[Lillyleaf]

Hello,
I am working on getting my college degree in education then I realized that I can't become a teacher if I have to live in fear that my students find out I have bipolar disorder. I use a service dog and people ask all the times what my disability is. I tried going to schools through observation but with my dog I knew it was impossible. Also I have been struggling with letting bipolar disorder be something I tell people around me. I really want people I know to know about my illness, within reason, but as a teacher I couldn't feel like I can be honest with anyone. Even if I went and got through school and became a teacher I wouldn't be able to cope with the idea of hiding and pretending I was something I'm not. Even if I didn't use a service dog. Now I am left with no idea's on what to do with my life.
Do you have any experiences or how you handle your diagnosis and your social and professional life?

Thanks,

Lilly

[wildflowerchild25]

I'm a teacher and I have only told a select few people at my job about the BP. But I'm also a master at hiding my symptoms, at least enough so that no one bothers me. I know they talk about me behind my back but I don't care. As for my students, I would never tell any of them about my illness. But again, they don't notice. At most they might think I'm weird but that's no big deal to me. However, I don't have a service dog. I'm not sure how you would get around that unless you lied about something like told people you have a seizure disorder or something like that. Which I wouldn't want to do because I wouldn't want people to find out I'm lyinG.

Teaching works for me but I understand how it may not work for you. I would suggest trying some other classes at school and seeing if you can find something else you're interested in.

I am a high school teacher in my 30th year of teaching. My students do not know about my diagnosis; no reason for them to. A few select people at my school do know my diagnosis and it has really not been an issue. They have been very respectful and supportive. The issue for you would be your service dog; you will get questions. What do you use a service dog for with bipolar disorder by the way? I'm not familiar with actual service animals being used for bipolar disorder.

[pirilin]

Hello Lillyleaf,

I wish you the very best in your career choice. Stephen Hawking is living proof that
anything can be accomplished. If you have what it takes, And are willing to pay the price.
Where I may be of a little assitance, is in the part of disclosing your condition.
Society in general, admires health, strengh, stability and wisdom. Among other things.
There are a lot of misconceptions as to what bipolar is. It is perceived as a flaw.
It's not something I would disclose unless is absolutely necessary. Just my .02.

[gina_re]

First of all, anything is possible, and I'm sure you will be successful in whatever direction you choose, whether it be teaching or somewhere else.
But just out of curiosity, how far are you into your major if you do ultimately decide to change? You sound very sweet, and I'm sure you will be a great teacher. As others have mentioned, it is possible to be a teacher and have bipolar disorder. Heck, it's possible to be anything and have bipolar disorder. As long you're stable and keeping regular appointments with your pdoc and T to help with any stress that may arise.
Good luck!

[lilypup]

Yes, I was a teacher and school principal but became manic and lost one job and became
disabled and quit the other. I also don't know how you'd do it with a dog. Believe it or not, some kids are allergic. Plus, I don't know if a dog would be a safety issue. Maybe the district would think he might bite someone. (Even though you and I know that's not true.) Anyway, don't let anyone kid you, teaching is VERY stressful. I don't mean to be a downer just sharing my experiences.
My son got a degree in communications and is currently working at an insurance company. He does data entry and makes $22 hour. This is as much as my daughter makes teaching.
Just some things to think about. If you have your heart set on teaching, go for it, and I wish you all the best.

[gina_re]

Oh, and as far as how I handle it professionally, I don't tell anyone until after they've seen how awesome I am. Meaning, my work ethic and hard work is what they are seeing first, not someone with a disorder. If it needs to be disclosed to a supervisor, so be it if you feel comfortable. But no one has to know unless you feel like it is necessary.

[Lillyleaf]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

I am a high school teacher in my 30th year of teaching. My students do not know about my diagnosis; no reason for them to. A few select people at my school do know my diagnosis and it has really not been an issue. They have been very respectful and supportive. The issue for you would be your service dog; you will get questions. What do you use a service dog for with bipolar disorder by the way? I'm not familiar with actual service animals being used for bipolar disorder.

I use a service dog for allowing me to differentiate real voices and ones in my head,
I use it to respond and prevent SI behavior, respond to panic attacks, brace for nausea, blocking other people by standing in front of me to relieve anxiety, we are also working on waking me up, and finding lost items.

I would never want to say that I have a disability that I don't have.

[MusicLover82]

I teach private music lessons, and I generally do not tell my students or their parents about my diagnosis unless I become close friends with them and I trust them. My bosses know about my diagnosis (only because we used to be colleagues before they took over and became bosses), but I never talk about my symptoms or episodes. They see me as very capable and high-functioning, and I am good at hiding what I struggle with. If the fact that I take medicine ever comes up with a coworker, I usually just say I struggle with anxiety. That's only part of the story, but there is certainly less stigma attached to anxiety. Best wishes in your career path! <3