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.
Perspective, vision, and presence are three coping skills that help bipolar depression on a deep level because they help you broaden your thoughts and fine-tune your actions. These activities are intentional and lead you to action while also respecting the fact that depression is difficult.
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.
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.
Does Your Employer Need to Know About Your Bipolar Disorder? The simple answer is “no.” You are not legally required to tell your employer that you have any medical condition.
Pros of Working from Home with Bipolar
You get to wake up, eat, sleep, and take care of other needs around your own schedule rather than an employer's. You get to be comfortable. -- No stuffy work clothes. No chatty coworkers.
When living with bipolar disorder, individuals often find themselves either extremely productive and focused at work or largely disinterested. This tendency can make it challenging to maintain a full-time job or focus on a career path where one must always be at their best.
Additionally, mean annual household income for patients with bipolar disorder was $43,662, compared with $96,319 in the general population.
Most studies with samples of people with established bipolar disorder suggest approximately 40-60% of people are in employment.
Outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, gardening, outdoor yoga, or walking can contribute positively to mood control and stress reduction. Eco-therapy activities also help minimize symptoms of depression.
The Americans with Disabilities Act always considers bipolar disorder a disability. However, the Social Security Administration sometimes does not. Bipolar disorder causes significant shifts in mood, making work difficult.
Bipolar disorder is included in the Social Security Listings of Impairments, which means that if your illness has been diagnosed by a qualified medical practitioner and is severe enough to keep you from working, you are eligible to receive disability benefits.
Bipolar disorder can cause your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low. Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.
In a survey conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, almost nine out of every 10 people with bipolar disorder said the illness had affected their job performance. More than half said they thought they had to change jobs or careers more often than others.
Sleep routines are critical, and one must rest and sleep regularly for good health. Shift work can be extremely challenging for people with bipolar disorder; for some, even one sleepless night can trigger a manic episode. Because of the risk, it is best to avoid pursuing jobs that have such requirements.
People with bipolar disorder can live a good life, be happy and be successful—just like anybody else. In fact, you might be surprised to find out that some of the greatest and most creative minds have had bipolar disorder. Some of their greatest work has been done during their darkest times.
Some individuals with bipolar see a link between their diagnosis and their high achievement—sometimes as a result of hypomania's enhanced energy and creativity levels and sometimes because of the degree of focus and self-management required to address symptoms and prevent or cope with mood swings.
Living with bipolar disorder does not mean that a person will experience difficulty making and maintaining friendships. However, without suitable treatment and a support network, symptoms of the condition may put a strain on relationships.