People living with bipolar disorder are capable of finding fulfilling work in a range of different job roles and workplaces. Symptoms, skills and interests vary from person to person. In your job search, focus on finding a job which enhances your unique strengths and helps you manage your mental health.
Can People with Bipolar Disorder Work? People with bipolar disorder can work, but they may face challenges. Many mental health conditions can make it difficult for a person to carry out day-to-day responsibilities, especially in the workplace.
If you're employed, you may be able to work shorter hours or in a more flexible way, particularly if job pressure triggers your symptoms. Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make the employment of people with disabilities possible. This includes people with bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder and driving
If you have bipolar disorder, you must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) as it may affect your driving.
Both the ADA and SSA consider bipolar disorder a disability. That qualifies you to get extra protection and benefits under the law. To start the process, talk with your doctor. You will need documents to prove to the government that bipolar disorder affects your ability to work.
Ultimately, it's your choice – disclosure of mental health issues at work is a personal choice, and you can say as much or as little as you want. If you need more support, being open can help you get it.
Thousands of Americans who are diagnosed with this condition every year are unable to work and hold employment due to their symptoms. If an individual is unable to work because of bipolar disorder, he or she may qualify for either Supplement Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Such overlaps occur in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, sometimes making it difficult to differentiate between the two. However, these conditions are distinct from one another, and they do not always co-occur. While bipolar disorder cannot develop into schizophrenia, it's possible to experience symptoms of both.
The employment rate among people with bipolar disorder has been estimated to be 40%–60%7 and among people with schizophrenia 10%–30%.
Delusions can be a symptom of both manic and depressive episodes in people with bipolar disorder. These false beliefs can be very distressing to anyone who experiences them. If you're concerned about delusions in yourself or a loved one, seek help from your primary care provider, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist.
A stressful circumstance or situation often triggers the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Examples of stressful triggers include: the breakdown of a relationship. physical, sexual or emotional abuse. the death of a close family member or loved one.
You'll find more than a few anecdotes suggesting bipolar disorder can change the appearance of the eyes, generally by affecting pupil dilation, gaze, and even eye color. So-called bipolar eyes might include: dilated pupils. “sparkling” eyes, or eyes that appear more liquid than usual.
Absolutely. In fact, bipolar disorder is considered to be one of the few mental health conditions that is highly likely to cause a significant and long-term psychosocial disability.
Poor judgment and impulse control, frequent mood swings, irritability, inability to concentrate, hyperactivity, and other common symptoms of the manic phases of bipolar disorder all affect your ability to perform your job and interact with others.
Generally, SSDI payments can range from an average of $800 and $1800 per month, although those amounts can be more or less depending upon your particular circumstances.
Under Australian workplace law, employees - and prospective employees - are protected from unlawful workplace discrimination. This is when an employer takes, organises or threatens 'adverse action' because of one of 13 personal attributes, including physical or mental disability.
It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against you simply because you have a mental health condition. This includes firing you, rejecting you for a job or promotion, or forcing you to take leave.
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, ranging from extreme highs (mania) to lows (depression).
Bipolar disorder can take a toll on your mental health and your physical health. Physical illnesses associated with bipolar disorder are common and considered major contributors to reduced life expectancy. According to a 2021 study , bipolar disorder is associated with higher rates of: suicide.
For example, a person might say that their eyes sparkle or widen during a period of mania where they feel euphoric, or have an extremely high mood. Meanwhile, narrowed eyes might indicate mania that surfaces as irritability, which is often called dysphoric mania, or mania with mixed features.
Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme mood swings. These can range from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). Episodes of mania and depression often last for several days or longer.
Although bipolar disorder can occur at any age, typically it's diagnosed in the teenage years or early 20s.