I literally need my "alone time" if I don't my bipolar just tries to take me out for a spin. I talked to my T about it , he said it perfectly normal for some people to need "more" than they think others do. Its whatever works for a person.

Since your just in the early stages of going back to work and its certainly upset your normal schedule I am not surprised that this is an issue right now , find things that your able to cut back on , for now.. Maybe once you get use to having more on your plate you can add things back in, or maybe you will realize that doing X actually wasn't something you enjoyed or actually needed in your life taking up time.

I do know that I sat down with my husband and explained to him that for me to feel healthy mentally I really do need time alone and it was nothing he was doing or not doing, it just is what it is. He's fine with it. I think he enjoys the fact that I am not needy like his first wife was she apparently demanded his attention all the time. I am not that way at all.

I know many people like "us" we just need that time.. I also have a childhood friend, I kid you not, she would wilt into a puddle if she had "alone time" she needs to be surrounded by spouse family and friends all the time. I am worried as her sons are in the last years of high school and I kinda expect her to have a meltdown when they go off to college.

Take care of yourself