How to Maintain a Job When You Have Bipolar Disorder

A person with bipolar disorder has difficulty just maintaining their life, much less a job. A job entails the type of stressors that can bring on episodes in a person with bipolar disorder. These stressors are multiple tasks, deadlines, dealing with co-workers and bosses. There are several things a person with bipolar disorder can do to cope with the stresses presented by a job.

If you are on medication, make sure you take it as prescribed. If you are not on medication, see a doctor to determine whether you should be. Besides medication, take inventory of your life everyday. You should question all aspects of your life and health. It takes hard work to maintain the proper balance in your life in order to function in a job.

Because bipolar disorder can be a disabling condition, consider whether you should disclose your condition to your employer. Disclosure can allow access to job accommodations under the America with Disabilities Act (ADA), but it can also create problems with the employer believing you are not capable of being promoted or even doing your job properly. Not everyone needs job accommodations and therefore do not need to disclose the condition. Most people are afraid to disclose their condition to their employers and co-workers because they are afraid of being stigmatized, demoted, losing their jobs and not being accepted by co-workers.

When you finally take control of your life, then you can live a good, healthy life which can include a job. It is possible to manage bipolar disorder and keep a job without disclosing the information to your employer or co-workers. If the bipolar disorder is severe enough that you believe you may need accommodations under the ADA, then you may have no choice but to disclose it to your employer.