In group the other day the counselors said to someone depressed who wanted to get a job that they can't wait until they get better to apply to a job otherwise there's a chance they won't ever start applying to jobs. Now for the past month or so I've been depressed and the past three days been hypomanic and my seasonal job just ended so I'm out of work again. Now should I do what they told the other person and just go for it or should I wait to be stable? Now in the past I've lost a lot of jobs within a month of being hired because of being out of control manic or too depressed to go to work. There's a lot of places I wish I were working right now but can't go back because I've been fired.
I have a list of places to apply to, but I'm not sure if I should apply and either **** up an interview or get fired because that's just where I am. But on the otherhand I could be waiting to get better for months and work and having a regular routine will help me get better. IDK man, what do I do?

Is there any type of job I can get with no college education where I can help others with mood disorders (or mental illness in general)? Just trying to brainstorm

[Victoria'smom]

A home helper in group homes are usually have no college but they do get training. Teachers aids and substitutes in some areas only need a high-school diploma. It's crap pay though.

[Sunflower123]

I tried to tackle my dream job while I wasn’t stable. It wasn’t pretty. I wish you better luck.

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

I tried to tackle my dream job while I wasn’t stable. It wasn’t pretty. I wish you better luck.

Same here. I'd wanted this state nursing-facility surveyor job for years, and I finally got it. But I soon realized I was in way over my head and ended up drowning in my own foolishness, which led to a mixed episode that cost me the job. It sucked, but I think it was for the best in the long run. It showed me that I was no longer fit for work, and I applied for disability and got it on the first try.

I miss being able to work and make enough money to live on. I manage my meager income very well, but there's a lot I want to do that I just can't on $1300 a month. However, I know I'm doing the right thing for my health by not pushing myself beyond my limits; since I've been on SSDI, I've lost 100 lbs, gotten rid of my diabetes, lowered my blood pressure by a bunch, and been mostly stable through it all. And I know if I tried to go back to work, the stress would put me right back on the road to hell.

I hope things will be better for the OP than they were for me.

I was interviewing with a former employer. I went down there at least four times. Unfortunately, I went manic and when they went to give me a job offer and told me the hr rep accidentally gave me the wrong pay range (higher than what it is of course) I went ballistic for wasting my time.

My daughter was saying to me, are you sure you don’t want to take it? I just had no insight and blew up that opportunity and any future opportunity.

Once I came down, well, that pay wasn’t that bad, and I could use a lower stress job but that is too bad.

Are you on meds? I wasn’t on a mood stabilizer at the time, so too bad for me. I hope you fare better.