So I was laid off a little over a year ago when I was overmedicated, depressed and feeling like a piece of **** so wasn't feeling confident about working again. I got off Abilify which was causing the overmedication about 8 months ago and having been dealing with the fallout of a bad manic attack I had almost 4 years ago that involved divorce, a custody battle, losing my job, losing friends and family. I've been fortunate to meet an amazing man that knows the whole story and has helped me get through some tough times with processing the trauma of the manic attack, etc. and I'm feeling confident about myself and about going back to work.

I'm well educated and have been successful in the various jobs I've had, teaching and sales, so luckily I have a lot of good things on my resume and some good references. While on my road to recovery, I've read a bunch of material and one of them is the Bipolar Workbook. They had a place to evaluate your ups and downs, etc. and it seems like I have had more ups and downs with my sales career. My old therapist thought that the job might be too stressful for me and suggested I talk to my pdoc about it. I did mention it, but he didn't see too concerned, but I only started working with him since my bad manic attack and he is not familar with my work history and patterns. Obviously my health and keeping 50% custody of my son in the most important, but the money I make in sales is very lucrative and would definitely help with me getting a new house and providing for my son without my wealthy ex husbands help.

I am working with a career counselor at my Alma Mater and she didn't feel that a work gap would have any adverse affects of finding a job even in this economy so I'm hopeful. I didn't tell her the whole background about my bipolar as I'm afraid of the stigma, but did explain that I had some life events and depression issues. I've met with her once so far and will meet with her again this week so more shall be revealed. I did love teaching but don't feel that it is a realistic profession to go back into because of the cost of living in Northern California and being a single parent now so leaning toward the sales, but will look into other professions too while I'm doing all the analyzing with the counselor.

I have started going to a Bipolar support group and it does seem that we Bipolars seem to have issues with working. Any words of wisdom or advice would be greatly appreciated.