[earthangel1]

Recently, I have been through 4 jobs in the last year, neither of them I have lasted more than one week because I get super depressed or paranoid. I am only living off of the little trust fund money I have. Does anyone else have this problem? How hard is it to hold a job with bipolar?

[sideblinded]

(((bpenniman)))

I understand this trouble as I am not sure if I have bipolar but I have had numerous job changes during my life. Sometimes I only lasted 3 days, some 4 weeks, some only months. I went out of my career so many times it ruined my work history. I understand your frustration here. It is really hard and it messes with my self esteem as well. I don't know how to make you feel better about it except to keep seeking help through counseling and getting the right meds. Have you tried an agency that helps you with vocational counseling and placement? Also temp jobs could be an option. Best wishes!

[lil_better_everyday]

I seem to go through spurts. Hold down a job for a couple years, then go through three or four over the next year. Then try going back to school and quitting that too. I've given up on any grand dreams, but I seem to have stabilized to the point where I can keep a low level, low stress job indefinitely.

I have this issue as well. I tend to go through patches in my life where I will go through 6 jobs in one year. I have held 1 job for a year though. I also am the same way with school; I go through areas times when I change my major to something completely unrelated.

I am normally looking for some kind of excitement and before I know it I have done it.

[Homeira]

Four years ago my career was completely put on hold. Since then I have only worked sporadically. i hope to get well enough to resume my career at some point, but right now I am completely unable to work.

I myself have completely given up on finding and holding a job, although I will be completely broke and desperate during the upcoming year. Menial jobs are not good for self esteem, and continuing education is not in the cards without stable job to pay for it. Part time work through a temp agency doesn't look good for me as I desperately need health insurance.

My opinion of myself is this. A guy in mid 40's needing back surgery and fighting bipolar, is useless to society, and in fact I told my therapist that very exact statement last week. I have become a useless pos and cannot figure out to push forward.

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by lil_better_everyday

I seem to go through spurts. Hold down a job for a couple years, then go through three or four over the next year.

Me too. I've held some jobs for 2 1/2 years, and some for only three months. My work history looks like Swiss cheese. Now on top of that I'm almost 56 and seriously overweight.....the only thing that could make me more unemployable would be tattoos all over my face. I'm still a licensed nurse but can't work due to the severe stress, and I'm overqualified for the unskilled minimum-wage jobs. I'm also a nervous wreck even THINKING about going back to work at any job.

Finally this past summer I filed for disability. I don't know if I'll get it, even though I have an attorney, a diagnosis of bipolar 1, and a hospitalization along with my spotty job history to show how dysfunctional I am. I've never been very good at doing the poor, poor, pitiful me thing, but I know I've got to if I want to have any chance of winning my case.

I wish I could work. I wish someone would take a chance and hire me, and then be flexible enough to handle it when the inevitable ups and downs occur. Might as well wish for the moon.

[Crazy Hitch]

I've lost 3 jobs due to this illness.

It's hard for me to work long periods of time for an employer.

I've just recently started up my own business.

Watch this space.

Will see how it goes.

[gloamingone]

I've had soooo many jobs. My experiences working with mental illness have been incredibly negative. It's to the point where I have multiple panic attacks all day long if I try to work. Also serious suicidal ideation. Trying to get disability currently. I'd give anything to feel "normal" and hold down a job. :-( Not being able to work feels so shameful to me!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Disorder7]

I agree with what most of you are saying. I've had soooo many jobs, and I'll quit in a heartbeat.
I don't even have anyone I could use as a reference if I had to find a job.

[memson]

I lost two well paid jobs because of (my then undiagnosed) BPII over the last 5 years - more recently I had a small business which failed because it (or my clients) couldn't tolerate my mood swings.
I'm currently on disability; not because I want to be but because I see no other way right now. I have to get stable enough that I feel I can handle the stress of a fulfilling job.