When is it time to start looking for a job or furthering your education formally?

I'm looking ahead being optimistic as hell. I would like to get to the point I'm working, preferably on art. I have a nasty habit of starting school when hypomanic and dropping out, like 7+x. BUT if this lasts I can do more then I'm presently doing. It however with working I can't fail because I'd need the medical and would probably only be able to work part-time. So do I wait 6 months, a year, until my pdoc and T agree (because that will never happen)? I feel bad I haven't had a career. I use to say it's because I was raising M. Now I don't have that excuse. It's easy to point to my CP and be like yeah people won't hire her but work places are getting more accepting. I want things, H wants things that we just can't have being this low below poverty. I'm not complaining by any means. I want to rise above this illness. Buy things, have a house, dare I say interact with people. I'm smart as hell and it's wasted.

My old T use to say people with BP can work. No one has ever agreed to me working or school I had one summer job that I loved. Do I just say F it and be content or do I spend this time trying to get what I want?

H says relax and enjoy but I feel like I should be doing something useful.

Looking at your most recent posts, you seem to be struggling. Going back to school will have a lot of work and a lot of concentration. I say this based off my own experience. I tried to go back for a certificate. I wasn’t able to make it through the classes because my focus just wasn’t there. My ambition was but unfortunately that wasn’t enough. Have you thought about trying to volunteer at a local art museum? See how that pans out. Or inquire about auditing a class and see how that goes?

There's still life classes I can attend but I don't have the money to audit a class. My son bought me an art program a couple of months ago that I may go back to.

I tried going back to school to finish my degree that I started at 18. I was in my late 30's, or early 40's I think. I got a voice teacher and practiced and memorized the music and dressed up, even though I felt fat. I was hyped up the day of the audition and felt I could do no wrong. Everything was easy- a breeze. Everyone had nice things to say to me. When I sight read, the professor said "That was easy for you, wasn't it?" But then it all came crashing down when I got the rejection letter a little while later. I tell myself that they didn't have a lot of spots and they probably gave "my" spot to someone younger and with a better voice. I can't fathom trying to get a job just to fail yet again for who knows what reason this time. This is why I'm on disability- that and my chart detailing all my psych ER visits and my psych hospitalizations, even though it's been years since I've been to either one, now.

My first answer to your question is "When you feel you have sufficient coping skills to adequately reverse growing episodes." Of course the ability to reverse episodes can sometimes be very hard, or impossible, but it must be a lot more than "rarely" or "occasionally". Study or work will be stressful. It will be. How has your stress tolerance been, in recent months?

I think a major barrier for people on disability going back to work, even part-time, is fear of either losing disability payments or otherwise not being able to pay bills...if the effort backfires. That's a sad fact in life for many of us. Those who have nothing to lose? Definitely go for it! Those with iffy situations, I'd seriously do some planning for backup strategies. And again, first hone your coping skills.

Many people try volunteering before jumping into higher responsibility situations. I realize volunteering itself allows an easy out. Having a major responsibility does provide extra incentive to stick with something, but unfortunately that pressure isn't always stronger than the illness. There are jobs out there that pay a bit, yet do offer accommodations and flexibility. They might be the best to try first. If you choose the studying route, I strongly recommend starting with only one course. Beware of signing up for 12 credits (or even 6) from the get go. Some years back, I took some online courses for credit, but only one course per semester. The fact they were online (and not face-to-face) also helped ensure greater success. A commute, itself, can be a big challenge/stressor. How comfortable are you at driving or taking public transportation yourself? Sitting amongst strangers, often people your son's age? Going somewhere "every once in a while" is not the same as the pressure of going twice (or more) per week. A commute of just 5 miles is different than 10 and up, for some.

If anything I wrote discourages you, please don't let it. Rather see it as "next baby steps" in preparation for the future.

i agree with the other wise and wonderful posters in that it depends if you feel like having enough coping skills to adequately deal with further stress. i think talking about this with your therapist and/or pdoc may prove useful otherwise just give it some SERIOUS thought before making any decision at least in my opinion. Sorry if my post isn't really Helpful. i Hope you'll make the best passible decision whatever that may be. Please do keep us updated and don't hesitate to ask or vent if you need to. Sending many Safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @Miguel'smom, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

I volunteered for about a year before getting a job. I’m still on disability and work part time and go to school part time

I woke up thinking I homeschooled Miguel. What's stopping me from homeschooling myself and testing out of college classes? Yes that can only take me so far but that maybe a good start.

Moose72 I'm sorry you didn't get the spot.

Soup de jour even the first step I can't do yet. I did better calling this time but I try to hid episodes until it's to much. Stress tolerance in recent months have been ****. But I'm not talking of doing this right now. We have a lot to loose. It was supposed to be temporary though as we worked through our **** and raised Miguel. If I went the tech school route it'd be full time for a year. If I do college I think 1 class at a time is a good idea.

Mickychicky no one agrees with me going to work/ school. I can do it for fun BUT they've all made it clear that making a living is not something I'll be able to do.

Hailiebeth87- I look up to you.

I want things that I just can't have in our current situation. Things that others wouldn't blink an eye at.

I don't have an answer to your question, but I sure understand wanting normal things that others wouldn't blink an eye at.