Your Jobs

I'm just curious how BP affects your jobs.

Do you all have stable jobs?
Do you cycle jobs frequently?
Does your employer know about your condition?
What does your employer think of your condition?
What do you do for a living? (If you don't mind saying)

If some of you don't mind sharing, I'd love to listen.

Yes, I have a stable job.

Yes and no, it's kind of the nature of my business to move around a lot, but I had to give up my last job due to critical physical illness -- had been there about a year, and 2.5 years at the job before that. On this one about 14 months now.

Yes, my immediate supervisor knows. He is back and forth about it. Sometimes he cuts me a break because of it and sometimes he's a butthead about it.

I am a newspaper reporter.

Candy, yours is an inspiring story and I like your taste in beer :-)

Candy, it sounds like you manage your mental health pretty well. That's great to hear!

BP has trashed every job I've had for the last ten years. This fall I had to withdraw from school and enter an outpatient program at a hospital here. I just started back to school this week, we'll see how we do this time around. I'm taking a MUCH reduced class load this time.

DJ

My Job is stable to a point, I have had this job for about 13 years, I have quit more times then I can remember and they always took me back. They never knew I was bipolar until I found out about a year and a half ago. So they have dealt with all of my mood swings and attitude for quite some time. After I told them, it pobably explained a lot. I have recently had to take a feww weeks off because I was not me and needed to recuperate, the response was "don't you think you're milking this a bit". So as far as them being sympathetic,I don't think so. I drive a school bus and know when I need time off for the safety of the kids that ride with me, they don't see it that way only as an excuse to take time off. Any ways I think I am looking for a change but don't know where to start. I went to school to be .a paralegal but I am not sure if I could handle the stress load that goes with that. So what's your story ,with your job I mean? Jen

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Seraph said:
Do you all have stable jobs?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
Yes. I used to work full-time in vocational rehabilitation. Now I work part-time at that job and I do a part-time internship for my graduate degree as a therapist at an inpatient psychiatric hospital. I have worked at my paying job for almost 2 and a half years.
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Do you cycle jobs frequently?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
When I was younger I used to cycle jobs constantly.
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Does your employer know about your condition?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
Yes, both my paying job and my internship supervisor know about my illness. Unfortunately, it looks like I am going to be a taking three weeks off from my paying job because of a depressive episode that is (still) not responding to medication. It will be the first time I have ever had to do something like that. I will continue my internship. Since I work in the field of mental health I choose to be extremely open with the nature of my illness. I choose to embrace the firsthand knowledge that I have so that I can educate my peers and colleagues.
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
What does your employer think of your condition?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
Like I stated above-- I an open about it and they are extremely accepting of it. They ask the questions they want to know-- about medication, about the illness, etc. and I am able to educate them. That's how people should be learning. I think it's great and I'm not the least bit ashamed.
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
What do you do for a living? (If you don't mind saying)

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
As I said above, I work 3 days per week as an intake coordinator for a mental health program. Then I work 2 days per week as a therapist in an inpatient hospital on various units. And then I go to school 2 nights per week. I graduate in May!!

I appreciate this thread. I liked reading the responses.

I have a stable job now, but have gone through a number of them in the past few years. I usually only last a few months and then move on. I've been at this one for almost 7 months now.

No, my employer does not know about my condition. A previous one did and made my life miserable because of it. So this time I kept quiet, plus I am stable at the moment.

I am a restaurant manager for a fast food franchise.

Mary Alice

It took me a long, long time to get here, and I still have bad times, but they aren't as long or as off the deep end anymore. I know that I can end up in trouble again in no time flat, though. I'm glad for the good times, but I don't really trust them yet.

10 years of therapy and a life-threatening illness can turn your attitude around, too, but I don't recommend the illness part.

Do you all have stable jobs?
I have a stable career choice; but I've had 9 different employers to file taxes for in the last 6 years.

Do you cycle jobs frequently?
Yes, and I don't want to do that anymore. I suffer greatly from the "grass is always greener" syndrome; not just for jobs either.

Does your employer know about your condition?
NO

What does your employer think of your condition?
N/A

What do you do for a living? (If you don't mind saying)
Software Engineer

Yes I have held my current job for 6 years. I am in a career field that requires frequent relocation. So, sometimes I change jobs for better opportunities. Except for one 3 month period when I had to be hospitalized my employment has been pretty consistent. My current supervisor is aware of my illness. He was very compassionate about it when I experienced depressive episode last year. We talked about ways to handle it and he allowed me to work part time until my medications were effective. I am an architect.

Me and my pdoc have just recently come to the decision that I am bi-polar, along with about 46 other things...but...to answer your questions:

I am not stable at jobs. I often start to obsess about injustice of some situation or another and end up being unable to stay there. I've only just started a part-time job that has no commitment level and its about the only thing I can handle. If I am given too much responsibility, I eventually crack, which is ironic because I prefer to lead or be left alone, rather than be told what to do.

I have never had the nerve to tell a boss about my mental health because I honestly don't think they would care. Only a very few people know, mostly out of my own fault because I am very much a recluse.

I've never shared my secret with any of my employeers either. I usually last about 5 years at a job. My depression usually leads to an attendance problem, but when I'm manic, I was the one working 12 hour shifts for months.

I regret quitting the last one the most, I really liked what I was doing and the people that I worked with. I think that they probably would have understood and worked with me, but I was too embarrassed to say anything. Plus, there were many new changes that I was having difficulty adjusting to.

I had a doctor that would give me an excuse when I was depressed with the very vague message that I was "under her care and unable to work." Unfortunately for me she moved. Because I didn't tell them I was not able to use the short term disability.

My boss is understanding, but I could tell she really didn't understand anxiety too much. You could tell she wanted to understand but just didn't get it. She really didn't seem to understand why the anxiety was still there even though I had my heart procedure and it was a success. At least one of the head housekeepers here at the hotel struggled with anxiety and beat it so she knew exactly what I was going through. Thats all I needed to feel better was at least one person I worked with to understand. Not everyone would understand, or would ever go through anxiety but I didn't need everyone to understand.

I'm BP I and my manic episodes usually ended up with me spending several weeks in the psych ward. I lost 10 years of my life, my 20's, to this illness. I usually lost a job or dropped out of school depressed or hospitalized. Then, with the birth of my son 25 years ago I accepted my diagnosis and began taking litium religiously. Haven seen restaints since. After 5 years working in child welfare I got my masters in social work. I have worked the last 20 years with the elderly as an Adult Protective Services worker. I'm hoping to retire in about 7 years without a relapse. No one knows my diagnosis at work other than they all think I'm a little nuts. I used to be ashamed of my illness. Now I 'm just glad I have something so treatable.

You give me hope!

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Topher said:
I'm BP I and my manic episodes usually ended up with me spending several weeks in the psych ward. I lost 10 years of my life, my 20's, to this illness. I usually lost a job or dropped out of school depressed or hospitalized. Then, with the birth of my son 25 years ago I accepted my diagnosis and began taking litium religiously. Haven seen restaints since. After 5 years working in child welfare I got my masters in social work. I have worked the last 20 years with the elderly as an Adult Protective Services worker. I'm hoping to retire in about 7 years without a relapse. No one knows my diagnosis at work other than they all think I'm a little nuts. I used to be ashamed of my illness. Now I 'm just glad I have something so treatable.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Seraph said:

I'm just curious how BP affects your jobs.

Do you all have stable jobs?
<font color="purple">Yes, its up to me to keep it that way.. </font>

Do you cycle jobs frequently?
<font color="purple">I have in past and kept coming back to the place I work at now... Its comfortable and familair and a job I enjoy... </font>

Does your employer know about your condition?
<font color="purple">Yes... and they are very understanding... Thankfully my two immediate supervisors happen to be my best friends which makes it a lot easier for me in many ways... esp. since they can read my face and moods very well.. and if I need time off they are accommodating.. I am very fortunate.. </font>

What does your employer think of your condition?
<font color="purple">Usually it isnt an issue, unless something comes on suddenly .. but my co-workers are accepting and accommodating to my sitaution... </font>

What do you do for a living? (If you don't mind saying)
<font color="purple">I work for a chain supermarket primaryily in the front and back office... Bookkeeping and Customer Service... and fill in on the front end supervising and cashiering when needed.. </font>

If some of you don't mind sharing, I'd love to listen.

<font color="purple">I am blessed that my friends work where I work, b/c I have pple that I trust and can talk to if an issue comes up... before I came back to the job I am at now (for the 3rd time) I had sparatic stints , LOL... I would get overcome with anxiety/depression/or anger or whatever and walk out... some after only a cple hours.. But I am more aware of myself and my own signs now then ever before that I am more in control... I have better coping skills... plus the comfort of working with pple I know well... </font>

I still struggle with my moods, especially dysthymia. Life is not always great for me Moose. But at least I control my world now, not my illness controlling me as it did in the past. I wish I could glide through life with ease and grace like some seem to, but its work and tiresome at that. Again, I am glad that I am not defined by my chronic mental illness. I hope you find a way to control your illness Moose so that most of your energy can be spent on finding contentment.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Topher said:
I still struggle with my moods, especially dysthymia. Life is not always great for me Moose. But at least I control my world now, not my illness controlling me as it did in the past. I wish I could glide through life with ease and grace like some seem to, but its work and tiresome at that. Again, I am glad that I am not defined by my chronic mental illness. I hope you find a way to control your illness Moose so that most of your energy can be spent on finding contentment.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Thanks, Topher!

I had a great weekend in terms of communication with my boyfriend and even-ness of mood. It is good to feel calm and watch my mood chart show this, too! I also saw my pdoc today and my depakote levels are being checked (we just upped the dose and took away the Abilify) as soon as I can get into the lab, plus a few other things.

Being diagnosed with bipolar was a shock- but at the same time, a relief, as now I have a name for my symptoms and can be pro-active.

As for my employer, they haven't said anything negative, that I've heard of, about my having so many dr's appointments/needing sick time off. Some days its for mental health, sometimes physical health... I have had to have a week off for an intestinal infection, as I was in the hospital back a couple months ago, for instance. Today, I offered to come in and work through lunch, which is the most important part of the day, then go to my appointment. They were happy with this arrangement, so I've tried to work all my appointments this way, now.

Good to hear Moose. Meds can only do so much. You have to be pretty vigilant about when you become hypo-manic or feel a major depression coming on. Mania can be so seductive and depression so hard to stop. I work with a woman who is on depakote and doing very well. She did not do as well with Seroquel, more sensitive to the side effects. I hope you find (with the help of Depakote) a way to be your own best regulator of mood - balancing normal joy with sadness while guarding against mania and depression. I'm glad that it sounds like your medication allows you to experience the rainbow of emotions safely.

Hi, all. I have to call in to work- AGAIN! I took half a day off yesterday because my son's had a fever all week. I woke up with a headache and it just got worse. By the time we were in the dr.'s office about 2:30, my headache had turned into what I thought was a migraine; I had to pace to deal with it! So I went to see my psych. dr. (just next door) and the nurse said it wasn't to do with my recent meds change and take Advil. Advil wasn't gonna touch this! I went back to my primary dr's office (same as my son's) and saw a different dr. (Luck of the draw!) They gave me a shot of something- strong Advil they said??- and had my lay down for 20 minutes in the room in the dark. (My 10-year-old was very good waiting in the room with me and being quiet. ) When they came back, I felt MUCH better. Now, I've got a sore throat, but no fever. They gave me a note for two days off. Body was so achey after my headache went away- I guessed it was before, too, but I hadn't noticed. So I have a dr's note and feel like crashing into the bed.... but I feel guilty for calling in. I tend to "work through" being mildly ("mildly") ill and then get worse. Here I am up at 1 a.m. posting because I went to bed at 8! (Gotta go back to sleep for a bit, huh?) Oh- good news is that I can now go to get my blood work done. Needs to be done 12 hours after I took my Depakote- but it is for other things as well.

I went in and got my blood drawn 12 hours after the Depakote- finally! (They are doing a liver draw and a complete blood count, too.) I am SOOOO tired and I would guess I slept 8 hours total last night. So its this virus. My BF called at the usual time this morning and when he figured I wasn't going to work, started lecturing me on how I was going to lose my job, and he was feeling blah and he was going to work because he "has to" and, etc.! I just sat there silent, until he said he realized he was starting a fight and didn't want me to cry and get my sinuses worse. I wasn't crying. Just zoning out because I was trying to keep myself from saying "What is your problem? We are not married! Leave me and my job and my money alone. If we get engaged, THEN we'll talk." So yes, I'm here. Yes, I'm exhausted, and yes, I'm going to put on a movie and zonk out.