Category Archives: Money

Sick in Bed

Managing Bipolar Disorder Versus Muscling Through It: Lessons From a Recent Episode

As those of you from the Facebook page probably know, I’ve recently taken a medical leave for a mixed hypomanic episode that started at the beginning of July. It was in many ways a frustrating experience, and in no ways a pleasant one (though I did have some ideas at the end that I’ll be using in some future writing). I decided this time to really keep a watch on what was going on in the episode, and see what I could learn from it. I did pick up a few things, so I thought I would share them today. Continue reading

Woman Talking by Cubicle

Guest Post: On The Job or How Not To Take Care of Me

In this guest post from Mental Canyons, she describes some of her experiences and lessons that come from living with bipolar disorder at the workplace.

The past several days have been tough. I lost my job last January – I was fired. I know I contributed to the dismissal.

When it came to caring for me, I made poor choices. Lunch time would find me shoveling food into my mouth while feverishly working at my computer. Short breaks throughout the day were non-existent. One of my colleagues implored me to join her in the break room, but I repeatedly declined. “You need a break. You need structured breaks to replenish your well.” I was working 50 to 60 hours per week. Why was I so driven? The workload was intense, and I thought I had no choice. I had to work hard to support my family. I began to think management was watching me in particular. Now I think everyone was “under the microscope.” Continue reading

Clock Face

Time Management Skills for Bipolar People

Time management is already a challenge for most people. However, for those of us with bipolar disorder, time management can become especially difficult. Our mood episodes can undermine our ability to get a handle on our schedule, and this can make it very difficult for us to use our time effectively.

Until recently, I was a graduate student, so I had a lot of time to, erm, work on my time management skills. Over time, I became gradually better at using my time well, and setting out the tasks that I needed to do. In this article, I will set out some of the things that I learned through this process, and I hope that it will be helpful to others. Continue reading

Happy Man in Suit

What Are the Best Careers for Bipolar People?

At the end of the day, people with bipolar disorder are often able to succeed in just about any career (except the ones from which we are barred, which I will mention below).

However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t consider which careers will be best for us. Because of the special challenges associated with bipolar disorder, there are some careers where we are more likely to thrive as people than in others. Continue reading

Life Preservers

Accommodating Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Part III: Emotional Support

This is the third part of a series. Part one, which discusses disclosure and stigma can be found here. The second part, on scheduling can be found here.

At first, it might look like emotional needs may not be a part of an employer’s responsibility. After all, employers don’t seem to concern themselves with the emotional needs of their employees; a certain set of emotional predispositions is required of anyone in a work environment. Continue reading

Hiding under Desk

Accommodating Bipolar Disorder in the Workplace, Part I: Disclosure and Stigma

This is part one of a series. Part two, which is on scheduling, can be found here. Part three, which is on emotional support, can be found here.

Bipolar disorder, as well as being a mental illness, is also a disability. It is protected in the United States under the Americans With Disabilities Act, while in Canada it is protected under provincial Human Rights Acts. Continue reading