I am trying to get back to work and find a better job. But what is “better?” I was doing what I thought I loved to do. I have spent $30,000 on my education, and have been working toward this particular career goal for 12 years. I have tried to get out of it as it seems that my major bi-polar episodes have coincided with work. But the more I get away from it the sadder and more detached from myself I feel.
I am currently applying to a job back in my old field – am I doing the right thing? My husband is worried, he got to see things from the outside (and was terrified for me) and was relieved when I began searching for a job that would put me on a more even keel; for instance, I wouldn’t be bringing my work home. The current position I am interested in seems like it may be a compromise because it is more limited hours and it would be more of a collaborative effort with my co-workers. Advice anyone?
Hi, Sara–
Returning to work can be very challenging, but what you say in your second to last sentence about the new job being a compromise, offering more limited hours, and giving you an environment of collaboration sounds like you’re taking the right approach. Your husband has every right to be worried, but if your meds are effective, you keep taking them, and you carefully monitor the situation with your doctor and others, I don’t see why you can’t return to the work you invested so much of your life preparing for.
We have several posts in the Career category that you may find useful in planning and managing your return to work. We wish you the best.
If you’ve returned to the same job after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder or changed jobs or careers, please share your experiences and insights.
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I was lucky when I returned to work. Management was understanding and helped me find therapy to deal with stress from work. My coworkers give me a heads up when mania is coming on. I avoid triggers when I can and of course I believe in myself, that I can accomplish anything even with bipolar.
I was 10 years into my former career when I was diagnosed BP II. I can’t begin to describe how happy I was to finally have a reason for all my problems. To make a long story short, I shared my good news with the wrong people and 10 days later I was put on Administrative Leave. There was nothing I could do. They had a file documenting my “inappropriate behaviors” and my union gave up as they had a big contract fight coming up that same year. So I left and while I miss parts of my job I don’t miss all the horrible stress. My only regret is that the people that “knew me when” never got a chance to see me healthy and stable. I would live in a card board box before I would return to my former career. Now I’m about to start on my Masters in Social Work and while I’m not sure where the money will come from I know I’m finally going to do what feels right.
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