[r010159]

Hello all!

I am seriously contemplating finding a job. The income would be very useful to me, and this would allow me to be more productive in my life. I think the start of looking for a job may turn out to be like jumping in a dark pool of water just to hit a rock or the bottom of the well...IOW fear of the unknown. Its been several years since I had my last job which I was fired from because I was unreliable due to my mood swings.

Is anyone else looking for a job? Maybe we can work together in supporting each others efforts. Is anyone holding down a job that they recently found? Perhaps the first they have had after a long hiatus? I am interested in what the job search was like and how they manage BP in their new job.

[Yoda]

Yes, I haven't worked since Sept 1999. On disability for ptsd/bipolar since 2000.

I have been working on my resume but it needs some work still. I called my last manager and she said she would be a reference.

I am going to tell them I am on disability because SSDI will only allow me to make $720/month before it affects my SSDI so I will only work part time. I don't plan to give a lot of information about my diagnosis though, just let them know I believe I am competent to work again and my doc agrees.

[outlaw sammy]

I too have begun my search for part-time employment. I haven't worked since 1997 when my BP1 symptoms got so bad that I couldn't maintain a rational/reasonable and organized method of handling the work load. Then, after that, my situation grew far worse with problems with the law. BUT then in December of 2012, my new pdoc introduced me to the wonderful world of lithium and all my symptoms disappeared completely. I've waited this long to be sure it wasn't a "false negative." Now, after a year and a half of absolutely no BP problems, I'm ready to do something other than be forcibly retired. I've even started dating again - and it's like a new rebirth! Still, I warn everyone that I'm a BP1. It's just a precaution to let others know in advance that I could have an episode, that it can be treated, and that I'll return to my naturally charming and engaging self in short order. I'm not going to hide my condition from anyone - and the two women that I'm seeing were told on our first date that I have this condition - but I believe they admired my honesty. And I believe my prospective employers will too.

[r010159]

Originally Posted by outlaw sammy

I too have begun my search for part-time employment. I haven't worked since 1997 when my BP1 symptoms got so bad that I couldn't maintain a rational/reasonable and organized method of handling the work load. Then, after that, my situation grew far worse with problems with the law. BUT then in December of 2012, my new pdoc introduced me to the wonderful world of lithium and all my symptoms disappeared completely. I've waited this long to be sure it wasn't a "false negative." Now, after a year and a half of absolutely no BP problems, I'm ready to do something other than be forcibly retired. I've even started dating again - and it's like a new rebirth! Still, I warn everyone that I'm a BP1. It's just a precaution to let others know in advance that I could have an episode, that it can be treated, and that I'll return to my naturally charming and engaging self in short order. I'm not going to hide my condition from anyone - and the two women that I'm seeing were told on our first date that I have this condition - but I believe they admired my honesty. And I believe my prospective employers will too.

It looks like you have things together. It will be very difficult to tell others that I have BP, especially on a first date. I have also waited to see if my successes were false negatives. They were. But I am very hopeful now.

[jesusplay]

I'm waiting to hear from social security. Some days I feel like I can work, most day I don't.

[grandmaof3]

I lost my job last year. It took my 3 months to find a new job. I waited until my second interview to tell my prospective employer that I was bipolar. I told them my symptoms were for the most part controlled by my meds.It also helped that my pdoc wrote me a reference letter. Ive managed to keep that job for the last 10 months. I have had to miss work a few times but I have always been lucky enough to get someone to cover for me so I haven't put them in a bind with my absence. My pdoc has told me that I would certainly qualify for disability but he suggests that to keep working would be better for me and help me feel good about myself and productive. Also I cant afford to live on disability. My husband is self employed and we have our health insurance through my work. PLus the money really comes in handy because when I am manic I tend to spend every dime that I have. My husband keeps a separate bank account that I cant get into so we will have money for our bills.

[outlaw sammy]

Originally Posted by grandmaof3

I lost my job last year. It took my 3 months to find a new job. I waited until my second interview to tell my prospective employer that I was bipolar. I told them my symptoms were for the most part controlled by my meds.It also helped that my pdoc wrote me a reference letter. Ive managed to keep that job for the last 10 months. I have had to miss work a few times but I have always been lucky enough to get someone to cover for me so I haven't put them in a bind with my absence. My pdoc has told me that I would certainly qualify for disability but he suggests that to keep working would be better for me and help me feel good about myself and productive. Also I cant afford to live on disability. My husband is self employed and we have our health insurance through my work. PLus the money really comes in handy because when I am manic I tend to spend every dime that I have. My husband keeps a separate bank account that I cant get into so we will have money for our bills.

I really appreciate your truthfulness. It's too easy to pretend that everything will be fine and to shy away from telling others about your BP condition, but when an episode comes, it's so gratifying to know that support is there for you. My best friend has BP2, and besides the U.S. Air Force, I'm the only one that knows. As hard as it is to believe, his employers, other friends, wife, relatives, and all associates don't know about his illness. He's afraid of prejudice and segregation. Who's right?

I would much rather have a girlfriend (and employer) who knows the truth up front, then to have her dump me later because I wasn't honest with her or she can't handle the occasional symptoms. My ex-wife, who herself is a mental health professional (MSW), never forgave me for marrying her without telling her that something wasn't quite right in paradise. She said that the reason she was divorcing me (3/15/13) was because "I cannot tolerate your bipolar symptoms anymore." I'm doing things differently from now on.