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*Beth* · 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennyanydots

I'm just curious, are you no longer able to work due to bipolar? What became difficult to not be able to work?

I've been laid off 3 times and was on unemployment each time. During those times I became so depressed that I thought I would never be able to work again so I applied for SSDI twice during two different periods of depression. I was awarded SSDI both times first try (without a Lawyer) but I decided to work both times. i have very severe bipolar I so getting approved was not hard for me. I've been hospitalized over a dozen times in the past 10 years.

For me, working from home has helped me a lot to work while having bi polar.

No judgement on those that can't work, I was initially posting in regards to what jobs people do work while having bipolar. I've read that some jobs are better than others for people with bipolar.

Hi Jenny, First of all, I loved my job and I was an excellent employee. I was the night shift manager at a funky, indie cafe and felt like I really fit in there.

I was able to work only part-time because of delusions caused by severe anxiety that made it very difficult for me to be away from home. I don't think that was about BD as it was about trauma issues. The exception to that (PTSD) is med side-effects...i.e., cognitive difficulties (which have become a real problem) and other med side-effects.

So I've been approved for SSDI for BD, PTSD, for med issues, and for a physical reason. The job I worked at for so many years beat the heck out of my body. I have many chronic pain issues but specifically, I have had tears in my rotator cuff (shoulder) and in my achilles tendon. I had to have surgery for my achilles in May and it will take about a year before my achilles is healed enough to walk normally. But I would not be able to "do my usual work" anymore.