Quote:
Originally Posted by purpledaisy
It's easy to start feeling like, "What a relief! I finally know what's wrong with me. It's an illness. It's not my fault. Now I want to spread the word and help change the world and its attitude about bipolar! I'll start at work. I'm such a great person and a great worker that they will understand that I can't help this. It's an illness, I'm not bipolar on purpose, and I'm not trying to get attention. But there are laws and they will have to make accommodations for me, but they will be so willing to help me because they HAVE TO. Plus they know me and they'll carry me along the best they can. I'll be fine, so I'll be open and honest and disclose my illness."
Don't fall for it.
Sure there are laws and the ADA.
But why would they want to deal with us? They have enough going on with trying to keep companies going and keep "normal" employees on the right track.
Why would they want to give us a lighter workload? Or a quieter work area? Or more break time to get centered? Or time off to go to the doctor?
What will the "normal" employees say?
They can easily fire you and hang another reason on it other than bipolar.
Keep as much information to yourself as possible.
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This.
This. THIS!! ^^
You just described the first year after my diagnosis. I disclosed when I had a severe manic episode that I just could NOT hide, and scared the hell out of my co-workers. Then I got the bright idea that as an employee who was both bipolar and a registered nurse, I could educate everyone and serve as a shining example of a person who was living successfully with a mental illness.
Now I am sadder and wiser, because I painted myself into a corner by accepting the accommodations I was offered. Now when they decide to fire me because the facility can't pass its fourth state survey, they'll be able to say "Look, we gave her accommodations and she still can't do the job."
I will do my damnedest never to disclose to another employer, ever again. If I get sick, I get sick, and I'll deal with it if/when it happens.
__________________
DX: Bipolar 1
Anxiety
Tardive dyskinesia
Mild cognitive impairment
RX: Celexa 20 mg
Gabapentin 1200 mg
Geodon 40 mg AM, 60 mg PM
Klonopin 0.5 mg PRN
Lamictal 500 mg
Levothyroxine 125 mcg (rx'd for depression)
Trazodone 150 mg
Zyprexa 7.5 mg
Please come visit me @ http://bpnurse.com