[sburn]

This is my first post, I have recently been diagnosed with rapid cycle bipolar disorder.

I have been treated with Anti-depressents and anxiety meds for the last 3 years and have been diagnosed with severe adhd. I am working to wrap my mind around going back to work (I am a manager for a fortune 5 company). Since being pulled off anti-depressents and anxiety meds and starting the bipolar meds I seem to be all over the place. I realize I have a long road ahead of me, but wondering what others have experianced

[blueoctober]

Welcome sburn. I was put on medical leave for 8months from my job when I was first diagnosed. This had a lot to do with me letting my symptoms get really bad before I sought help (I was committed after a suicide attempt). My experience was it did take time for the meds to start working and level me out, but I'm now back to the same position that I was in prior to my leave (Inspector with the Gaming and Liquor Commission). I remember thinking that I'd never be able to go back to my job. I've been back since 2008 and haven't been on any leave since then.

It's taken a lot of work on my part. I go to therapy, take my meds as prescribed, workout, eat properly, no alcohol, therapy etc. etc. You may have to scale back what you expect from yourself, but it's more important to have a balanced life. This is for anyone diagnosed with bipolar or not.

[ladyjrnlist]

It has been almost two years for me and I am still doing a balancing act. But, it is getting better. I am preparing to take on a part time job while I carry on with getting my master's degree.
Therapy is crucial, in my opinion. The meds can sometimes let you down if you rely on them too much.

Originally Posted by sburn

This is my first post, I have recently been diagnosed with rapid cycle bipolar disorder.

I have been treated with Anti-depressents and anxiety meds for the last 3 years and have been diagnosed with severe adhd. I am working to wrap my mind around going back to work (I am a manager for a fortune 5 company). Since being pulled off anti-depressents and anxiety meds and starting the bipolar meds I seem to be all over the place. I realize I have a long road ahead of me, but wondering what others have experianced

Welcome,sburn!
How long have you been on a mood stabilizer? Often they will take awhile to be effective, so that may be part of the issue. I too was treated for about 3 years on ADs and anxiety meds (w/o mood stabilizer - I was misdiagnosed by a GP) They messed me up big time. Soooo, before going on a mood stabilizer, my symtoms returned (albeit less messed up than on ADs, yet still effected by the residual increased and more intense cycling the solo ADs had produced), that is to say, like you say, "all over the place". Once the mood stabilizer was titrated to effective (at the time) levels, the "all over the place" evened out substantially.

I can really relate to your post. Except, by a mile, the job part(!) Mine were stressful minimum wage jobs. Still, stress, regardless of source, tends to exacerbate issues and that may be contributing to the switchover challenges. Sounds like you are on a leave, and that should be helpful in the transistion time of med changes and coming to terms with the dx.

Wishing you well in this. Please keep us posted, ok, sburn? . This is a very supportive place where there are always many that can relate to what you are going through, so take heart in that.

[dragonfly2]

Hello, and welcome to PC.

You didn't mention where you were located, but it would be to your benefit to look into the disability laws in your country. If you are in the US, you are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This entitles you to workplace accommodations that your employer would have to make in order for you to effectively perform your duties. Accommodations can include things like altered work schedules, time off for appointments without having to make up the time, physical aids or adjustments in your workspace (like a light box during winter or darkening shades in summer for light-sensitive mood switches). You could claim accommodations for both the bipolar disorder and the ADHD (if it is still considered a diagnosis for you). Your therapist/pdoc can help you decide if something like this would be helpful for you to successfully return to work. It would require disclosing your illness to your employer, so that is a complicated decision to be made.

If you are not in the US, I'm sure there would be similar laws in your country that you could look into. As a manager, you may already be familiar with them and may have had to approve accommodations for your own employees.

Also, if you are in the US, don't forget that you are covered under FMLA for your leave of absence and that you are also protected under FMLA for any doctor's appointments you may need to go to for your illness. (Provided you have been with your employer for at least a year.)

I also agree with blueoctober about scaling back - try not to rush right into things and understand what your current limitations are. There are many successful people who manage a balanced life with bipolar disorder, despite bumps in the road now and then. Be gentle with yourself.

Hey Sburn and welcome - I was working for super large major company, also Fortune 50 - usually they are a bit more understanding with things like this. If you can, take a bit of personal time to adjust to the meds - either sick or short term disability (I'm guessing you are in the US) You wouldn't believe who else around you is also dx with these types of things - i know at my old job one girl with BP just got promoted again...get used to your meds and adjust your life and schedule to work for you.
Feel free to PM me if you need to talk.

[jack123]

It is difficult when you are out of work. It is difficult to keep your confidence up when you aren't able to do what you were doing. I stayed out of work for 2 months. It has been hard transitioning back into work. I work in the health related field. It is not as understanding a field as you would think when you have a disorder. Mental illness is hard for others to understand no matter what field you work in. I wish you luck.

[cheeri]

I am a huge corporate america player myself. There is NO way I would tell my employer!!!!!! No special accomodations! Just stay in therapy, stay on here, and stay strong. Think of managing your bp as another task associated with your profession. Be proactive, and you should be fine. Oh yea, get in the gym and eat well. Anything to stay balanced!

[Direction]

How long have you been off of work at your current company?

[Polly23]

Woah...very similar situation for me....diagnosis wise. I love this forum.
It can be tricky finding the right meds, but even though I still talk myself out of them sometimes, they are crucial. Also as was suggested is therapy, but that may be hard to find too. I mean, someone who can actually bring you through and give you some tools to use. I just went on a leave from work recently and I am really struggling with that, so my friends tell me that is a reason not to rush back. I have a hard time being home, feel anxious that I am not productive, however, realize that this is time for myself to heal, just as though I had another major illness. Just be kind to yourself, and time helps.