[NuckingFutz]

Well, I guess I'm about as stable as I will get on meds. My caseworker (why do they call they case workers? I'm not a case, I'm a human being) said that I am well enough to be working in my field (Administrative Assistant or "Glorified Secretary).

Now how do explain to an employer why I haven't worked for the past 2 years (bipolar) and how do I come up with professional references when I haven't maintained many?

I wasn't on SSDI, I used several other agencies to get by.

I don't want to lie about this, I don't think I should have too because of this illness.

Has anyone had any experience in this area?

I need all the feedback I can get.

[girlN]

never messed with any of this personally but i wish you the best of luck and hope you get some helpful info.

[ehrhar]

I had to find a job after about six months of being unemployed. For a portion of that time I was hospitalized.
I wouldn't recommend revealing your condition. I was able to obtain a job through a family member's recommendation. The job was far beneath my skill level but it helped me get up in the morning and rediscover how to interact with people. I would suggest that you contact an employment agency and explain that you were a student or homemaker or caring for disabled family member.
This is going to be difficult. I made to the career I was educated for after a year of doing what I considered menial labor but it required the support of friends and family members. I hope that you have a support network available to you.

[jefftele]

good luck with your job hunt, i'm sure with persistence you will find find something, when life hits us with illness that is cruel enough, especially if we are young, it s a double blow when some employers discriminate.i've had 23 years of ill health, been in and out of work several times ,at 52 i still at times yearn to be part of the workplace, but it seems to lessen as i get older, i've found it hard to accept my limitations. i've found discrimination is real ,more so with mental illness although there are enlightened employers out there , i'd say some employers often lie to their workers about lots of things why isn't it ok for us to lie back? do what has to be done . re your job hunt,good luck

[jattitude74]

How about 'personal family circumstances' kept you from working and now you are in a postion to return to work?? OR You needed to take time off to support a family member in a time of need and you were unable to to be a dependable employee and you are now looking to return to the work place?? It is not necessarily lying just creative wording! Good luck, Jen