There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to telling people at work about your mental health condition. Whether you choose to tell others can depend on how much your condition affects your role, the amount of support you have outside the workplace and your relationships with your colleagues.
Bipolar Disorder and Employment Issues. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can interfere with work. This is because it can affect your mood, concentration, energy and activity levels. This does not mean, however, that someone with bipolar disorder cannot work.
Having bipolar is not a free pass or excuse for temper tantrums and destructive choices. Learn to disengage and make amends when necessary.
In spite of what someone may think Bipolar Disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. Many more people have it that one would guess. And many of them are successful people that have been fortunate enough to be able to use their abilities for the good. You are enough as you are.
To truly forgive yourself for what you did during a bipolar mood episode, you must be able to separate yourself from your symptoms. Knowing what your values are and who you are as a person go a long way toward self-compassion and, ultimately, self-forgiveness.
When a person with bipolar disorder regularly exaggerates their stories, it may be that this is how they remember them. The tendency for rapid speech during a manic phase may also make a statement seem like a lie. An example of this is when the person goes on talking without reflecting.
It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against you simply because you have a mental health condition.
To diagnose bipolar disorder, a doctor performs a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and recommends blood testing to determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism, is causing your symptoms. If the doctor does not find an underlying cause of your symptoms, he or she performs a psychological evaluation.
Bipolar disorder is a disabling psychiatric illness that is often misdiagnosed, especially on initial presentation. Misdiagnosis results in ineffective treatment, which further worsens the outcome.
As our anonymous contributor writes, one effective way to manage a bipolar employee is simply to talk with them and check they are ok. Doing so makes them feel valued and supported and able to perform at a higher level. These don't need to be formal conversations – a quick chat will do.
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).
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.
The employment rate among people with bipolar disorder has been estimated to be 40%–60%7 and among people with schizophrenia 10%–30%.
A 2020 study suggests that nearly 23% of those with bipolar disorder could be considered high functioning. If you have high functioning bipolar disorder (HFBD), you might be able to manage your bipolar disorder symptoms and complete your daily responsibilities and functions.
Bipolar may worsen with age or over time if this condition is left untreated. As time goes on, a person may experience episodes that are more severe and more frequent than when symptoms first appeared.
A blood test therefore could help identify those with bipolar disorder experiencing depressive episodes. A 2021 study of a new assay test showed it's possible to diagnose low blood mBDNF levels in people with MDD or bipolar disorder within an accuracy rate of 80 to 83 percent.
There isn't a standardized clinical blood biomarker testyet to determine bipolar disorder or provide personalized medication matching. But emerging research is promising in developing blood biomarker tests to help healthcare professionals diagnose and treat bipolar disorder.
The main sign of bipolar disorder is extreme mood swings that go from emotional highs to emotional lows. Manic episodes cause people to seem very energetic, euphoric, or irritable. During depressive episodes, your loved one may seem sad, upset, or tired all the time.
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.
Employers cannot discriminate against workers because of mental health conditions, but also have the right to let go of individuals who are unable to do their job or those who pose a "direct threat" to safety.
You have the right to disclose at any time during your employment. You also have the right not to disclose. The Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA)1 states that employers cannot ask questions that will likely reveal the existence of a disability before making a job offer.
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.
Manipulation isn't a formal symptom of bipolar disorder, although some people with the condition may exhibit this behavior. In some cases, manipulative behavior is a result of living with another mental health condition, such as personality disorders, substance use disorders, or trauma.
Mental health experts have found that some key features of bipolar disorder and narcissism overlap. These include setting high, sometimes unattainable, goals and being very impulsive. As a result, people with bipolar disorder often also have narcissistic personality disorder.