[Cdnstargazer]

I have questions for anyone that does shift work or has in the past. I'm a casual, working in Healthcare. I work full time hours because my position is always needed.

So far, I'm sticking to evening shifts 3-11pm and it has been ok, though some days are hard to wake up after taking Seroquel at 11:30pm the night before. Would I really be messing myself up if I did 16 hour shifts, (3pm-7am) on occasion (not regularly)?

How have you adjusted to a bipolar diagnosis and your shift work? Are there any tips you might have for me or advice?

[Miss Laura]

I worked shift work before and after I found out I had Bipolar and I went manic when on nightshift (10-8am).... I worked 8-3pm, 11-6pm, 3-11pm all perfect but nightshift just sent me manic. I was told by professionals that people with Bipolar should not work shift work

[bioChE]

Shift work can wreak havoc on someone who has BP. I used to do consulting that required a lot of varied hours, and it put me in the hospital.

[manicminer]

I've worked every shift known to man and many not here at the coal mine.

For me it all comes down to sleep. Can I consistently get 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep per 24 hours?

If the answer is yes, then the shift work is sustainable regardless of the timing.
If no, things start to go down hill.

The other aspect is routine. Throwing double shifts into the mix every now and then can out me out of whack, but i can quickly recover. Repeated doubles, like 2-3 per week are very detrimental.

I currently work 3-11, usually 2:30-11:45 and I'm doing good. Getting rough tho now that we have a newborn.

[Row Jimmy]

Shift work can be a challenge because individuals with BP do better with structure and routine. Anything that tips the routine can trigger a problem. I'm going through it right now.

[Cdnstargazer]

This is fristrating. Before I was ill, I struggled with depression and anxiety and was relatively ok as long as i exercised.

Now that I have a family and spouse I cannot do my own thing so routine is necessary. Lots to get accustomed to. :/

[piano97]

Please don't do 16's.

If at all possible see if could do a split shift, something like 12-8, if can't get on the 7-3 shift.

[piano97]

Before I was ill, I slid under the radar with running a few miles every morning and other exercise. I took Klonopin once in great while, and Benadryl.

Then I got sick.

I'm trying to get my meds straightened out again after being really sick over the summer. I'm really struggling on the exercise thing because meds aren't keeping me in balance at all.

Hang in there (I hate when people say that to me, sorry) and make taking care of yourself top priority.

[Tucson]

Be more conservative. Do not play with fire. All you need is a significant episode to call your job into question. Perhaps when you look to do it all it is a sign of hypomania?

Tucson

[Cocosurviving]

My daughter started working nights 4:30pm-3am Mon-Thurs. Sometimes they will require mandatory overtime on Fridays. But its's the same shift. Here lately they did for 3 Fridays in a row. She was hypo and I gave her some ativian and benedryl. She has insomnia real bad and takes both every work night. She has bp2 and deals with hypo usually in the spring and summer. Most of her depression hits in the winter. Me, myself I would not be able to do it. My mania/mixed would kick in, in a heartbeat. I wish you the best of luck

[BastetsMuse]

I worked shift work while bipolar - 12 hour shifts - and managed it fine. I was stable on my medications at the time, and I had an understanding with my boss that if I needed a day off I would take it (there was a lot of overtime in those days).

The key thing is to get stable on your meds first before working any shifts outside of day shift, and to treat your shift as daytime. It helped me to do it that way.

[goldenglitters]

To me it sounds like a really bad idea! Having a normal sleepcycle is essential in managing the ups and downs. Also work in healthcare during the summer and did both morning, evening and night shifts, in no specific order. It really messed up my sleep, I think that is why I am experiencing more highs and lows now than I did in like four years. I think especially for bipolar people it is important to keep the circadian rythm intact, since we are so extremely sensitive to disruption.