So I am not bipolar, but I have had PTSD episodes at work and I can speak about the shame of having an episode...My experience was very unfortunate. I had a flashback, became unable to function really. I went to HR and explained, and, as had been allowed the minimal times this happened in the past, since my disability was documented with them, said I was going to use sick time to go home for the rest of the day (which was only an hour). I was supposed to be in a meeting during that last hour, but I was barely functioning and barely able to speak so I also explained that to HR then left.

I got a reprimand from my boss for "walking off the job," which was not what happened. I discussed with HR what was going on and got approval to go home. I eventually was fired from the position and now have a lawsuit in process due to discrimination.

So regarding the shame: I wasn't so much embarrassed about what happened as worried that the person who I was meeting with at the time of the flashback would think that it had something to do with them or that I was merely being a jerk or rude or something. I sent her an email, because saying it in person is very difficult, and explained what happened, including explaining what happens to a person during a flashback, and how they aren't responding to their real surroundings but imagined surroundings. She seemed very understanding. Later she fired me. So, maybe she wasn't super understanding after all.

I would try not to feel embarrassed about it. It's not your fault. You can't control it. You can do things to cope with it, but controlling it is like saying you can control when someone has a seizure. If someone is shaming you for it, then they aren't a person whose opinion matters anyway.

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