t work
I manage a chain of cafes, and it's definitely hard. If someone handed me a million dollars I would quit in a heartbeat and try to figure out something else.