i am 40 years old, and i draw disability for being bi-polar. i hate being on it and i am currently in school to hopefully find a job and get off of social security. after three failed suicide attempts and years of off and on counseling i have decided that i no longer need the shame of being disabled this way. my question is has anyone ever heard of a disabled bi-polar returning to work after years of drawing disability?
2007-04-02 05:29:23 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Yes. ^_^ Hell yes! I cannot mention names because I knew the guy from a support group and have to protect his privacy, but...yeah, I knew someone who was bipolar, had it bad, and was nonetheless able to recover from it and go back to his old job.
But there are catches. You have to be stable on your medication. That is just a given. And you have to have people who are willing to stand up for you and advocate for you....the person I knew had his wife help out a lot in that regard and speak up for him when he couldn't or wasn't able to himself.
But the biggest thing is.....you really need to have the prior good reputation and track record. The person I knew used to teach astronomy at the local college in his 20s before he became ill, and that is what he went back to, being a Professor of astronomy in his 40s. It helps a lot if you have already proven to people that you can work when you are well. Personally, it's been my experience as someone with unipolar depression and other issues that if you don't have the prior work record, or are dirt poor and just getting started when the illness hits, the road back is *MUCH* harder.
As in, people will outright hate on you without the prior record of being a "good worker". Which is, in its own way, an act of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (or whatever your local counterpart is in your nation), in that it covers "having the reputation of being disabled" as a disability itself. Not that any of your managers and rich guys ever listen to *the Law*, but hey....
Point is, yes, it is possible to recover and get *back to* 100% from bi-polar mood disorders. I've seen it happen. But your odds will be much better if you have the previous track record of *being* at 100% in the first place....and you will *need* other people to watch your back and look out for you, at least to get you started again. That is just a given. Mental illness is really one of the final frontiers when it comes to the *bigotry* of others in society....nowhere else do people *still* have to argue "No, it's an *illness*, not a character flaw and *not* the judgement of your God, thank you."
I hope this is inspiring...you have your work cut out for you, but you look like you are ready for it! ^_^ Go for it!
2007-04-02 05:48:59 · answer #1 · answered by Bradley P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I have heard of people returning to work after having been diagnosed with all types of mental disabilities including Bi-polar. As long as your doctor releases you to return to work you should not have a problem. You do not have to disclose the reason why you were out of work and employers are not allowed to ask due to HIPAA.
2007-04-04 09:52:18 · answer #2 · answered by ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure you can get yourself well enough to make a living. Just remember, you will need to be on medication for the rest of your life. It seems people who are Bi-polar get to thinking they are well and go off the meds. Then they are worse. This is nothing to be ashamed of. Bi-Polar is a chemical imbalance. Good luck and God Bless. We need more honest people like you in this world.
2007-04-02 12:35:21 · answer #3 · answered by Jan C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well yes I have. MY child has been bi-polar for many years, drew ssi. after getting on the right meds she went back to college and is pursuing a degree in law
2007-04-02 12:34:59 · answer #4 · answered by Carole D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anything is possible with God! GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT! Good Luck!
2007-04-02 12:37:27 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋