[cocoabeans]

I know this is a bit of a stupid question. Yes, I know some people with bipolar disorder do end up on disability but, not worrying about extremes, for purposes of employment equity, should I or could I self declare as disabled?

Having bipolar disorder has certainly caused missed days at work, a crazy looking transcipt and made finishing my degree a long and nearly hopeless process but, disability? Hmm, some people might think so.

My doctor wanted me to go to disability services while I was in school but, I never felt right accepting it as disabled.

Then again, self declaring as disabled does help my job prospects if applying to gov jobs. Doesn't it?

[grandmaof3]

I don't know if you'd want to tell prospective employers that you are bipolar. Even though we're perfectly capable of doing our jobs people look at us funny.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by cocoabeans

I know this is a bit of a stupid question. Yes, I know some people with bipolar disorder do end up on disability but, not worrying about extremes, for purposes of employment equity, should I or could I self declare as disabled?

Having bipolar disorder has certainly caused missed days at work, a crazy looking transcipt and made finishing my degree a long and nearly hopeless process but, disability? Hmm, some people might think so.

My doctor wanted me to go to disability services while I was in school but, I never felt right accepting it as disabled.

Then again, self declaring as disabled does help my job prospects if applying to gov jobs. Doesn't it?

That was the first thing my parents asked when I was dx and no, it is not a disability. However, you should NEVER tell your future employers you are bipolar! It will stop you from getting the job because they will find another excuse not to hire you.

[cocoabeans]

Oh I know I wouldn't tell regular employers anything. Unless it gets me out of trouble, sort of like the last resort excuse that makes an inexperienced uneducated manager uncomfortable at your near minimum wage unionized job. Weird behavior then isn't you being high out of your mind at work, it is an illness . Good times. Got a great reference too haha.

[Rapunzel]

Mental illnesses are disabilities, but whether or not you are "disabled" depends on the context and the severity and your ability to compensate, etc. If you want to collect "disability" pay, you may have to prove that you are so disabled that you can't work, and even so, the amount that they pay depends on a baseline you have established on the basis of past earnings or sometimes on your parents' standard of living or other if you are a dependent. It can be a difficult process and can take years before you start getting disability income.

On the other hand, you may qualify for services that support you in being able to work, and mental illness is generally considered a "qualifying disability." For example, vocational rehabilitation may provide therapy, medical treatment, etc., as well as training, education - whatever they determine would help you with employment. In my state, there is a program where you can be on a list for priority hiring for state jobs. My understanding is that the employer isn't told what the qualifying disability is, but they know generally that people on that list qualify on the basis of a disability.

You need to be judicious about who you tell about having a disability, and about the context. Don't use it as an excuse - that perpetuates stigma and makes you look irresponsible. We need to show that we are willing to do what it takes to overcome our challenges and be responsible for what we do or don't do.

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by cocoabeans

I know this is a bit of a stupid question. Yes, I know some people with bipolar disorder do end up on disability but, not worrying about extremes, for purposes of employment equity, should I or could I self declare as disabled?

Having bipolar disorder has certainly caused missed days at work, a crazy looking transcipt and made finishing my degree a long and nearly hopeless process but, disability? Hmm, some people might think so.

My doctor wanted me to go to disability services while I was in school but, I never felt right accepting it as disabled.

Then again, self declaring as disabled does help my job prospects if applying to gov jobs. Doesn't it?

I guess it depends how much you value your career? Are you just looking for a job to pay the bills, or do you define yourself by your career?

Personally, I define myself by my career, so I would never tell employers that I'm disabled in any way. Not too many people want a disabled doctor, after all. Would you?

That being said, student services at my school does know I'm bipolar, although they found out because I didn't leave my apartment for 2 months in the summer, people got worried and contacted student services about me etc. I wouldn't have told them if I didn't have to. However, it is strictly confidential, and the rest of the school administration or professors have no idea about my situation. And I'm keeping it that way.

@cocoabeans - yes bipolar is a disability, but doesn't necessarily mean you are disabled. I declared my depression as a disability to my 1st Uni, and they couldn't care less with regards to additional support etc. It's supposed to make lecturers look move favourably on an extension request etc. Personally I tried to just get on with things as best as I could, but wading through the mud of depression meant that I ended up leaving the course. Maybe if they'd been more supportive I wouldn't have had to have done that? Who knows.

Some jobs in the UK with big reputable companies/Govt/NHS etc take you on because you tick their 'we employ so many disabled people' box. I would maybe hold off disclosing until you've got the job though, but then I've been burnt in the past. All the best with the job hunt!

@bipolarmedstudent - I was a medstudent in the UK, and telling my faculty about my depression was the worst thing I ever did, though I had no choice at the time. It painted a huge target on my back and I was always under scrutiny after that. Doctors (at my old Uni anyway) seem to think that they are above illness, that it is for 'lesser mortals' not them. Actually I found that having experience of being a patient made me a better medstudent and would've made me a great doctor. Instead I'm now going to use my talents where they're more appreciated! lol Just be careful of fitness to practise issues if something goes wrong, which fingers crossed it won't. At my place, not declaring an illness was classed as lacking insight into the way a student's behaviour could impact patients, which was dangerous. I got a slapped wrist for not declaring my depression sooner. Best of luck with the rest of your studies!

*Willow*

[mommyof2girls]

IMO .... I don't think that just because one has Bi Polar that automatically makes them disabled.....I feel that a lot of people abuse the system and just don't want to hold down a job......A lot of people use being Bi Polar as an excuse.....

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by WeepingWillow23

@bipolarmedstudent - I was a medstudent in the UK, and telling my faculty about my depression was the worst thing I ever did, though I had no choice at the time. It painted a huge target on my back and I was always under scrutiny after that. Doctors (at my old Uni anyway) seem to think that they are above illness, that it is for 'lesser mortals' not them. Actually I found that having experience of being a patient made me a better medstudent and would've made me a great doctor. Instead I'm now going to use my talents where they're more appreciated! lol Just be careful of fitness to practise issues if something goes wrong, which fingers crossed it won't. At my place, not declaring an illness was classed as lacking insight into the way a student's behaviour could impact patients, which was dangerous. I got a slapped wrist for not declaring my depression sooner. Best of luck with the rest of your studies!

*Willow*

Hi, so sorry about your experience.

I didn't tell my faculty. I told student services, which is like disability services. They are bound by confidentiality, and their purpose is to help students who have a physical or mental illness. They have actually been extermely understanding and helpful so far! They referred me to a new p-doc in town (my old p-doc was back home, so it was difficult for me to see her). And they are helping me to bend some rules to take academic leave next year to do a master's.

[Resident Bipolar]

It can be classed as one, yes - along with other mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, etc.) and mental "disabilities" such as aspergers syndrome, ADHD, etc.

[Anneinside]

Bipolar counts under ADA rules (US). I wouldn't tell them during the hiring process as you might not be hired. After you are working, you might want to tell Human Resources especially if you need some accommodations.

I had to tell HR when I was a professor at a university and needed a leave of absence. When I returned we made an accommodation plan: no early morning classes, no classes out of town, at least one online class if there were classes I was eligible to teach. When I returned I worked half time and didn't teach... I just had make work. The next semester I was assigned a 9am class, no online class and a class out of town. I lasted about 3 weeks before I had to go on leave again.

When I returned from the first leave, they required me to sign an agreement that I would not disclose my diagnosis or symptoms to any faculty, staff, or students. They said I couldn't come back if I didn't sign it. I talked to someone in ADA and they said although it was wrong, they don't get involved unless the action causes a loss of income. So if I hadn't signed it and hadn't been allowed to return to work then I would have had a case. Also you only have 9 months to put in a claim, I think.

[AniManiac]

I know bipolar is considered a disability in the US.

But I keep wondering if I should tick the box for job applications that I have a disability. You don't have to specify what the disability is; they use it as part of evidence for "diversity" of hiring.

I don't know whether that would be in my favor or not. I even suspect that the hiring committees might not see that information - it would only go to the higher-up administration.

[AniManiac]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

Bipolar counts under ADA rules (US). I wouldn't tell them during the hiring process as you might not be hired. After you are working, you might want to tell Human Resources especially if you need some accommodations.

I had to tell HR when I was a professor at a university and needed a leave of absence. When I returned we made an accommodation plan: no early morning classes, no classes out of town, at least one online class if there were classes I was eligible to teach. When I returned I worked half time and didn't teach... I just had make work. The next semester I was assigned a 9am class, no online class and a class out of town. I lasted about 3 weeks before I had to go on leave again.

When I returned from the first leave, they required me to sign an agreement that I would not disclose my diagnosis or symptoms to any faculty, staff, or students. They said I couldn't come back if I didn't sign it. I talked to someone in ADA and they said although it was wrong, they don't get involved unless the action causes a loss of income. So if I hadn't signed it and hadn't been allowed to return to work then I would have had a case. Also you only have 9 months to put in a claim, I think.

I'm looking for a faculty job (once my degree is done and postdoc is over) and I wondered about having to say something for an accommodation to not teach night classes. That's really important for my stability, because I can't mix evening classes with daytime meetings and keep myself together! My adviser says I can probably make that scheduling happen without making it an accommodation request, but I think that depends on the institutional environment...

[cocoabeans]

So, in regards to employment equity (checking off that disabled employee count), maybe I should when it is an organization who does that. Employers do hire persons with disability, women, minorities and aboriginal people to fill that quota. Same qualifications as the "normal white guy" pass him over for the disabled woman given she has the same qualifications and apptitude, that's two in the equity couunt!

[roads]

I didn't disclosed being bipolar at work because I thought it would be used against me. However, I work evening shifts. Had I been rescheduled one shift, required to also open at 7:30 am after a closing shift the night before, I couldn't do it. I can't make my meds work to accommodate that.

I would have had to tell them why I couldn't, that I was bipolar, and they would have to recognize that, given my disability, that schedule was one I could not reasonably be assigned.

I think it's completely right that I be accorded this, but I'm sure not going to give anyone ammo & leave it sitting, waiting to see whether I need it. They may imagine that I am deficient in all sort of way "because of my disability" before I've shown the slightest weakness! If I begin to fail, then I declare my disability and not a moment sooner.

That's my way, at least.

Roadie