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Old May 26, 2011, 03:51 PM
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dragonfly2 dragonfly2 is offline
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Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: New England
Posts: 873
Hello, and welcome to PC.

You didn't mention where you were located, but it would be to your benefit to look into the disability laws in your country. If you are in the US, you are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This entitles you to workplace accommodations that your employer would have to make in order for you to effectively perform your duties. Accommodations can include things like altered work schedules, time off for appointments without having to make up the time, physical aids or adjustments in your workspace (like a light box during winter or darkening shades in summer for light-sensitive mood switches). You could claim accommodations for both the bipolar disorder and the ADHD (if it is still considered a diagnosis for you). Your therapist/pdoc can help you decide if something like this would be helpful for you to successfully return to work. It would require disclosing your illness to your employer, so that is a complicated decision to be made.

If you are not in the US, I'm sure there would be similar laws in your country that you could look into. As a manager, you may already be familiar with them and may have had to approve accommodations for your own employees.

Also, if you are in the US, don't forget that you are covered under FMLA for your leave of absence and that you are also protected under FMLA for any doctor's appointments you may need to go to for your illness. (Provided you have been with your employer for at least a year.)

I also agree with blueoctober about scaling back - try not to rush right into things and understand what your current limitations are. There are many successful people who manage a balanced life with bipolar disorder, despite bumps in the road now and then. Be gentle with yourself.
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I've been scattered I've been shattered
I've been knocked out of the race
But I'll get better
I feel your light upon my face

~Sting, Lithium Sunset