[sugahorse1]

Right, so I've not told any of my managers what I'm going through. I've only been here for 10 months, and 13 months ago was hospitalised and first diagnosed with depression. Only decently have my new p-doc and I decided it definitely appears more likely to be Bipolar.

I am 24 and live with my bf (37 years) of 4.5 years.
Just got an e-mail that work wants to send me to Cape Town beginning of May with a colleague for 3 days - we need to sort out issues in the warehouse. I stay in Durban - it's a 2 hour flight.

Now I'm VERY anxious about this. I do get on well with my colleague, so it's not that which bothers me. It's being away from my comfort zone of home, my bf, my horse, some close colleagues who know and understand, my computer (I'll only have my cellphone to sms and get onto the net)...

I've been to Cape Town a few times, once on business too. I just feel like I won't have my support structure there. And it'll mean staying in hotels, working with some Regional Executives and both myself and my colleague are "young", so I can kind of see us being told how it's going to be, as opposed to representing our division and making sure things happen as WE need them to be.

I really don't want to go, but I don't really see a way out of it.

[grizmom]

I don't work, so I'm not much help there, but I do understand being nervous about being away from home for that long. My family lives an hour away and my sister and I get on fairly well, but I still can only stand to be there for about a day and a half before I have to come back home. I always get nervous about it at Christmas because if we have a bad blizzard while I'm there I could be "stuck" there for a few days. I make sure I take along my meditation cd's, inspirational books, a journal, pictures of my cat (maybe that's silly but I miss her when I'm away), etc. Those are things I use to cope when I'm stressed so it helps to have them along. Will you be able to find out what the schedule will be like? Would it be normal working hours or will there be meetings set up or both? Would it help you at all to know exactly what the schedule will be like? Plus it might look good for you if you asked your boss about that...just make an off-hand comment about liking to know what to be prepared for or something. I hope you can work things out...take care!!

[sugahorse1]

I'll try and get a schedule, but assume it's not going to be too structured. We'll fly down first thing in the morning, grab a hire car and make our way there. We have the Regional Executives to meet there, then will spend most of the day in the warehouse, understanding their processes, how our systems are integrated, and try make suggestions for them to be efficient. We want the stock out ASAP and into the stores.

We may take a drive to one or two stores in the area, grab a bite for lunch, find our hotel in the evening and grab supper somewhere, before going off to bed. I've only gone away on one business trip like that, and seeing as I was with much more senior staff members, I just tagged along. Now we have 2 "Juniors" marching out there on their own.
Oh well, at least I have 2 weeks to get my head around it. Also meeting my p-doc next week or so - definitely before I go.
I usually travel with my iPod - at work it keeps me "controlled" during the day. And I really listen to a variety of music, from Christian, to 80s (Abba, queen...), classical vocal..

[Eloise42]

When I was first diagnosed my co-editor at the school newspaper tried to get me fired for being bipolar. My work and behavior were both fine, in fact because I was on mood stabilizers for the first time I was doing really well. She just had an ignorance-based prejudice. ANYWAY long story short I wound up getting a crash-course on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Just in case you don't already know this, Bipolar is covered under the ADA. You can't be fired for having a disability and you are actually entitled to "reasonable accommodations" in the workplace. Unfortunately that means disclosing your condition.

I know people who start work later because their morning drug hangover makes getting to the office impossible. When I was in school I explained to my teachers that sometimes I would need to walk out of class and calm down for a few minutes before coming back. If your work aggravates your mental health in a preventable way you have special rights.

Is there anything you can take with you on the trip that will make you feel more comfortable? Any/every little routine or ritual that can travel could really help when you are there.

[sugahorse1]

Thanks for your comments Eloise - I can totally relate to coming to work feeling "stoned". I run a few simple reports first thing, and that way I can ease myself into the day before my brain needs to work full capacity.

I often dash out the office and have a smoke outside (Kind of like you stepping out the classroom to unwind) as I feel I'm going to really lose my cool, and bitinh my tongue is definitely not a speciality of mine!

[questionable]

It's only three days, if you're stable now, not much can happen in three days unless you are some really rapid cycler.

[sugahorse1]

I do cycle very quickly. a day or two ago I could feel the wheels slowly coming off and yesterday I just cracked. Going to see doc today

[NuckingFutz]

You can also have access to PC on your phone...you can take us along!

[sugahorse1]

And I think you can rest assured that it will definitely be a lifeline for me!

[venusss]

Originally Posted by Eloise42

When I was first diagnosed my co-editor at the school newspaper tried to get me fired for being bipolar. My work and behavior were both fine, in fact because I was on mood stabilizers for the first time I was doing really well. She just had an ignorance-based prejudice. ANYWAY long story short I wound up getting a crash-course on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Just in case you don't already know this, Bipolar is covered under the ADA. You can't be fired for having a disability and you are actually entitled to "reasonable accommodations" in the workplace. Unfortunately that means disclosing your condition.

I know people who start work later because their morning drug hangover makes getting to the office impossible. When I was in school I explained to my teachers that sometimes I would need to walk out of class and calm down for a few minutes before coming back. If your work aggravates your mental health in a preventable way you have special rights.

Is there anything you can take with you on the trip that will make you feel more comfortable? Any/every little routine or ritual that can travel could really help when you are there.

I am not sure how things in the USA, but this seems it would work in fairytale land. In reality, you might get fired over a made-up reasons, because there are too many people who don't need accomodation. If you can tough it up, somehow, I think it is better not to disclose.

Sugahorse... think about it this way... it's only three days, you will not be alone. Research before hand about everything you may need (book hotel in advance too, if possible). You can even reward yourself... look at tripadvisor or some similar page and find some nice restaurant (sure there are some that are affordable for you)... or something.

[sugahorse1]

Venus - as far as I know, work pays for accommodation and food - If I were travelling with a more senior manager, they actually have work credit cards. Work sorts out the flights... I will be given a summary a day or 2 in advance telling me what time my flights are and at what hotel I'll be staying

[Eloise42]

[QUOTE=VenusHalley;1354062]I am not sure how things in the USA, but this seems it would work in fairytale land. In reality, you might get fired over a made-up reasons, because there are too many people who don't need accomodation. If you can tough it up, somehow, I think it is better not to disclose.

I actually looked up the ADA because my mother the labor organizer showed uncharacteristic restraint and muttered something about discrimination (normally she gets loud and righteous about this kind of thing). Once the Dean of students got wind of the situation everyone suddenly got worried that I might sue them (which I easily could have). An employer can give another reason for firing a person but the disability element would still leave them open to a possible lawsuit and/or depending on their visibility level, damage the reputation of the company.

[venusss]

[quote=Eloise42;1354813]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

I am not sure how things in the USA, but this seems it would work in fairytale land. In reality, you might get fired over a made-up reasons, because there are too many people who don't need accomodation. If you can tough it up, somehow, I think it is better not to disclose.

I actually looked up the ADA because my mother the labor organizer showed uncharacteristic restraint and muttered something about discrimination (normally she gets loud and righteous about this kind of thing). Once the Dean of students got wind of the situation everyone suddenly got worried that I might sue them (which I easily could have). An employer can give another reason for firing a person but the disability element would still leave them open to a possible lawsuit and/or depending on their visibility level, damage the reputation of the company.

Okay. Well, I live in the Ex-Eastern Bloc, so we're more socially darwinist here. And now the right wants to make it even more easy for employer to fire a person. On the other hand, I see their point, many small business cannot afford any mistakes... When you need something to be done (and ideally it should have been done yesterday) than any obstructions can be damaging to your company.

Btw, here you would get fired in many companies for coming late or being still intoxicated to work.

Sorry for the hijack.