How do you deal with a bipolar coworker?

Question

I have a coworker who everyone feels the need to walk on egg shells around because she's bipolar. This is a diagnosis I've given her not exactly from a doctor. She's very intelligent but unfortunately uses this more as a weapon, how do I avoid confrontation with this emotionally unstable person when we work in such close proximities?

Answer 1

I was married to someone who is bi-polar and let me tell you, there is no easy solution!! In a work environment I would avoid her unless you have to work directly with her. Otherwise, you are better off to make her feel slightly intimidated by you and not kiss her butt. They will run over the people that they know they can. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Be sure to keep her as just your coworker. Maintain a professional distance. The most powerful attitude to have in the workplace is to adapt the principal that none of my friends work here. Too many people let there emotional life and their working life become mixed. Don't let a coworker do this to you. It is always appropriate to say "let's get back to what they are paying us for". Very intelligent people tend to have a major weakness in detail work. Because they see the big picture so easily they tend to skip over the details. If you are the one with all the little facts at your fingertips who is able to fill in all the blanks that the "intelligent" person skips over you will look good in the long run.

Answer 3

What a fun thing to look forward to every morning! (sarcasm) Dealing with bipolar people is always iffy. The best thing you can do, if you plan to stay at this job, is to let it roll off you like water off a duck. When she is in a dark mood, you might try showing her 'the silver lining' in whatever is her chief complaint of the day. It is difficult and you'll want to throw up your hands and lose your temper, but that's not constructive and could cost you your job. Just smile and maintain your cheerful attitude (even if you have to fake it). Some bipolar people are very suggest-able. If everyone around them is happy and they aren't, they will try to bring everyone else down, but when it becomes apparent that it's not working, their mood will usually swing the other way and become more pleasant. I know it's hard (my mother is bipolar, been dealing with her mood swings my whole life) but you just have to toughen up and be the one to set the tone for your day, regardless of her mood. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Try to have as little contact as possible. Don't engage in conversation with her if you don't have to. If you're company is large enough that you have an HR department you should talk to them and let them know you feel uncomfortable around this person and that you feel their behavior is abusive - or however you feel.

Answer 5

Tazers work nicely, a Hi-Power Tranquilizer Dart Pistol .40cal will do.

But you should check if she's a "Cuban" first. If she "is" that's normal behavior for them, and watch your back, she'll have your job too along with your peace of mind and yes they do use their wits as weapons...if she's a Cuban look out!

Answer 6

The fact that you have labeled someone bi-polar tells me you need help. You are judgemental. Everyone has a right to be themselves, even if you don't like it.

Answer 7

give her space.. infact try to stay away as much as you can but be subtle about it otherwise she'll get paranoid. If she talks to you just be polite, otherwise, leave her.

Answer 8

Leave or complain to HR or get rid of her

Answer 9

give her a hug.
hopefully that will calm her down.
if not, she might do her nut so badly she gets fired. wink!

Answer 10

try to become bipolar yourself and that way you will attract.