Do I tell my boss I'm Bipolar?

Question

Just returned to work after a very long 9-year absence very ill living with BP. These years were filled with black depression, a myriad of medications, too many ECT's and hospitalizations. But, finding a new pdoc changed things, and I am now on the correct medication to control the mood swings.
I just returned to work, full-time at that, and have this yearning to let loose and tell everyone of my illness. I just want them to know how far I have come and my accomplishment, and how down in the 'black hole' I really was. I also want them to understand of my slowness at times when new policies/procedures are introduced.
Realistically though, I think/know this would be a mistake. Why, I guess, it's the STIGMA of the general public who perceives mental illness as something it's not. So for now, I am still sort of wondering what I should do.

Answer 1

First congrats on your illness remission!

I wouldn't tell them at work. No way.

Us Bipolars get a lot of bad press lately. We're on all those cop shows (Criminal Minds, Law and Order), Oprah, Dr. Phil, Dr. Keith, and others, and never in a good light. Remember the guy who got shot and killed at the airport in Florida by the air marshalls? He said he had a bomb and would blow up the plane, reached for his backpack (presumably to get out the bomb) and got killed. He was bipolar and off his meds. That scared a lot of people. About a year or so ago there was a football player on a plane that "flipped out" and attacked a flight attendant during the flight. The plane was diverted and the man was arrested. He too was off his meds. I don't tell people (except my family and friends know, of course) because I don't want them to treat me differently, as in "oooh, watch out for her, she might "go postal!" I don't want anybody to watch what they say around me either. The last thing you need is your employer asking you if you took your meds today. That would really be bad. I would LOVE to be able to tell people and have them understand what I go through every day and "cut me some slack" when something at work changes. The reality, I believe, just doesn't make it feasible.

In my experience with those in my local support group, others (those not dealing with the illness personally) do not understand ECT's and if they've seen pictures of those done in the 60's, their thinking is skewed. Both I and you know that the ECT's of today are not nearly the same as those done in the 60's. That doesn't stop people's perceptions of what it is.

Also, some people just don't want to understand the truth about bipolar disorder. Some people are closed-minded fools. Some people are just hateful and might use the bipolar diagnosis to their advantage, or even get you fired. I don't think you want it spread around the office either, and such "juicy gossip" would be. I know you could file a lawsuit if you get fired after you tell someone about it, but do you really want to go through all of that?

If you're very well controlled, why not just revel in the fact that you're back at work and successful! Celebrate it with your friends and family! That's wonderful that you're such a strong person! Kudos to you for being brave. Kudos to the doc for getting you "straightened out" for lack of a better term.

Enjoy your new job!

Answer 2

I have been bi-polar my entire adult life.....NO NO AND NO, don't tell anyone at work......once you are secure and like your job...feeling very safe with particular people, you might want to share a year from now.
I was working many years ago when I had a long psychotic experience in the hospital.......my boss, who had previously loved me...acted like she didn't know who I was when I finally came back to work. We have come a long way in meds for this illness, but the public truly has no idea what mental illness is.
I never went back to work as she gave me some kind of bad reference!!!! I never knew (I had known this boss for 25 years when this happened..not working for her all the time during that period)
I moved where I am now 5 years ago, and just told my minister and staff about my diagnosis last year. They were very nice and said they could tell.....not to think a thing about it and be sure to stay on my meds. We "bi-polar" people aren't hard for the public to know there is a little something different....like the wandering mind, the racing mind, lack of concentration ,etc.....

Answer 3

Everyone is ill, some more than others, some are better at hidding it.

Finding the medication that turns everthing around is like finding a new life. I've been there. Go for it!

Unless your job requires that you work in a situation where it would be important for your boss to know, You dont need to tell him anything and it's not legal for him to ask.

If there seems to be a stigma from your illness than you need to find another place to socialize!

Answer 4

Ask yourself this question, what would you gain by telling anyone of your past?

NOTHING.............Some people, including your boss, might be O.K. with it and some would not. Some would label you the "nut case" and some would pat you on the back and say, good job.
Most co workers could care less about your personal life. Your boss just wants you to do your best at your job.

There is just no reason to share that point with anyone except people in your life that mean a lot to you and you are very close to. But don't take it to the work place.

Answer 5

Your last paragraph sums it up. Perhaps if you meet some people at work who become very close friends, you can tell them. Otherwise, you should not tell anyone. Although your achievement is sure to be inspiring to others and something you should be very happy about, you are right, the stigma still exists. It may be held against you when you are considered for promotions or transfers, or a position of responsibility.

Congratulations on your recovery! :) Hope things continue to go well for you.

Answer 6

I wouldn't. About 15 years ago, I went through a mild depression. I had spent lots of money on a journalism degree, only to find out I didnt like working on newspapers for low pay. I went to a counselor and made the mistake of using my company insurance to pay for it.

Ethically, it wasnt right for the personell director to gossip, but she did. Word spread throughout my coworkers that I was seeing a psych.

All I can tell you is this: The depression lasted only a few weeks, but the stigma of having sought mental help lasted for the next couple years of my journalism career. The gossip followed me from that newspaper to another, then to another.

I finally quit the business, and have been very happy ever since. But I have learned to keep my business to myself.

Answer 7

I just typed out a big long reply and I accidentally deleted the entire thing grrrr!
Anyway, I work with a woman who is bipolar with schizophrenic tendencies or something like that. She takes almost 30 different pills per day so that she can function. She talks about it quite openly at work and while I personally don't judge her at all (mental illness runs in my family) some people do. If your illness isn't affecting your work then I wouldn't really tell everyone or be careful who you do tell.
Congratulations on getting yourself better and I hope that you continue to do well!

P.S.-I wish I wouldn't have deleted my first reply because it was better but I can't remember exactly what I said GRRRRR

Answer 8

Don't. If you need to explain a schedule change or such give as little information as possible. FIghting mental health stigma is important, but having an income and insurance is the greater priority.

Answer 9

Uneducated people (that meaning most of the general public) have no real understanding of mental illness, and plenty of misinformation. My opinion is that it would be a BIG MISTAKE to disclose your medical history to anyone.

You don't need to try and educate people by sacrificing yourself. It won't turn out as nicely as you are probably thinking it will.

Answer 10

My suggestion would be that if you're dead set on spilling the beans to wait until you've got some seniority, that way they'd be less likely to fire you over some trivial b/s. Keep it a secret for a little longer, give it a few months to a year then casually mention it like it's no thing one day.