[Hurre]

I wonder if there are any bipolar teachers out there? It would be nice if we could share our experiences with bipolar disorder at work in school. I've been diagnosed with bipolar type 2 quite recently, but I've noticed that being slightly wound up increases my creativity and I get lots of good ideas during this phase. However, the danger is of course that it escalates into fullblown hypomania, if I am not careful.

[wildflowerchild25]

I am a teacher at a special Ed school for behaviorally disordered kids. It's perfect because they tell me when I'm acting weird so I know when it's time to reign it in. I felt like I had a blast while manic but perhaps wasn't so productive as I could barely concentrate on lessons. When depressed though it becomes nearly impossible to work since the kids have such bad behavior issues. On those days I usually switch my lesson to something like a grammar worksheet so I can have some peace. What age do you teach?

[A Red Panda]

I'm a teacher too!

During my ups my students probably have a hard time keeping up with me - we'll end up with a bunch of different topics on the go and I'm likely to throw out a lesson on the whim to do whatever I just thought of. They tend to have a lot of fun during my ups.

In a depression they'll find that we do a lot more chill activities that are a bit quieter or peaceful, and low maintence for me.

They can usually point out to me when I'm in an up or a down though based on just little comments to me. Like at one point one of my students went "Ms, you haven't been singing or dancing around when the music is playing lately". Good observation from a 9 year old right? But it made me think, and I put in more effort over the next few days to do more high-energy activities with them even though I didn't really feel like I had that in me.

[anneo59]

reading all your comments makes me think of a younger self. Brings back lots of good memories, although some challenging. The best to you all, still out there. You do good work, and hang in there!

I teach high school. For the most part, my bipolar disorder doesn't impact my classroom. I'm very good at compartmentalizing and keeping my personal stuff out of the room when I'm with my students.

Now once the kids are out of the room, that is when it comes more into play. When depressed, I have to really push myself to stay on top of grading particularly. I teach AP English, so the grading load is huge, and depression makes focusing on reading essays very difficult.

I rarely get manic, and in a way, it is my grading and planning load that can push me into mania if I don't manage my spurts of grading energy. I've been known to grade 10 or more hours at a sitting which will send me into a manic episode almost without fail. I've become very disciplined about only allowing myself to sit and grade about an hour at a time. Breaks are vital for me and very effective in reducing episodes. Kind of like sleep hygiene is important for preventing bipolar episodes -- grading/planning hygiene is equally important for me.

[lawrenman]

I remember when my AP English teacher gave me a D.

She retired the next year.

I imagine I was one of her favorite pupils...not.

[bluemountains]

I teach fifth graders. I find that my bp doesn't cause much of a problem during school, just before and after. If I am depressed, I dread going in, but I am fine once I get there. I guess I have to put my game face on. Plus, teaching is an outlet of energy, both positive and negative, for me. Btw, most days I take klonopin before the beginning of the day just to contain myself.
Bluemountains

[A Red Panda]

Oh yeah, when I'm depressed I have to realllly drag my butt out of bed to head in to work. But I put on a happy face for the kids, and they are a great help in cheering me up.

Of course, they can also cause a huge amount of stress which might push me into a depression or an up.

They wouldn't be able to tell you that there were any problems with me though. They might notice that I'm more tired or not feeling well - but that is because I'll announce to them if I'm feeling sick or tired, because I like things to be transparent like that.

Originally Posted by lawrenman

I remember when my AP English teacher gave me a D.

She retired the next year.

I imagine I was one of her favorite pupils...not.

I had a string of elementary teachers retire the year after they taught me. But they were old! Don't think I can take credit. Wonderful old school type teachers though.

[turbulence]

I was an elementary teacher for 16 years. The bipolar finally got the best of me and I had to leave and go on disability.

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by Hurre

I've noticed that being slightly wound up increases my creativity and I get lots of good ideas during this phase. However, the danger is of course that it escalates into fullblown hypomania, if I am not careful.

I taught high school for 20 years before my BP I got the best of me & forced me to go on disability. When I was hypomanic I was a quite creative & entertaining teacher. The entertainment quotient sometimes got me in trouble with administration, unfortunately. There are always a few students who lack a sense of humor, or are just sticks in the mud; in any event my antics were reported to the principal a few times & I was written up.

I can also understand the horrible ways depression affected my teaching. I, too, taught English; when depressed that eternal stack of papers grew deeper & deeper...I'd often have to take a lot of time off due to depression & a lack of concentration.

[wildflowerchild25]

Yes, I wouldn't grade papers for weeks when depressed. Thankfully I only had twelve students per class so it wasn't so bad. I hope it doesn't happen again this year.

[Hurre]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

I am a teacher at a special Ed school for behaviorally disordered kids. It's perfect because they tell me when I'm acting weird so I know when it's time to reign it in. I felt like I had a blast while manic but perhaps wasn't so productive as I could barely concentrate on lessons. When depressed though it becomes nearly impossible to work since the kids have such bad behavior issues. On those days I usually switch my lesson to something like a grammar worksheet so I can have some peace. What age do you teach?

Well, I worked with 9 year olds up until I was diagnosed. I have been on sick leave since then. On Monday I will start teaching 10 year olds. Will be exciting to see how that goes

[A Red Panda]

9 and 10 year olds are some of the funnest

[middlepath]

Former teacher here (HS). I just moved to a different state that doesn't offer reciprocity so I will be an special ed. instructional assistant for awhile while i decide if i want to go back and get my credential in this state (or not).

I don't think my students ever had a clue I was BP, in fact, i think i appeared very stable oddly enough. However, so often it was just a game face and i was really white knuckling. I kind of feel like that about going through life though...you know...white knuckling it a lot of the time. Since i started taking meds i am feeling better. I am really hoping I will be a good instructional assistant and that the teacher I work with doesn't notice my issues. It is much easier to fool the students into thinking i am balanced than it is to fool another adult : ). Fingers crossed.

[TeacherwithBipolar]

Great to hear of more teachers out there with Bipolar! I'm secondary trained and the children are my main mood stabiliser! There is never a dull moment and the days go fast at the moment! I have a blog called teacherwithbipolar.blogspot.co.uk if you are interested. dito

[henrydavidtherobot]

I'm a TA and I facilitate a class. I've only had two classes so far, but I got pretty hurt over one of my students being rude to me last week. I had been feeling down and was really looking forward to teaching for the first time to raise my spirits.

[A Red Panda]

Originally Posted by henrydavidtherobot

I'm a TA and I facilitate a class. I've only had two classes so far, but I got pretty hurt over one of my students being rude to me last week. I had been feeling down and was really looking forward to teaching for the first time to raise my spirits.

I'm assuming you're TAing in a college? That makes it tough when they're rude because they're basically adults. Is it a first year class? Just remember that within the first few years, a lot of students in college STILL don't understand what the word "mature" means, and that they have never had to be responsible for themselves for. Not all mind you, but the ones who are going to be really rude likely don't understand those concepts.

When it comes to teens or younger... I just remember that they're kids and that they don't even view me as a fellow human being. I tend to thank kids when they say something rude or go "I'm sorry that you feel like that, but thank you for sharing with me." It validates whatever they're feeling... but doesn't give them the satisfaction of seeing if they've upset me.

[venusss]

I am getting teacher's licence right now.

Although I am more interested in global education programs or teaching adults in language courses (to fit within my prev education), so I wouldn't worry about the harm done. I mean, bipolar, bisexual, green-party-votin' chick who thinks pink leopard print or tie dye is appropriate attire is perfect one to teach about human rights and ecology, right?

[A Red Panda]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

I am getting teacher's licence right now.

Although I am more interested in global education programs or teaching adults in language courses (to fit within my prev education), so I wouldn't worry about the harm done. I mean, bipolar, bisexual, green-party-votin' chick who thinks pink leopard print or tie dye is appropriate attire is perfect one to teach about human rights and ecology, right?

Venus, you're going to ROCK!

[johnthorne1539]

I'm an adjunct professor teaching philosophy. I've noticed that when I'm down, I tend to think more slowly and let awkward silences kick in more often. I also start to panic a bit when I get off track.

When I'm moderately up, it's good. I get a good dialogue going, and the energy seems to be kinda infectious. When I'm too up, I run through things too quickly, or focus more on what I'm interested in rather than covering what's actually on the syllabus, and get frustrated that no one is keeping pace.

[A Red Panda]

Originally Posted by johnthorne1539

When I'm too up, I run through things too quickly, or focus more on what I'm interested in rather than covering what's actually on the syllabus, and get frustrated that no one is keeping pace.

Me too.... like a lot. When I read that I started laughing. My poor 9 year olds!