Keeping a job with bipolar disorder is hard due to extreme mood swings affecting energy, focus, and relationships, coupled with workplace stressors, stigma, and challenges with routine, leading to performance issues, absenteeism (from depressive lows or manic overcommitment), and difficulties with concentration, decision-making, and social interactions. Mania can cause impulsivity and overcommitment, while depression brings lack of motivation, energy, and cognitive impairment, making consistent performance and managing relationships difficult, but treatment and workplace support can help.
Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by recurrent mood episodes and profound impairments in psychosocial functioning. Occupational disability is one of the most problematic impairments for individuals with BD due to high rates of unemployment and work impairments.
Both manic and depressive episodes can cause significant difficulties in all aspects of life, including at home, work and school. They may require specialized care to prevent the person from doing harm to themselves or others. Some people with bipolar disorder may experience what are called hypomanic episodes.
Tips for Managing Bipolar Disorder at Work
These strategies can lessen disruptions in your life due to bipolar disorder:
However, many people with bipolar disorder have found the following tools to be helpful in reducing symptoms and maintaining wellness:
You can use a 48 hour rule where you wait at least 2 full days with 2 nights sleep before acting on risky decisions. Review your decision to avoid a tempting, but risky, behaviour.
Jobs that offer flexible hours: This could include working from home, part-time, or having a job with a rotating schedule. Jobs that are low-stress: This could include jobs that are not customer-facing, that do not have tight deadlines, or that are not physically demanding.
You can receive disability for bipolar disorder if your condition prevents you from working. The key factor is demonstrating how severely your symptoms affect your ability to maintain employment and function in daily life.
How many hours should a bipolar person sleep? People should try to sleep at least 7 hours per night, regardless of whether they have a condition such as bipolar disorder.
Positive psychological traits of spirituality, empathy, creativity, realism, and resilience are frequently observed in bipolar individuals [239]. By gaining a better appreciation for the positive aspects of mental illness and exploring methods to enhance these traits, we may improve clinical outcomes [240].
Stick to a routine
Day-to-day activities, such as the time you eat meals and go to sleep. Making time for relaxation, mindfulness, hobbies and social plans. Taking any medication at the same time each day. This can also help you manage side effects and make sure there's a consistent level in your system.
Living alone with bipolar disorder is possible with proper treatment adherence, support systems, and personalized safety plans. Managing medication independently requires strategic planning and the use of reminder tools to maintain consistency.
Jobs to Avoid with Bipolar Disorder
Some jobs may be less suitable for individuals with bipolar disorder due to their high-stress or inconsistent nature. Examples include: Emergency services (ER nurse, paramedic, firefighter) Teaching (high-pressure classroom environments)
If your mental health condition is preventing you from working, one of your primary options is to explore long-term disability benefits. Many people have short-term or long-term disability insurance through their employer.
Depressive episodes are periods of feeling low. They last at least two weeks but can last much longer, sometimes for months. Like manic or hypomanic episodes, they can severely disrupt your everyday life. Severe depression may require medication or a stay in hospital.
The NDIS funds several critical services for people with Bipolar Disorder. These include personal care support, community access support, nutritional support, skills development, transport, household tasks, and behavioural support.
Introduction
What benefits can I apply for if I have a mental health condition?
Prolonged mental health issues might have a significant impact on a person's ability to perform at work. For example, people with bipolar disorder may experience mood swings that cause fluctuations in their productivity at work. Severe anxiety episodes can make it hard to concentrate and finish tasks.
End-Stage Bipolar Disorder: Constant, severe symptoms that no longer respond to traditional treatments. Life expectancy is reduced by approximately 12 to 14 years in people with bipolar disorder, with a 1.6-fold to 2-fold increase in cardiovascular mortality.
Mood-stabilizing medicines help control manic or hypomanic episodes. They also may help depressive bouts. Examples include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid, divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote ER), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).
Those with bipolar I depression were mainly hospitalized in summer and winter, whereas for bipolar II depression most admissions for depression occurred in the spring and summer.
With careful management and support, health professionals can and do work successfully with bipolar disorder. It is important to maintain a reasonable level of contact with the employee whilst they are off work, although there may be times where the employee does not feel well enough to talk.
Watching someone you love struggle with Bipolar Disorder can be equally challenging and exhausting. Seeing your loved one experience hopelessness, frequent crying spells, social and career frustrations, and feelings of worthlessness can be heartbreaking.