Greetings everyone, before I get to my problem, if I may, I would like to say a few words..... I have spent the last 6 years exhausting just about any and all avenues out there to try to figure out how to make my life work living with a terrible mental illness such as bipolar, aka manic depression.


My illness is a little different from Bipolar 1, or Bipolar 2 however. While those are just as equally devastating in their own right. I have spent thousands of hours not only researching career options that best fit someone with this illness, but also each aspect, or level, of this illness.


One such aspect of this illness is called Ultradian Cycling Bipolar. A deeper level of whats known as Rapid Cycling Bipolar. If memory serves me correctly, there are two other levels (don't quote me on this, as im not really here to prove what bipolar is, or is not) beyond Rapid Cycling. Ultradian being one of them.


Ultradian Cycling, unlike Rapid Cycling Bipolar – which a persons moods can swing (if memory serves, and again please don't quote me here) about 4 times in a year. Where as Ultradian Cycling, a person moods can swing several times in one day.



Which is what I have myself. I am writing this on the account im trying to find a legitimate career that will work well with someone with Ultradian Cycling Bipolar. I have been homeless a number of times due to this illness. Luckily now I do have a job. Yet, It is a dead end job though, and is going no where. Not to mention if my illness spikes on the job? Its bye bye job. Which I've lost a few job's due to that very same thing in the past.


Again, I am not here in an attempt to have anyone else try to figure my life out for me, as it has been said in other forums and such that I have posted am only asking for advice on what type or career, or vocation would be best suited for someone with my type of condition. It has also been said in the past that one shouldn't limit themselves due to having such an illness. Which is well said, however, not everyone is the same. And, this illness, regardless which aspect of it one may have, effects everyone differently. Or, that I should attempt to go to Vocational Rehabilitation. Yet, with what ive read on this, they are only interested in getting you into work. Not really caring about whether or not its a good fit, or if your able to keep the job


So while a celebrity may very well be bipolar, and able to make millions of dollars being an actor. I will say I am not able to do this myself. I am limited by this illness! As I cannot be around people for very long periods of time. I've also been diagnosed with Psychotic tendencies (in regards to hurting myself) PTSD, and Social Phobia. So being in a public atmosphere is somewhat conducive in my case.


The last counselor I went to see, I went mainly seeking his help in an attempt to help me find some type of career in which I could do within my ability to work. However, he limited me to more dead end jobs. A job is a job all the same. However, I view a career as something that is not so easily lost. Take my counselors career choice for instance.


I wouldn't think his job would be viewed as a dead end job, would you? All in all, I really just don't want to be a burden anymore in my life to anyone else, is what this all boils down to. I have been a burden in some fashion or another to either a family member, or a friend's in the past. As I am a burden on one of my family members even now. Seeking a career in which I will be able to be independent is important to me, as I will be able to take care of myself without any outside influence from those around me. I just cant seem to find one where Im not going to be around people for long periods of time, or I can do within my ability to work



So, that is ultimately why I am here writing this lengthy post. If there is no options out there as a career or a vocation, can someone please tell me what one is to be able to fend for themselves with such an illness?


Thank you all for taking the time to read this very long post. I did attempt to make is much shorter. Hope you all have a wonderful day. Take care

Wow. thanks for the info on ultra radian cycling. I swing every couple of weeks. I thought that was just rapid cycling. at least it makes sense with the name and all... lol.. ok. to the issue.

I have the same issues. that is why I am landskaperdan. I own a landscape company. and for a long time, it was just me out there, alone, doing all of the work. working alone. any career within the service industry you can work alone doing... and that sounds exactly what you are asking for.

it's pretty good money, doing the landscape. See... maintain a property once a week for four weeks and that property is 125 every month. do four a day, monday thru friday, and that's 2500 bucks in your wallet every month. and trust me, four a day you will be home by lunch once the properties are all caught up! just a thought for you, but it's good money and you can cry and be as depressed as you need to be without any interference from the outside world. you can also be as manic as you like, cuz that's just good for business..haha.

hope this helps!

["Tilly may"]

i have bpd too and mood changes rapidly throughout the day. I work in a hospital caring for other people. I focus on them all day and try not to focus on me. then when I get home its a struggle but i work on getting outside and walking, listen to ipod, do art, and play guitar.thats how i get through it.

[faerie_moon_x]

Hello, I also utlradian cycle, and am mixed. I cycle so fast it's sometimes impossible to tell if I cycled or if I'm mixed... it's fun... >.>

But, I'ma secretary and the reason I'm a secretary and not working at fast food or retail is because I went to a vocational school. I went to one that is for medical stuff like to become a medical assistant and so on. I went to be a "medical administrative assistant" becuase it had the shortest program and I needed to find a job as quickly as possible. If I could go back, I would maybe do radiology or something cool like that, but those were like 2 year programs and the program I went to was only 5 months.

They do train you to do a job. But like for my job it is kind of several different branches. I can do secretary or billing. I didn't think I would want to do billing but now I wish I had tried for that because I am not a good "face" because I am so disorganized. I have a good co-worker friend who is a biller and she has a lot of anxiety and stuff like me, but her job she is solid at. They are not on the phone constantly (which I hate) and their job is repetitive just doing data entry. I think that would be better for me. My job has large room for error.

I recommend vocational school but plan it out. I really couldn't plan it, I just really, really needed a job. But I've been at my job for 5 years now which is amazing. I was a major job hopper before. My longest job before this only lasted 6 months, but that was a job that was perfect for me and I wish I had kept it. But undiagnosed bipolar during what seems to be a major psychotic episode ruined it for me.

[usbusi]

Self employment can be good if you have a skill that is in demand.

[Trippin2.0]

I used to cycle between moods daily at one stage, and as confusing and frustrating as it was, I would imagine it easier to hold down a job compared to being depressed or manic for months, bcoz you know the 'switch' is just around the corner... ... Idk how often I cycle now though, every 2 weeks or so? I could never do it personally (zero self-discipline) but agree that self-employment looks like a good choice for you from this angle.

I would suggest vocational training even if you have to borrow the money to get it.

You need to be tested to learn where your best-suited skills are; for example, you may be gifted in mechanical things, or things involving color and design, or math skills.

Once you have training, you begin to work at a somewhat nominal salary, I would think, and work your way into ultimately owning a business, such as Landskaperdan has done, or buy into a mechanics business hoping to own controlling interest one day.

You may be surprised what skills you have after you learn the results of testing.

Whatever you decide to do, your best opportunity will lie in getting training for it first and knowing that you have to work your way up the ladder. The more education you have in your field, the better chance you have of financial growth and enjoyment in that line of work.

[Debi54]

Wow, thanks for the insight. I thought I was just rapid-cycling, but now I see there is something else. I go through mood changes like people go through underwear. No wonder I couldn't hold a job. I agree with the others who said self employment may be the way to go.

I hear you on the Vocational Rehabilitation. Yet, I’ve read a few things online here and there about Vocational Rehabilitation online. However, with what little I have read, I would be extremely worried that they would simply rush things in attempts to get me working again, without taking my condition into account.


I once told a public assistance rep that I had issues, and she went off telling me that she has family members, and knows others that have a lot the same issues I mentioned and were able to work. So if they can do it, why wouldn't I be able to?


I didn't say another word after she said all that, felt like there was no point. I went through all smiles and nodding of my head. Collected myself after the interview, left and never went back.


I get it that everyone is different with they're conditions and such. Where one person is able to work a steady job/ career and able to do it successfully, yet I cannot say that is me. I have been fired many times from the current job I have in the past.


Luckily my boss has always hired me back a few months down the line after things calmed down. Only reason I’ve been here as long as I have is due to the fact I’m able to hide away from people and not have to interact with them. Actually think to myself when people approach my booth, why are you walking this way? You better not be coming this way to talk to me. Darn it all, you are walking this way to talk to me. Go away damn it. Of course I don't say anything this to them, i just smile and go thru all the pleasantries


While V.R. Is a valid option indeed, I simply don’t believe I would be able to work just any type of job though. Stress, long hours, problems w/ coworkers just doesn’t work well w/ me. I really need to find some kind of career (valid career option, that is) that will work/ fit me. I have spent the last 6yrs doing endless Career Quiz's that fit you, and countless web searches on different career options of bipolar/ introverted people, yet in the end, it all really wouldn't work for someone with my type of illness.


Yet again, what works for most others, don’t, and wont work for me. I already know this. Been tried and proven in the past. To be quite honest, I feel completely and absolutely worthless. Often feel like becoming a stereo typical statistic, and just putting a gun in my mouth and ending it all.


I have been homeless 4 times due to this illness, and if life is that so darn harder being this ill, then what the F is the point? I am either going to be a burden on others in my life, or be around people who don’t understand me, or want to avoid me and ignore/ treat me like dirt. No one wants to live like this! Not even the mentally ill!!

[Odee]

My first thought was "accounting." Do you like to do math? I guess something along the lines of database entry could work as well. I think these jobs would require at least a bachelor's degree or some information tech training.