Work and Bipolar Disorder: It has been nine years! Why do I keep thinking this illness is going to change?

Here is what I’ve learned regarding bipolar disorder and work. 

1. It’s hard to work when you have mood swings. So, decreasing the mood swings with a treatment plan (I use my Health Cards system and my books to remind myself how to help myself!) will help you work more.

2. Bipolar Disorder mood swings can be productivity killers. Especially the ADHD components of  the illness.  Mania is seemingly great for productivity- but only if you can harness it into real work!

3. Work abililty may not get better, but YOUR ability to work around your mood swings and the other odd stuff that bipolar throws at you can get much, much better.

So, here I am.

I was diagnosed in 1995. Didn’t get relief from meds- in fact they made me worse as I was given anti depressants like candy!  When I created the Health Cards, I was able to work a lot more- but [ Read More ]





Depression in the Workplace: Call for submissions from Esperanza Magazine

I write a column for BP Magazine (Bipolar Magazine). I love this work and love the magazine. If you don’t have a subscription, it’s so worth it for those with bipolar, family members, partners and health care professionals. And of course you can read my column!

BP Magazine has a sister magazine that focuses on Depression. It also is a superb magazine that talks with many high profile people about depression and how it affects their lives as well as those who face depression daily while not in the spotlight. Esperanza is asking for your ideas on how you deal with depression in the workplace. All of us with bipolar illness have plenty of depression, so I know that your ideas will be valuable. Here is the link for the submission:

Esperanza Magazine Survey

I know your [ Read More ]





What is it like to work with Julie A. Fast???

During the time that I have been working with Julie, Ive seen the challenges faced by someone with Bipolar disorder.  I’ve witnessed the day when it was difficult for her to sit still and even focus because her thoughts were bouncing everywhere. It was hard for me to know how to help her get refocused. She is teaching me what I can do to help.  I’ve also been a part of a morning that was a “girl to girl” chat just to clear the thoughts so that a work focus could be resumed and maintained. 

 There is so much that can be learned from working with someone who has bipolar illness.  The discipline of taking care of yourself and planning in detail what you intend to do have been a good addition to my daily routine. There is also a time to be flexible and work back around to the needed focus.  I’ve also learned to watch my [ Read More ]





Posted on December 1st, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: About Julie

Work and Bipolar: OH! It can be so hard!

Here is a story from Sandra that is so amazing- you will read it like a novel! Sandra writes so eloquently about the challenges of having bipolar and how much you can and can’t say at work. I tell everyone about my bipolar. Everyone- but I do know it can be hard for some to understand! Here is the story and my response after. Sandra send her comment in response to another reader Jenn who has offered some great advice on the blog as well.

Hi Jenn,

Thank you so much for your very kind and helpful reply. I find myself unable to concentrate or “move” productively, so I will follow my own advice and write a list of what I’d like to do – in small chunks. As I’m writing this, I’m actually shaking; I’m so worried about Monday. Let me explain.

One of my colleagues saw me upset at lunchtime as I was returning [ Read More ]





A holiday gift- giving advice!

Hi Everyone,

Most of us know Sandra and what happened with her at school- so many people responded the last time she asked for help. I am really so appreciative of people on this blog.  Always know that you can send a blog post here asking for help from readers and I will post it. We can all help each other- from having the illness to being a loved one or a health care professional- we all have great advice.  Sandra wrote before- you can read her blog post here

http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/?s=sandra+and+the+teacher

and the amazing comments that followed. Here is her update.

Here is the new request from Sandra:

I could use a little advice – TLC – anything right now.  I know that the people at work are well-meaning and truly have their hearts in the right place, but they are driving me crazy with their intrusiveness of late!

Yesterday, before leaving school, one [ Read More ]





Lisa’s advice on bipolar disorder and school

Cherise left a commnent on the www.bipolarhappens.com/bhblog about going to school when you have bipolar disorder. Many people have trouble with bipolar and school! I know I did. It took me eight years to get a degree- it doesn’t matter how we go to school or how long it takes to reach our goals- it just matters that we keep going. [ Read More ]





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