If you are bipolar, what has holding down a job been like for you?

Question

I am curious if you have bipolar or add or both how you handle having a stressful job if you have one.

I just got yet another job (i have had a lot in my lifetime) and it is the most stressful I have ever had. It is a vet tech position... lots of memorization, etc. It's difficult because I have bipolar and add. I want to succeed at this job so badly. I want to for once prove to everyone that I can do something.

How do you handle stressful jobs if you have bipolar, add... one or both?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I haven't been diagnosed but I suspect I am and for the past 14 years

since leaving a dead end position of 15 years, people behaviors have

not changed one bit, if not getting completely worse and I am

caught square bullseye in them

Everytime I utter an  opinion or try to get to the problem of someone's

preoccuptation with my personality, I deal with some heavy retaliation

I am usually severely depressed everyday returning home

I can't even relax on break because of all the uproar and hostility

but at the end of the week I know I have retained some of my

self-respect and dignity and not let others control me to an outrageous

point

I just try throw myself into my work and stay as busy as possible

and away from the nonsense when it is not walking directly in my path but I do let it distract me because it is all around and I despise

that on the job

While trying to tell myself that I am better than all this   I am better

than what people think or say

Relationships are highly difficult  Trust is an issue but there is not

too many people in the workplace nowadays that you can trust and

that is a painful fact of life   I keep thinking in all the mess each

day there:  " Why is this going on?"

The hardest thing for me is letting go enough to relax

Answer 2

Before i was on seroquel and lamictal for bi polar i had a h**l of a time at my job. It was a daycare, and stressful as heck somedays, If your not on meds, you should really look into it, i couldnt have kept my job otherwise. i couldnt focus and i just could not think right.

Answer 3

My mother is bi-polar and she could never hold a job for more than six months.  I bet if you're on medication it's easier, if not, then good luck.

Answer 4

I started university and i had to take a 4 month break from a relapse.

But now i'm back on medication all is ok and i am stable.

I realised it was what i wanted to do with my life (i'm studying mental health nursing) and i'm determined to succeed and help other people.

Good luck to you :)  

Answer 5

I know someone that has bipolar and he says hes going to work and he acts like the best worker and shows the team that hes the best for about 1 day and then the next hes sleeping all day and doesn't turn up to work lol but but i dont understand just try your hardest look thats all i can say dont let things get to you we are all human and have the same abilities so just don't let things stress you out because i know what thats like. think about your job and the money your going to earn and things that matter and don't stress over it appreciate it.

Answer 6

Well...I either beat up my coworkers or make love to them.  

Answer 7

I was trained as a pharmacist.  My bipolar disorder came on when I was in pharmacy school.   I have had one job for 10 years and another for 2 years.  I left both of my jobs because of symptoms of my illness.  I am stable now and have tried to find another job, but I cannot.  It is like I have wrecked my reputation in the city I live in.

Answer 8

my girlfriend is bipolar and she tends to do well enough with her medications.

Answer 9

I take medication. And there are still times its tough to hang in there...

Answer 10

I have bipolar disorder and stress causes me problems on my job too. I will usually get up and take a walk for a while to clear my mind. I'm lucky because my boss knows of my illness and works with me to keep me stable. Sometimes she'll walk with me and let me vent so that helps a lot too.

Answer 11

people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder take medication so it won't affect their lives.

Answer 12

First, you have nothing to prove to anyone.  You have already succeeded in your determination to work.  A lot of people just throw in the towel, but you're being a fighter.  In the end, it's not what your job is, but what your heart holds.  I don't have add & they never could decide about bipolar disorder.  Right now it's PTSD and depression.  I worked for many years.  I lasted until I was about 40 and then ended up leaving my job.  It destroyed my self-esteem when I went on disability, but then I started getting it.  Our "life's work" is not necessarily the work we do to pay the bills.  As that sinks in, my confidence grows. Anyway, take it day by day, at this new job.  Take notes if they'll let you so you can refer to them as you're learning.  Be very diligent with your meds and any appointments with professionals for your bipolar disorder.  If you're not in therapy currently, you may want to consider it so you can work with someone on having skills that help you on the job.

Good luck!