Tomorrow I'm going back to working regularly (the past two weekends I've worked but now I'm working weeks too). I'm worried the increased stress is gonna send me spiralling. I'm going to be working 35 hours my first week, but less than that after a couple weeks, and unlike last year I'm never working longer than an 8 hour shift.
I'm worried because last year I was hospitalized in June for mania and then went back, and was hospitalized again in August for another manic episode and never went back (until recently). However, last year I worked 14-15 hour shifts and skipped on my meds frequently (because they were making me too drowsy to work those 15 hour shifts!).
Any one have any advice for staying stable while working?

[Sunflower123]

I don't but I wanted to say congratulations, good luck and best wishes. I'm rooting for you!!

[bioChE]

Probably worth a conversation with your doc or with your company, or both. Your doc might be able to help you with something less sedating, or to take your meds on a different schedule. There are times when working 14-15 hour shifts may just be impossible to deal with in your condition, and you have to be willing to accept your limitations if that's the case. I don't think I could consistently work those types of hours these days, even though I have in the past.

14-15 hour shifts should be illegal and nobody should be in a position to have to work such hours. Even sane people will go crazy and nobody can be their best selves for this long. I'm glad you are not working longer than 8. That alone should show you great improvement. I have no advise because all the advise I could give would be things everyone already knows and I won't insult your intelligence like that. You can either do it, or you can't. I'm glad you have IP services available to you. Stay in contact with your doctors and let them know about all symptoms which get in your way of succeeding. Best wishes and luck going out to you.

[lilypup]

No advice here but hope you do well and stay sane. I know work can be hell.

[Unrigged64072835]

Best of luck as far as work goes. Hopefully they can keep you to a stable routine.

[Wild Coyote]

Good luck with this. I hope all goes well!

WC

[Slightlydelusional]

Good luck with going back to work! Im going back tomorrow for a short shift of three or so hours. Im really worried as have been off for 3.5 months, but money is running out and I also need to get back into the world after being a hermit for so long.

I also worked too long last year, putting in 50 hour weeks which cause massive stress issues and have vowed to stay around 35. I also will take a vacation this summer, which I have not done in a year, but will force myself, but key is to make sure its safely planned as I go off the rails with addiction and pretty much no where u can go now without temptations but gotta figure something out as miss traveling so much, even if to go camping for weekend.

[rwwff]

Take this with a grain of salt, as I don't have to drive much anymore. Prioritize your med compliance over how well you work during the full shift. If they have to come with you to the office, get an extra labeled jar from your pharmacist. The other thing, is something one of those Psychiatrists that posts symposium talks on youtube mentioned, you know the ones with 8 views and no comments? With BP, you get the liability of course, but also an abusable ability, you can keep ramping up your work intensity, step, by step, by step, by step, till you've pushed yourself into mania land and can't get out. Whereas "neurotypical" folks will generally bail on that third step, say, "F it." and go home.

When you're 12 hours into a shift, don't let folks around you take advantage of that "gift". If they do it once, they'll do it a hundred times. Act like anyone else at 12 hours in, absolutely exhausted, and barely functioning within task parameters.

Don't step it up.

I recall being in our accounting office at 2am doing martial arts and dancing while I'd maxed out what my computers could handle. This is embarrassing if someone sees you.

Thanks for all the responses guys. I'm doing good so far. I'll do my best not to "step it up."