Bi Polor Anybody???

Question

Ok I was just told that I am bi polor and that I shouldn't work or anything, Does n e body else have this going on too??? If so how do you deal with the idea of not working????

Ok I should be a little more clear, I have other mental problems and some physical too. but do you think that I should still work, or at least try it???

Answer 1

I'm bipolar and I work. What's it all about, well...

OK, so it's a mood disorder and a serious mental illness. It has a strong genetic component, but appears to be triggered environmentally. There are no diagnostic tests for it, just psychiatric evaluation. Most sufferers are not diagnosed until middle age, and it takes an average of around 8-10 years to get a correct diagnosis. Historically, figures suggested it affects about 0.8% of the population at some point, which makes it about half as common as schizophrenia. In recent years, bipolar disorder has become an 'in' diagnosis, and many more people are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. As with ADHD, this fad may well pass with time, although for the moment many celebrities appear to be 'popularising' it.

It is characterised by episodes of severe clinical depression and mania or hypomania (for definitions of those, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder ). The extreme end of mania often turns into psychosis, complete with hallucinations and delusions. During manic phases, the person's judgement and perception of reality is severely compromised, leading to risky actions with potentially damaging consequences (financially, sexually and relationship-wise). Untreated, episodes generally worsen over time due to an effect known as kindling. Untreated Bipolar sufferers are at a very high risk of suicide: 20-25% attempt it, and 15% succeed.

The cycles in bipolar disorder are much longer than people generally believe. Anyone whose mood changes from minute to minute is very unlikely to be bipolar. Bipolar 1 is characterised by mood episodes lasting many months, while Bipolar 2 has episodes in the region of weeks to months. Rapid and ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder is rare, and cycles last days to weeks.

There are many drugs available to treat the symptoms of bipolar (there is no cure). These are either anti-convulsants or anti-psychotics (personally I take both), and the most well known of these is Lithium. These drugs are heavy duty psychiatric medications and are not to be taken lightly, and most if not all of them have a range of side effects including lethargy, photosensitivity, cognitive impairment (dumb as a box of rocks), weight gain, hormone problems, hair loss and blood problems. These side effects have to be weighed against the benefits of mood stabilisation. Most patients will go through a number of different drugs before finding one that works for them.

Answer 2

I have been Bipolar for over 10 years and always take my meds. I work. But sometimes I go on disabilitiy if I have just had an episode. For example, I was in the hospital for depression for many weeks. When I came out, I needed to be on disability because I could not work.

But once my meds got altered I went back to work. They can't fire you because you have a disability. That is against the law in the US.

Some people with Bipolar may never have severe episodes. It just depends on the person....

When I did not work, I basically focused on taking care of myself. When you have a severe episode, it can take awhile to get back to 100%, sometimes up to a year.....

Answer 3

I am bipolar myself, and have been diagnosed for 10 or more years. I have worked ever since I was told. If you don't work, how are you going to live? Does someone you live with have an income? so you don't have to work? I have always worked even after I was diagnosed. Granted, I am considered mild, but enough to be on meds, Neurontin and Welbutrin. You can't get on SSI anymore with JUST bipolar, you have to have two other dibilitating illnesses besides just bipolar. Granted, it isn't always easy to work when you are bipolar. It messes with your ability to process your thoughts. The meds really mess with your thought process. Depending on how much medication you are on, also it can mess with your eyesight, and your balance. The doctors ask us not to work, because sometimes it's too much stimulation for us, and we get manic too easy, or we get too low from the stress of working.
I personally enjoy working. When I'm not working, is all I want to do is sleep, so I try to keep working. However, right now, I am wanting to not work; but that has to do with other health issues. Also when we are manic, as you know, it is hard for us to sleep. So I stick to either NOC shifts, or PM's that way I don't have to get up early in the morning. The consistency of working is difficult at times, so part-time is really better for me, and if you split your days off up, so you can rest in between your five days of work. Or, try to stay with the same days off, it is difficult for bipolars to make changes with a minutes notice, like on-call positions, or when they call you at home and want you to come in at the last minute.
If you dont' have to work, don't. But get involved with some kind of 12-Step work, so you can keep your mind active and know who you are, and learn when your bipolar is acting up, or if it is just normal feelings. Get a good support group of people going who know you are bipolar, and have some understanding of being bipolar. I recommend go to the library and get some books on bipolar so you understand your illness. These sites will help, but only a little. We can only tell you so much. Keep busy if you aren't working; get a hobby; become active in a group; volunteer. I hope you will be okay.
Bipolar and still working.

Answer 4

I see there are people touting medications for bi-polar.

I've been struggling with bi-polar for years and years and not ONE medication has helped AT ALL.

They all make me comatose.

Medications don't help everyone folks!

As far as not working, in my case I have other physical problems too that make me unable to work... I'm not sure on bipolar solely, but it's all sort of related too.

Answer 5

Learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder, so you can better understand the condition and that can help you with your interaction with them. There are many good books about it and also for people who know someone with bipolar and the books given many ideas of how to help both yourself and the person afflicted with it. Also it helps to know which bipolar it is. Are they bipolar 1, or bp 2 or bp 3. That will also give you some idea of how extreme their swings/moods are going to be. . I guess what you will have to ask yourself, is, How important is this person to you? If not for their bipolar, do you value them? I know it isn't easy to be with someone who suffers mental illness, but I tell ya the flip side. It isn't easy to be the person who HAS the mental illness. The guilt over the lack of control alone can tear you apart. I hope that the person you are talking about is actually trying to control it and is getting treatment if needed. Best to you.

Answer 6

I don't know that you can NOT work with bi-polar disorder. I guess it would depend on the severity. Check into SSI so you get income while you're not working. Take up some hobbies, travel, enjoy life.

Answer 7

Who told you you shouldn't work? With medication, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to lead a normal, successful life.

Answer 8

I take antidepressant. I feel like I need an increase in meds to make it work better.

Answer 9

Who told you?
Have you considered getting a second opinion?

If you go to www.radiantrecovery.com and answer the questions there, do you fit that profile?

Answer 10

my boyfriend is bi polar... he takes meds for it. it seems to be helping him...and yea, he still works and stuff... and im also bi polar.