Both poles of bipolar disorder – mania and depression – can make it tough to achieve peak performance at work. Depression can sap your motivation. Mania can trigger conflicts with colleagues and drive you to start dozens of projects you never finish. Appointments with doctors and therapists add to the burden, and many of the medications used to treat bipolar can sap your energy and dull your thinking, especially during the time you are first adjusting to them.

In the midst of a major mood episode or when you’re recovering from one, you may begin to wonder whether you’ll ever be able to return to work or perform at the same level you’ve become accustomed to. You’re also likely to be at least a little concerned about your transition back to work – whether to tell your supervisor what’s going on, how to talk about bipolar with your coworkers, and how to take full advantage of your rights under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Starting next week Tuesday, we will be running a five-part series that covers all of these topics and more:

• Part I: Will I Be Able to Return to Work?
• Part II: To Tell or Not to Tell?
• Part III: How to Talk About Bipolar Disorder
• Part IV: Requesting Reasonable Workplace Accommodations
• Part V: What If I Can’t Work? Protecting Your Rights

Our hope is the articles in this series spark further discussion that generates even more tips, tricks, techniques, and insight into effectively managing bipolar disorder in the workplace.

Special thanks to Laurel Cargill Radley, MS, OTR, Associate Director of Professional Affairs and Heather R. Huhman, Media Relations Manager of the American Occupational Therapy Association and Katherine A. Burson, MS, OTR/L, CPRP, Director, Rehabilitation Services, Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health for assisting in the research and writing of this series.

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  NurseExec at 5:14 pm on December 3rd, 2009

I can’t wait to see this series of articles. As an RN with pretty severe rapid cycling BP1, I’ve struggled a lot in the last couple of years with work issues. I’ve been blessed with a great employer, fortunately. Looking forward to seeing what you’ve got to say.

  Bobbi J at 9:06 am on December 4th, 2009

I also can’t wait for these articles! Out of work on disability for three years now, my going back to work would really help with household finance!

  Karen Wilhelm at 1:15 pm on December 7th, 2009

15 years ago I disclosed my depression to my employer and others, in part to help erase stigma. I continued to do this for the next ten years. It was a toxic environment, which I should have left, but I couldn’t find the energy to start a job search.

I gradually became more and more marginalized by managers above me. I accepted a demotion to relieve myself of management responsibilities. Finally I took an early retirement. That has led to a new career as a writer in the business management field. I have less work and less money, but my life is much better. Yet, even though my BP has improved, the pain is with me for part of every day. My psychiatrist and I have been unable to make me well.

  mkm at 6:52 am on December 14th, 2009

Thank you for writing such encouraging articles. i am just coming out of a depressive episode and such are the questions on my mind – will i ever return to my initial zeal for work? keep us posted i Thank God i found your site

  sandra felice at 2:59 pm on December 29th, 2009

My son has been on disability income for 10 years due to bipolar disorder. He can not live on the amount that he has been awarded but has trouble finding a job flexible enough for him to hold down. Any suggestions? He recently had an interview and was to start the next day but due to insomnia and then oversleeping once he finally fell asleep, he was late on the first day and dismissed.

5 Comments to
“Bipolar Disorder on the Job”

Ask a Question or Post a Comment:

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

    Last reviewed: 3 Dec 2009