Does anyone else fel this way?

I can wake up get ready for work and then finish out the day there. It may be have @!#ed but I can do it. Then when I come home to my family I want to shut down and go into a room alone so I can avoid family issues. when I do this I don't feel bad until it is brought to my attention by those I love. Does anyone else do this?

Perhaps your work schedule and responsibilities are using up all you have to offer, all you are able to deal with for the day.

True but how do you balance bipolar with life and work?

I dont
I am currently unable to work because of my symptoms. As I've said before, I am newly diagnosed and the onset wasn't that long ago. I am still searching for the right medication cocktail. I'm hoping that what I am on now will continue to work and keep me stable because I do finally feel stable. I currently attend groups on Mondays and I will be starting 1 course in college in fall. We will see how that goes.

Regardless, I would suggest taking a step back from work, if you can. And by that, I don't mean quitting. I mean perhaps less hours or less responsibilty. To see if that helps alleviate the problem.

I hated having to quit my job. I absolutely loved it. i miss it to this day and continue to feel like a failure for not being able to have kept it. I also do recognize that there is no possible way I would have been able to keep it as my illness progressed. I am lucky to have quit before embarassing myself. lol ...

Even going to groups, I still need time to myself every day. Thats not a bad thing. But minimize it. I keep it to an hour. I go to my room and lay down, nap or read or play a videogame. But then I force myself to be a part of my family. It helps more than it hurts.

I can so totally relate, jaypop. When I was in the throes of my mixed episode this past winter, it took every bit of energy I possessed just to squeak through the day at work. It took so much out of me that there was nothing left for my family when I got home, and as soon as I could I'd get on the computer and under the headphones, so I could listen to my iTunes while zoning out in the various Internet forums I visit every day. Then it was bedtime, a few words of conversation between my husband and me, and lights out.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Anything you can do to get out of that vicious cycle would be worth it, whether it's meds, reducing work hours, finding a different therapist or pdoc, whatever it takes. Good luck......I've been there, done that and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Take care.

I've been told concentrate on my family, raise your son, getting better and try to attend two college classes. Then when those goals are met build your career. It's hard and poverty sucks but I'd rather poverty then breakdowns.

I completely understand, jaypop. I feel sick everyday when I go to work. I teach and I like my job when I'm there, but the apprehension I feel each morning is awful. Then I get home, and I have nothing left to give. I can't function as Mom. I am quitting work next year and hope to find something part-time. We have my husband's salary, but it will be tough to give mine up. I need to put my family first in line, though, because I haven't been able to do this for quite a while. It is sad when my children ask for my husband first when one is sick.
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