NEW POLL - WORK

[withavengeance]

How many of us are unable to work due to bp II? If so, how many are underemployed and therefore underpaid? Right now, I am unable to work, but I do volunteer a few hours a week at a free medical clinic.

[Jim Buchanan]

I have not worked since May of 2006, before that worked in a good paying job in computer support. The last five years were a nightmare due to BP. Before that I worked 24 years with mostly great results (I had some serious BP issues at work in 1986 as well, that was before I was Dx. I had jno idea what was hitting me then).

[My idol]

Yes, Pam, I am unable to work, also. I had had a career for 18 years as a dental hygienist. I then was hospitalied (my first) and my employer let me go. (I had been fighting depression for many months and he didn't like all the drugs I had been taking, even though they were all prescribed! ) I possibly had not been working up to par. I had been very good prior to the depression. Once out of the hospital, i took some time off to recover. Afterwards, I worked a couple of entry level jobs with terrible results. I experienced some strong anger, mania and anxiety. It was not a happy time for me. After the last bout of severe anxiety, I walked out and never returned to a paying job again. I think that was in 1995. I'm not sure, though. My memory has been destroyed by 18 ECT's.

Since my employment days, I've volunteered at the public library. After a while, that didn't work out because of other medical problems. So now I'm a homemaker and proud of it. I take care iof my mother who lives with me and (when I can drive) I'm kept busy with both of our appointments. I'm happy like this. I can work at my own pace and rest as needed.

Between the Parkinsonism and the bipolar employment is out of the question, now. Though, I sometimes miss work, I'm okay with being home.
Best wishes,
Linda

[Jim Buchanan]

Interesting, I started having bad trouble at work after my first hospitalization too. I don't think that there is a cause and effect relationship there for me though. I feel that I wound up in the hospital for the same reason that I was starting to have trouble at work, the bp was geting worse.

[Lise]

I work 30 hours a week and it's a struggle a lot of the time. I left work today bc of anxiety and the ongoing depression. I have to be careful that I don't use too much sick time. in 2007 I had a couple of hospitalizations and the way my employer handled it was to give me a terrible annual review, presumably so if it happened again, I could be let go. I'm definitely underpaid. I would like to find a new job but am really scared of a change and being able to handle the adjustment to learning a new job. I would like to work less, my doc and therapist would like that as well, but I have sons in college, and I have to work 30 hours to get the health benefits. up until June, I actually was working 40 hours but had my hours cut back, which in hindsight was a blessing. 20 hours would probably be optimal.

[withavengeance]

With the economy being what it is, hopefully you'll get that 20 hours (the economy is a blessing for some of us, isn't it?).

But yet again, discrimination for simply being sick mentally. Had you been sick physically, I bet you would've gotten flowers, cards, sympathy, visitors, meals made and more. And I bet you didn't get any of that.

Yep, the stigma is alive and well.

[withavengeance]

Linda, that employer should have been reported to the ADA for discrimination. However, I know that when we're sick, we just don't have the energy to follow through and it takes a TON of energy.

I'm so glad to know that you've found happiness doing 'unpaid' work...if you got a paycheck for all you do at home, with your mom, etc., you'd be one very rich (monetarily at least) woman!

xoxoxoxo

[withavengeance]

Okay, so far only one of us who've replied is able to work, albeit with a struggle. The health insurance thing is a big reason to keep working...I did it myself for years. Somehow, I was able to keep it together. I honestly don't know how I did. I hope to be able to work again in the future; some days I miss it as well. Work is a part of many of our identities, as it is for 'normal' people. And I was dammed good at what I did, too.

[Lise]

I hope you can too Pam, if that is what you want. after all, you were 'damned good' :-)
if only there were jobs out there that work for people with bp, where there'd be understanding, a flexible schedule, low stress, whatever it might take to make it doable. maybe there are, I just don't know of any.
also, I wish society would value unpaid work more than it does. everyone contributes in some way, and we need to be respectful of that and not value one higher than another.

[Kelton Smith]

I've worked at the same job for the past 13 years and carried a second job for a little over a year.

[Bob's My Uncle]

Hi Pam ... Well your question is a bit hard to understand... If anyone is unable to work, then they are not paid at all, thus they are not employed at all. :-) I'm working ... sort of.

Do I count if I have BP I ??? I am the work related issues facilitator for our local bipolar organization so I see a lot of different people who's careers are compromised by BP.

For a few years now, I have been working at three different jobs and as mentioned a volunteer. How much I work at each one is my choice. I have mostly been working for myself on my home this summer because it costs less for me to do the work than a hired contractor. I get along better with me than a contractor anyway. So with exception of 2 days a week, I basically worked on my house all summer and in Sept 6 days a week.

I don't pick the hard jobs I used to do (software development), I also warn my clients that I do not work under stress. So if they want me to finish the contract ... no stress.

With around 4% of American adults having some form of Bipolar at some time in their lifetime (Medical News Today), we have to know that a lot must be working. My physician tells me that 85% of his patients are working full time. This is not imperical evidence but it does say that not all are sick enough to stop working.

I know from those I have talked to that some take a career change to something less stressful. Others have re-educated and two I know got their doctorates and another their masters degree.

[withavengeance]

Okay, two more working bp's to add to the poll. That makes three so far.

Looks like some of us have some flexibility in our jobs and that's what we need! I know for me, the 9 to 5 drudgery is the pits! But we gotta do what we gotta do.

I'd love to be able to find a job where I could work from home, at least part of the time. I'm a team player when I need to be, but I prefer working alone.

Keep the poll going.....

And Bob, we don't care if you're bp I...we're happy to have you with us here :D

[Bob's My Uncle]

I just talked to one of our facilitators she is also an administrator at our org. She has been associated with our org for 7 years. She says about 75% of easily 100's of people she has met are working bipolars.

This may or may not help you.

I do have tips for non working bipolars if you are interested.