People with bipolar disorder can live a good life, be happy and be successful—just like anybody else. In fact, you might be surprised to find out that some of the greatest and most creative minds have had bipolar disorder. Some of their greatest work has been done during their darkest times.
In a survey conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, almost nine out of every 10 people with bipolar disorder said the illness had affected their job performance. More than half said they thought they had to change jobs or careers more often than others.
Can People with Bipolar Disorder Work? People with bipolar disorder can work, but they may face challenges. Many mental health conditions can make it difficult for a person to carry out day-to-day responsibilities, especially in the workplace.
It's important to avoid too much stress, including work-related stress. If you're employed, you may be able to work shorter hours or in a more flexible way, particularly if job pressure triggers your symptoms. Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make the employment of people with disabilities possible.
For people with bipolar disorder, it is important to find a job that doesn't trigger symptoms. Ideal jobs may include daytime work and a flexible schedule. People with bipolar disorder should avoid shift work. People with bipolar disorder may find working in a relaxed job in a creative environment more satisfying.
1. Mariah Carey. Singer, songwriter, actress and producer Mariah Carey has won too many awards to list. The iconic artist opened up in 2018 about her 2001 diagnosis of bipolar disorder, in which she was hospitalized for a physical and mental breakdown.
Some individuals with bipolar see a link between their diagnosis and their high achievement—sometimes as a result of hypomania's enhanced energy and creativity levels and sometimes because of the degree of focus and self-management required to address symptoms and prevent or cope with mood swings.
And even the genius of geniuses, Albert Einstein, was known to experience periods of extreme productivity and deep despair, which nowadays would most likely be diagnosed as bipolar.
Absolutely. In fact, bipolar disorder is considered to be one of the few mental health conditions that is highly likely to cause a significant and long-term psychosocial disability.
Most studies with samples of people with established bipolar disorder suggest approximately 40-60% of people are in employment.
Additionally, mean annual household income for patients with bipolar disorder was $43,662, compared with $96,319 in the general population.
Many people with bipolar disorder find they do best in a quiet, relaxed workspace where they can easily concentrate. Think about the schedule. Part-time work or a job with a flexible schedule are good options. Daytime hours are generally best.
After a manic or hypomanic episode you might: Feel very unhappy or ashamed about how you behaved. Have made commitments or taken on responsibilities that now feel unmanageable. Have only a few clear memories of what happened during your episode, or none at all.
In a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, negative or stressful life events were associated with subsequent mood episodes. It appears that earlier in their course, episodes of depression or mania in bipolar disorder are triggered more often by stressful life events.
The life expectancy for someone with bipolar disorder is approximately 67 years old. A 2021 study researched the effect of bipolar disorder on longevity and found that: risk of death is 2.6 times greater than the general population. the average life span is between 8–12 years shorter than the general population.
Bipolar disorder may worsen with age or over time if the condition is left untreated. As time goes on, a person may experience episodes that are more severe and more frequent than when symptoms first appeared.
Bipolar disorder can cause your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low. Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.
High Achievement with Bipolar Disorder
Seemingly, the traits that make high achievers—energy, confidence, unconventional thinking, and a high tolerance for risk—are also linked to the milder stages of hypomania. There's a reason bipolar has been called a “CEO's disease.”
Absolutely. Parents with bipolar disorder can still be “good” parents. Someone with bipolar disorder has the same capacity to love and make mistakes as any other person. Mind.org details an account of a mom with bipolar disorder who internalizes how the condition affects her kids.
Some people living with bipolar disorder may have difficulty completing tasks, including personal hygiene and chores. This could lead you to face cluttering, messiness, and disorganization during episodes of both mania or depression.
They found that 12 risk genes for bipolar disorder were also linked to intelligence. In 75 % of these genes, bipolar disorder risk was associated with higher intelligence. In schizophrenia, there was also a genetic overlap with intelligence, but a higher proportion of the genes was associated with cognitive impairment.