[kmptrgeek]

I've been lucky to have a successful career even while struggling with having bipolar. I've always been known as being someone who can get something done 5 times faster than anybody else (and correctly)...but what people don't know is that those are the times when I am hypomanic. Then there are the times when I stay in my office with my door closed and snap the head off anyone who makes the mistake of poking their head in. It's worked for me for a long time. Recently I had to go inpatient twice and questions are starting to get asked. I finally had to tell my boss' boss that I had bipolar disorder, but I told him it was "the good kind". I just made that up at the moment, and told him that me having bipolar has helped me be as successful as I have been...but I had been stressed out more than usual lately and had to have my medicine changed which made me have to be monitored. It was a load of crap, but I felt backed into a corner. Now I feel like the cat is out of the bag and my career has hit the glass ceiling. I am afraid I will no longer get that promotion I'm looking for or that raise I want. I'm afraid I'll be known as "that crazy guy" and " don't mess with him or he's liable to go Full Metal Jacket on you". It's a bad place to be for me and it's just adding more stress. Maybe I should just quit and become a shrimp fisherman.

[Eva_Star]

I think this is what is known as catastrophic thinking. I'm very familiar with this. lol

So change it up, think about how they know now so that might a good thing. You won't have to feel stressed out about them finding out or you being "discovered". They already know. This could relieve some of your stress in that you won't feel like you are hiding something, keeping a deep, dark secret.

It sounds like you are really good at what you do...so continue to be that, to do what you've always done. I have no doubt that you will be compensated it. Don't let yourself go down the tunnel into worst case scenarios...I know, easier said than done. But keep trying to see the positive and just keep being the hardworking, productive employee you've been.

Good luck!

[scatterbrained04]

We all have dreams similar to quitting and becoming a "shrimp fisherman" don't we? If only...I'm a lot like you in that I've managed to be pretty successful at work. I haven't specifically told anyone I'm bipolar but several people know I take medication for something. I've had to disclose "my medicine (or going off of one) is making me spacey, fidegetty, nauseous, etc." Wouldn't be surprised if they've put two and two together. I've had people complain to my boss I was snappy even when I really didn't think I was. I truly hope your boss is a big enough person to not let your diagnosis over shadow the good work you do. Not much you can do but keep working hard and hope it pays of in the end.

[IrishLass]

I'll race ya to the boat....

[wildflowerchild25]

I understand where you're coming from.mthis is my third year at my job and I basically had to take the whole fall off to get ECT done. I obviously didn't tell my boss that I was having ECT but all my notes that excused me from work came from mental health treatment facilities. So my boss has kind of figured it out. I haven't said I'm bipolar or anything, but they know something's up. There's also rumors about that I tried to kill myself (which I didn't) but I don't really care what the staff thinks.

I'm in the process of looking for a new job for next year because I'm fairly certain they're going to let me go in June (I'm a teacher). Some days I wish I could just quit teaching too and to do something mindless like packing boxes or something.

But the others are probably right; you're probably just thinking too much. If they've been supportive so far they will probably continue to be Supportive.

[BlackSheep79]

I told my boss when I was a temp. because I was missing time and was afraid I would lose my job. He has been completely supportive. I've been hired in for several years now, I'm on intermittent FMLA and sometimes med leave. A couple of years ago I told my co-workers, I got sick and tired of the looks and why should I hide from something that I was born with? Surprisingly everyone has been supportive, people have asked questions because they have relatives that have MI. Also, I am damn good at my job and I get one of the highest raises every year. I may miss time, but when I'm there I give it my all and I'm recognized for it. I'm not in my field yet, and I may have ruined my chance by coming out, but I'm changing people's perceptions and helping others. Do I go thru times where I wonder if this might bite me in the ***, sure I do. Time will tell. You did what you thought was right at the time and it might actually have helped you. Like me, you are awesome at your job while also dealing with BP, and to me and others that shows strength and determination. Just my view.