Help for Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace

When a person has bipolar disorder, they experience extreme mood swings. One moment the bipolar person may feel on top of the world and believe themselves to be invincible and in complete charge of them selves. They also function on very little sleep. This is called a manic episode. The other extreme in mood swing is depression which is why bipolar disorder was referred to as Manic-Depression. The bipolar person having a depressive episode may feel hopeless and stay in bed all day crying, unable to get out of bed or to do anything at all. They may also be suicidal. As you may well imagine, going to work when having either a manic or depressive episode can be very challenging for the bipolar person so I have listed ten tips for dealing with bipolar disorder in the workplace.

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Tip #1: Take your Meds Faithfully

Having bipolar disorder means that you will be under the supervision of both a doctor and a psychiatrist (or therapist) on a regular basis. When bipolar disorder is left untreated, the symptoms just get worse so keep in close contact with your doctor and take your medications regularly. During a manic episode, you may believe that you no longer need your meds but it's very important to take them especially if you want to keep functioning on a nearly normal basis and go to work to pay the bills and perhaps even support your family.

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Tip #2: Get Plenty of Sleep

There will be times that you don't want to sleep especially during a manic episode but you need it just as much as you usually do. When you don't get enough sleep, this can make your bipolar disorder symptoms even worse which is a big problem for the workplace. While it may be true that during a manic episode you appear to need less sleep AND you are extremely productive on the job, it won't last and once you crash into a depressive state, you will most likely be unable to function at all, let alone get out of bed and go into work. So make sure you are taking your prescribed medications and get plenty of sleep.

It is not enough to just get plenty of sleep though but it's best if you try to live a healthy lifestyle overall. There will be times the very thought of food might make you sick but try your best to eat small healthy meals and drink plenty of water to keep your physical body in decent condition. A diet consisting of nothing but junk food and carbonated drinks won't help your body handle the stresses of every day life, let alone the extra stresses of the bipolar disorder.

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Tip #3: Don't Make Major Decisions Or Changes in your Life Until you are out of the Manic or Depressive State of Mind

Small problems in the workplace can seem huge when you are bipolar and it is tempting to quit. And it might even be true that you really CAN find another job but, do you really want your resume to be full of multiple short term jobs that you've quit? Having a resume like that will be a red flag to employers and you may not get hired even for jobs that you are very qualified and capable of doing. So don't quit your job because you hate it or you hate some of the employers or co-workers.

If it is possible, try to work in a job where you have the same schedule and see the same people and do the same type of work every day. Make sure you have an understanding boss who is knowledgeable about how the law applies to you and your particular disability. In other words, welcome to Fantasy Island! Unfortunately not everyone is familiar with bipolar disorder and some people believe that people who are bipolar are dangerous and won't hire them or will even fire you if they know you have been diagnosed as bipolar.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in hiring, job assignments, promotions, pay, firing, benefits, layoffs and all other employment-related activities. Plus employers are required to make what is called "reasonable accommodations" for your bipolar disorder disability. If you have bipolar disorder, you have a legitimate illness and are entitled to fair treatment from your boss. An employer may make reasonable accommodations for your bipolar disorder but they are not legally obligated to keep you on the job if you are making dangerous mistakes and being completely unproductive. They do NOT have to accommodate you if you are threatening other employees and creating a dangerous work environment.

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Tip #4: Should You Tell Your Co-Workers that you are Bipolar?

You do not have to tell your employers that you are bipolar and it is illegal for them to ask you what is wrong with you unless you are failing to do your job correctly or have been hurt on the job due to your bipolar disorder. It is against the law for your boss to tell your co-workers about your bipolar disorder. And you definitely don't have to tell your co-workers about being bipolar. It may seem like your co-workers are your friends but you may want to re-think telling them about your medical issues because it can possibly come back on you negatively via the gossip grapevine that exists in all workplaces. I personally don't agree with telling co-workers about being bipolar but it is a personal decision that is for you to make. You know your co-workers the best and perhaps they would be understanding and helpful.

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Tip #5: Talk with Your Psychiatrist or Therapist

It's definitely a good idea to attend your therapy sessions regularly and faithfully and be truthful about your feelings. Therapy only works when you talk about what is really happening in your life and ask for help. When you're bipolar, it's even more important to keep up with your psychiatrist or therapist. On the job stress can really take a toll on you. So talk to your doctor and therapist; find out some ideas for handling on-the-job stress from them. Attend a support group for people with bipolar disorders and find out how they handle work-related stress. Talking about your problems can help you find new ways to handle them, either from those with special training or from those who have lived through them.

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Tip #6: Avoid Working with the Public during a Manic Episode

Do not work with the public when you are having a manic episode. If you are the least bit aggressive, the public will definitely offend you and you will end up screaming and cursing at them and could possibly end up without a job too. This is one of the times to ask your employer for those "reasonable accommodations" under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Perhaps you can be transferred away from working with the public and work behind the scenes for a period of time.

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Tip #7: Use Your Off-Work Time To Do Things You Enjoy

Take your time off work to do activities that you really enjoy. I don't mean just take time off work, I mean on your days off or on your vacation, do things you enjoy. Walking, hiking, biking, painting, sculpting, horseback riding, whatever your favorite things to do are, do them. And do them a lot! Fun activities help relieve stress and when you do go back to work, you are more rested and ready to do the job.

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Tip #8: Shame or Embarrassment?

Are you feeling some shame or embarrassment because you are bipolar? Please DON'T! You have a medical issue and need treatment. You are not always in control of all your actions though with proper medication, you are able to gain control. But in the beginning phases of your treatment, it make take several different meds before you and your doctor find the correct meds in the correct dosage that will keep your moods even. Unfortunately there is still some social stigma attached to mental illnesses and bipolar disorder but YOU know that it is a disability and ultimately it doesn't matter what your boss and co-workers think. But make sure to get documentation of everything that happens to you on the job so you will be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Tip #9: Ask for Financial Help

You have a medical issue that causes you to have problems working so you can apply for financial help. It is okay for you to consider applying for Social Security Disability. Not many of us have the luxury of having buckets of money laying around to support ourselves with so we must work and when being bipolar interferes with you being able to do your job, then it might be time to consider applying for financial help. And if you DO apply for Social Security Disability, it isn't necessarily forever and if approved, you can still work part time. Sometimes we all need a little financial help and there is no shame in asking for it. If you do decide to apply, the first step is visiting your local Social Security office and asking them for the proper paperwork. Once you have found the correct medications and the correct dosage that helps you to be your normal self most of the time, then you can tell the government that you no longer need financial assistance.

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Tip #10: Avoid Illegal Drugs

Perhaps this tip doesn't even need to be mentioned but I will mention it anyway; avoid illegal drugs. Not only are they illegal, they make your bipolar disorder symptoms even worse. Plus your chances of keeping your job while using illegal drugs become very slim to none AND your chances of going to jail increase. And jail is a very unpleasant place for anyone but it is especially unpleasant for the person who is bipolar. But that's a whole different article!

Being bipolar definitely requires some extra work if you want to live as normal a life as possible. But it really is possible to have a normal life, which includes working at a job, as long as you take your meds faithfully, keep on visiting your psychiatrist and doctor and follow some of the tips that I've listed in this article. Plus you are in good company along with the following people who had mental illnesses or were (or are) bipolar: Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Michelangelo, Beethoven, Sir Isaac Newton, Patty Duke, Ben Stiller, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, and Jane Pauley.

Resources:
Work Relationships. "Bending Over Backwards: Understanding What's Reasonable in Accommodating Psychiatric Disabilities" by Dr. Joni Johnston
WebMD. "Bipolar Disorder: Challenges in the Workplace" by Richard Sogn, MD.