Going back to work

So I was laid off a little over a year ago when I was overmedicated, depressed and feeling like a piece of **** so wasn't feeling confident about working again. I got off Abilify which was causing the overmedication about 8 months ago and having been dealing with the fallout of a bad manic attack I had almost 4 years ago that involved divorce, a custody battle, losing my job, losing friends and family. I've been fortunate to meet an amazing man that knows the whole story and has helped me get through some tough times with processing the trauma of the manic attack, etc. and I'm feeling confident about myself and about going back to work.

I'm well educated and have been successful in the various jobs I've had, teaching and sales, so luckily I have a lot of good things on my resume and some good references. While on my road to recovery, I've read a bunch of material and one of them is the Bipolar Workbook. They had a place to evaluate your ups and downs, etc. and it seems like I have had more ups and downs with my sales career. My old therapist thought that the job might be too stressful for me and suggested I talk to my pdoc about it. I did mention it, but he didn't see too concerned, but I only started working with him since my bad manic attack and he is not familar with my work history and patterns. Obviously my health and keeping 50% custody of my son in the most important, but the money I make in sales is very lucrative and would definitely help with me getting a new house and providing for my son without my wealthy ex husbands help.

I am working with a career counselor at my Alma Mater and she didn't feel that a work gap would have any adverse affects of finding a job even in this economy so I'm hopeful. I didn't tell her the whole background about my bipolar as I'm afraid of the stigma, but did explain that I had some life events and depression issues. I've met with her once so far and will meet with her again this week so more shall be revealed. I did love teaching but don't feel that it is a realistic profession to go back into because of the cost of living in Northern California and being a single parent now so leaning toward the sales, but will look into other professions too while I'm doing all the analyzing with the counselor.

I have started going to a Bipolar support group and it does seem that we Bipolars seem to have issues with working. Any words of wisdom or advice would be greatly appreciated.

You have a difficult choice. One of the things you can do is write out a list of the pros and cons of going back into sales vs going back into teaching (or a different field). Or, does your gut-level intuition lead you in one direction or the other?
I am heading back to my job in one week after being out for a month. I was just diagnosed with bipolar disorder and hospitalized for 2 of the weeks. I'm a little nervous about returning to work, explaining why I have been out to my coworkers and clients, and trying to keep gains I've made when I blend work into the mix. So , I can empathize with you. Good luck with your decision.

I think it's a great idea to work with a career counselor.

In 2007 I was hospitalized for 6 weeks where I received my BP diagnosis. After 8 months of medical leave I did go back to my career (I'm an Inspector with the Gaming and Liquor Commission). I was really concerned about going back and was worried that my job was triggering me. I've been back since 2008; haven't had to take any medical leave and I'm doing very well in my career. I'm a firm believer that with the right meds, excellent self care (eating well, exercising etc) many of us with BP can do very well in the work world. Yes it can be a struggle at times, but I feel my career helps me stay stable. It helps for me to stay on a schedule and too much time on my hands isn't healthy for me.

My suggestion is to give it a try. We sometimes need to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone.

I just posted something similar in a different place on here - it's hard, especially if you've been in sales, you get used to pushing yourself, making good money, but sometimes it's that drive that also can push you over the edge - we have to be careful to take care of US first, so that we can stay employed. I'm trying to figure that out right now myself.

Good luck with the career counselor!