I believe my job may have triggered a worsening of cycles and episodes for me. However I have been able to keep my teaching job so far. I am halfway through my second year. I am a master at pretending everything is ok, though. It was pretty much a requirement for me as a child. Even during my last manic episode when I was experiencing psychosis I managed to go to a concert with my sister In Law and her friends and they didn't suspect anything. But this was over the summer - I'm not sure how far I would have gotten if I was teaching. As it stands the depression got so severe over the summer that I lost my summer job - I just couldn't face going. I explained my situation but my boss didn't care and didn't invite me back to camp for this summer. Just as well.

I have missed a total of eight work days due to hospitalizations. I've never come out at work beyond admitting some depression and anxiety issues. When I am becoming depressed I usually adjust my lesson plans to include more individual work instead of high energy lessons. When I'm manic I keep a copy Of my plans in front of me so I can complete them, otherwise I get off task because I'm thinking too fast.

I think I get away wih more because I work in a private special ed school though...I'm worried that if I worked in a public school someone would catch on and fire me.