Disclosing BP to your employer

I would advise against disclosing at work if at all possible. I got burned twice and will never again share my diagnosis with anyone who doesn't have a need to know. Employers fall into that category, and they also have offices full of lawyers who know how to get around the Americans with Disabilities Act, so don't expect the ADA to protect you.

Seriously, don't disclose unless you are very, very certain of your standing at work and believe your supervisor(s) will be sympathetic. I was a nurse and made the mistake of thinking my bosses would be more understanding because we worked in the healing arts, and boy was I wrong. Of course they couldn't fire me for being bipolar, but they easily found other ways to get rid of me. It sucked, but what could I do? Take them to court on my own, in the middle of an episode brought on by the stress of it all? It wasn't worth it.

I would advise against disclosing at work if at all possible. I got burned twice and will never again share my diagnosis with anyone who doesn't have a need to know. Employers fall into that category, and they also have offices full of lawyers who know how to get around the Americans with Disabilities Act, so don't expect the ADA to protect you.