[krissydear]

Has it gone well?

I was able to change my hours with a disability note but I think only for temporarily. And I kind of feel like everyone is treating me differently.

[jpb4815]

I get to work from home if I am severely depressed, my managers sister is BP so she "gets it".

[krissydear]

If you don't mind me asking, what is your job? Don't worry about answering if you don't want to.

I'm not sure how much of a good fit I am with my current job but I'm afraid to look elsewhere.

[jpb4815]

Originally Posted by krissydear

If you don't mind me asking, what is your job? Don't worry about answering if you don't want to.

I'm not sure how much of a good fit I am with my current job but I'm afraid to look elsewhere.

I am a software engineer.

[mtnannie]

Retired now, but always tried to get a job where they wouldn't be dependent on me if I wasn't there. I rapid-cycle and could never tell what mood I would be in. Unfortunately, I would still miss more days than they would tolerate. Probably should have gotten and ADA waiver. Those kind of jobs don't pay very much. Work is just very difficult for us. Talk it over with your pdoc who might refer you to an occupational therapist for help. Good luck!

I wasn't diagnosed until affter I left but at my former place of employmet (major international furniture store) I know of several people that had to take time off for mental illness. When they returned they did have accomodations in place for them to work back into their former roles. It seemed to me they got a great deal of support in performing their duties as well. I took advantage of an outstanding EAP before I left.

[BipolaRNurse]

You guys are lucky. I got really sick a few years ago and nearly had to be hospitalized for a mixed episode. When I needed accommodations at my desk job, I was promptly informed by the company that they 'couldn't' offer them. All I wanted was a couple hours per day of uninterrupted work time, and a plan to avoid confrontational situations temporarily until I could handle them again. Two days later I was fired. That's why I will never again disclose my diagnosis to any employer if I ever do go back to work.

Sorry that people are treating you differently I hate the stigma.

I haven't gotten any work accommodations. I had to quit my first job out of college because it was too stressful and I was afraid of how my bosses would react since they regularly made fun of MI.

Fortunately, though, I'm a software engineer like jpb. These jobs tend to be flexible, and in my current job, I can work whenever I want wherever I want.

I spent time seeking out a lax job like my current one, and I love it. The only problem is that my boss has noticed that my performance/efficiency fluctuates. He doesn't know that my performance fluctuations are due to my mood episodes since I haven't revealed my BP to him.

[hopeless2015]

I have intermittent fmla to cover my time....I'm hoping I don't use up all my time cause then I'm in trouble....fmla gives me 12 weeks or 450 hours off, paid or unpaid

[Bigmike727]

Not in my country. I try to hide my history of mental illness from prospective employers unless they directly ask then I will be honest. I will say this, there is a major stigma surrounding MI, especially things severe as BP. After my hospital trip for a suicide attempt, everyone, when they found out, treated me very differently to the point where they would write complaints about every little thing such as drinking too much coffee, using the bathroom too much, etc petty things. I really should have called labour board about it but I took an exit package and left, was not going to tolerate that. My advice, which is only opinion based on my experiences, don't mention it unless you have too.

[Sosublime]

I worked as a proofreader last year. When I asked for an accommodation to keep a set schedule, the manager reprimanded me for making errors which I did not make. I worked with a team leader who gave me instructions, but the manager said I had black and white thinking and should add work to the existing tasks. They kept writing me up, so I quit. My lawyer said it was discrimination but that it would cost lots of money to bring suit. They reprimanded me exactly two weeks after I told them I was BP and needed an accommodation.

I taught college English and have an advanced degree in the field, so the manager's claims that I was incompetent were ridiculous! I lost the teaching job when I got manic and tried to organize a union.

I worked in the county welfare office 10 years until I starting having breakdowns at work. I was taken out by ambulance and placed in a regular hospital for 4 days. Management placed me on administrative leave and tried to fire me.

I used to work 3 jobs at one time. Every job I've had has ended badly with me being written up for being incompetent or insubordinate. They just have to have a box to check and create a paper trail to get rid of you.

There is so much stigma. It's really a toss up on how you'll be treated if you disclose at work. I hope you can get what you need.

[gina_re]

Just submitted my time sheet with two FMLA days (yesterday and today).

[scatterbrained04]

No, I don't have any accommodations, but I do have some flexibility I've acquired with my job over the years. The flexibility has certainly helped as far as the BP goes. My job can get very stressful at times and triggers depression and anxiety (look up middle management and mental health). So being able to work from home to get away from everyone dumping on me is a big win.