(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:
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines. The comments below begin with the oldest comments first. Click on the last comments page to jump to the most recent comments.
Pannie
2:06 pm on
December 16th, 2009I told, and I believe that’s what protected me from being fired when I spun out of control, again. They did make special allowances for my desk and frequent absences for therapy appointments.
Would I tell again? Probably not. People don’t give you the same respect once they know.
Bobbi J
3:57 pm on
December 16th, 2009I’m not currently working, but knowing what the office I used to be in is like, at that office I would be able to tell- we were a close-knit group and really excelled in teamwork and the patients really responded to that. As far as going to a new office, I don’t believe that i would tell, I would also have to be careful about who to use as references – I functioned at a level that I know I will never be able to attain now, I don’t want expectations that I can’t meet.
With the ADA I don’t think it would be of any help, I can either do the job and all that it entails or i can’t.
I have tried to apply for a less stressful, less responsibility job, I was “overqualified”, but they would keep my resume on file if a position suiting my experience became available- how could I tell them I’m not “all that” anymore??
Anonymous
10:08 pm on
December 16th, 2009For me, the answer is no. I will not disclose my bipolar II diagnosis. I became Director a year ago and have respect at all levels at this point.
News like this changes perceptions. Even if they don’t tell you face to face. It can certainly save someone from getting fired for sure. I agree with that.
I wish it was helpful if every instance to disclose but honestly it just isn’t the world we live in. It’s a crap shoot and you don’t know if you made a mistake until it’s too late.
No one is perfect. Even the mentally “healthy” have issues of one type or another. It should be okay to have honest dialogue on this or other mental health subjects.
It’s just not a risk I am willing to take.
Fried Egg
9:09 am on
December 17th, 2009I told my employer simply because I had to explain my behavior at one point or get fired. He was very understanding and told me to do whatever was necessary, not to feel like I had to ask for permission or take sick leave to do therapy and such. I also told a small number of coworkers who I considered friends and were affected negatively by the episode (a long period of hypomania and a big crash into severe depression). They’ve been polite, but unfortunately I think it became gossip too juicy to withhold and is now common knowledge. I feel my chances at career advancement are gone, although my job as it is is safe. I’ve been excluded from social gatherings, both private ones where the rest of the office was invited, and small occasions at work that I was never informed of, will come into the breakroom after the fact and find the remains of an office-wide event. The cruelty of it just knocked the wind out of me at first, but now I just politely and professionally keep everyone at arm’s length. In hindsight, I’d still tell my employer, really no choice there in my case, but since it made more problems than it solved with my coworkers, keep it to myself. I’ll never make the mistake of confusing friendly coworkers with real friends again, though.
F
5:01 pm on
December 17th, 2009I should feel comfortable about telling my employers as I work for a mental health trust but I have not disclosed my condition.
I am considered to be one of the most hard working members of staff, and in 3 years have only taken 2 days off sick which were not bipolar related. My “normal” colleagues have far worse sick records. My condition is under control with medication and when I am low, I put on a “good face” at work even though I may cry all the way there and all the way home
Unfortunately my daughter now needs to be referred into our service so I confided in the consultant I work for but have no intention of telling anyone else. I will have to disclose my personal history when my daughter is seen but have chosen to be seen at a different branch where I am not known. If my condition is leaked it would be a major breach of confidentiality on behalf of the members of staff concerned.
My consultant was wonderful but I have tortured myself about it ever since wondering if he thinks I am manic if I show any evidence of good mood of happiness. I do believe he may perceive me in a different light now although I would like to think he was surprised when I told him and would not have guessed otherwise.
I have no intention of telling anyone else and would never risk telling a future employer. At the time I was diagnosed (working for a different employer) I was in full blown mania and I did confess. When I took in a sick note I was literally marched off the premises and still feel physically sick everytime I think about it. Their attitude made me resign.
Its a bit tragic that we have to deal with the stigma as surely living with the condition is enough of a cross to bear…
Fried Egg – I am appalled at the way you have been treated and I too learned the hard way about colleagues not being friends when I was treated so badly by my previous employer.
Victoria
9:01 pm on
December 19th, 2009I told one of my previous employers and was fired, I ended up suing and I won my case so in a way I would do it again but in a way I wouldn’t.
I want to get a job after spending 8 years on disability for Bipolar I. I’m reasonably under control now but would still require some accommodations.
I haven’t even tried to find a job. I don’t believe that I have a snowball’s chance in you-know-where of getting a job when I need to ask for ADA accommodations for psychiatric issues before I’m even hired. I think it would be dishonest to withhold the info until after I’m hired, then ask for accommodations.
Janice Cannon
12:44 am on
January 1st, 2010Personally, I do not believe the stigma of having bipolar disorder will ever go away. I’ll never forget telling my therapist that I had been rediagnosed with bipolar disorder (after having spent two years with her for unipolar depression.) She refused to see me anymore and the secretary couldn’t get rid of me fast enough.
Due to both bipolar disorder and numerous physical illnesses, I became disabled to work years ago; however, if I could work, I would not disclose the disorder. Unless a person either has the disorder themselves or knows a friend or loved one who does, they simply do not have the frame of reference to understand, and fear is their first response. I even understand, as it is no secret that criminals are often mentally ill.
Fried Egg
12:28 pm on
January 5th, 2010Lisa Owens — you do NOT need to request accommodation until you have been offered the job. In fact, don’t give your interviewers any information that will make it difficult for them to claim objectivity — your age, marital status, ethnicity, religion, etc. A professional HR person won’t appreciate it. All they need to know is if you have the basic qualifications and can do the required duties listed for the position with or without accommodation. If they do ask for any information like that in initial interviews or on an application, you probably don’t want to work there. Try looking for work at larger organizations that are absolutely bound by the ADA and need to worry about it.
tammy
8:29 pm on
January 8th, 2010just found out about 3 months ago i am bipoar 1. For years have been using different meds because i have been misdiagnosed. I have taken wellbutrin for ocd disorder, lexapro for depression, adivan and xanax for anxiety attacks. Now i only take seroquel, lamictal and ropinirole and am doing great. I realize now that i have been bipolar for many years, even as a child people thought i was hyper or on something. Glad to have mental health clinics they really help and don’t make a diagnosis and give meds quickly without several attempts to discuss with you what could be your illness.
bigearthmomma
12:31 pm on
May 23rd, 2010I disclosed. I had worked with this organization for more than fifteen years when it became obvious to me that I had a problem. In my case, everyone had already decided that I had a problem, but that my skills were such that I wasn’t requested to leave. By the time I decided I had a problem I was barely function. I sought medical help and received excellent care. I also found that my work group rallied around and continue to be very supportive through my problems.
I don’t know that if this job went away, either through getting a less sympathic boss or our contract being awarded to another company, that I would disclose. I view it as an ethical dilemma. It scares me quite alot.
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines.
Post a Comment:
Copyright © 1992-2012 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: 22 May 2012
|
