(This is Part II in a five-part series on bipolar. To start at the beginning, see Bipolar on the Job Part I: “Will I Be Able to Return to Work?”)

The question of whether to disclose one’s bipolar disorder to an employer often causes anxiety for the person with the illness. Of course, it shouldn’t be that way. If you were ill with cancer, diabetes, or heart disease, you would probably disclose it without reservation. You might even get some sympathy. People with mental illness, however, often fear the real possibility of being stigmatized. Stigmatization can take several forms:

• Getting fired or “let go”
• Getting passed over for promotions
• Being excluded from social gatherings by coworkers
• Worrying about people’s perception of you or that they pity you or are watching you
• Having co-workers attribute certain things you say or do (things that would be considered normal for others) to the illness
• Being denied or losing health insurance coverage

In the best case scenarios (with employers who value their employees and understand that good people often have health issues that need to be managed), disclosing your condition can benefit you in several ways:

• You no longer have to carry the burden of hiding your illness.
• You become eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act for special accommodations. (The employer must be aware of any disability in order to be held legally accountable for providing workplace accommodations.)
• Your supervisor and any co-workers you tell may be more willing and able to offer assistance if they understand what’s going on.
• In educating others, you are likely to learn much more about bipolar yourself and feel more empowered.

We cannot tell you whether disclosure is the right thing or the best thing in your particular situation. You may be able to gauge how receptive your supervisor and co-workers will be by considering at their past behaviors and comments they have made about mental illness. If they have demonstrated empathy for others who have had similar conditions, you can safely predict that they will treat your situation with care and understanding, as well.

According to Laurel Radley, Associate Director of Professional Affairs for the American Occupational Therapy Association, more often than not, people with bipolar disorder and similar conditions who choose to disclose their illness are happy they did. “People often assume that they are the only ones dealing with challenges like these,” says Radley. “But when they mention having bipolar or depression or other conditions, the person they’re telling often opens up about similar challenges in their own lives or in their family. It becomes a conversation starter that can lead to productive dialogue. Seeing that others really do understand and care about you can be very reaffirming.”

Radley recommends starting with the people you trust most and those who seem to be more understanding. As these people become more aware of what is going on and better informed, they join your support network and can help fight the stigma.

For more about the pros and cons of self-disclosure, you can access a 50-page booklet on the topic entitled Self-Disclosure and Its Impact on Individuals Who Receive Mental Health Services. (Hyman, I. HHS Pub. No. (SMA)-08-4337 Rockville, MD. Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2008.)

We would like to know what you think. Have you opened up about your bipolar disorder at work? If you did, are you happy about your decision? Were you pleasantly surprised at the acceptance you received? Would you recommend that others with bipolar disorder tell or not tell?

Join us next week for Part III of this series: “How to Talk About Bipolar Disorder” when we offer additional techniques and tips on how to effectively communicate with a supervisor or coworker.

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    Last reviewed: 15 Dec 2009