Work Attendance and Bipolar

[hjwm24]

Does anyone find they are missing work due to bipolar?  High times or low times?  How do employers react?

[Bubulous]

Hello and welcome to the forum.  I am sorry you are going through this and if there is anything that we can help you with start a new post by clicking on "ask a question" and it should get some visibility.

[Talula_79]

I have been fired today for bad attendance at work. Her message to be exact was its not that we're not supporting you or that I hate you. It's because your off I'll a lot that we have to let you go. I have had a bad few weeks of depression and panic attacks. I am gutted that it's a few weeks for Xmas and am so angry with myself for losing this perfect job that fitted in so well with the children. I'm now thinking that I can't keep a job ever and what does this mean for the future. I am medicated but still have bad times. I look at jobs and think I want this, this is perfect. Then comes the no motivation, the tiredness, the mood swings, and then the depression and panic attacks will kick in. I want my children to look up to me. My 18 yr old has been also diagnosed and I'm scared that he will learn some of my behaviour to be normal xxx

[alltheprettyflowers]

I dont go out anywhere during certain days when my neurosis is particularly strong. Depression and anxiety and bipolar...but its the neurosis that gets to me and keeps me bound. More of an OCD aspect.

[Bubulous]

I understand you are stressed right now so it is hard to understand exactly what is going on.
Are you taking any medications?  It is ok if you are but I have to understand who I am talking to.
Preemptive awareness is a difficult thing to learn because we cannot see the future.  We can either be looking ahead and glancing at the mirror of the past or looking behind us and crash without warning but there is no stopping life.
That being said there are things that can train us to be prepared for tragedy when it hits.
Welcome to the bipolar forum.  For better assistance I would recommend starting a new question and tell a little bit more about what is going on so that you can get the best advice.

[kellyoregon]

My boss just announced he has prostate cancer. A colleague/friend at work lost his job on Wednesday. Today is Friday, It is now 7:00p I couldn't get out of bed today, I slept 18 hours. I slept last night 9p-6:30a; called in to work then slept another 7a-6p. Still very groggy. Forced myself to get up. Went online to check my finances I’ll be (-$56) at the end of the month. I hate, I hate, I HATE not having any $$. I accidentally stepped on Larry’s (cat) foot a few minutes ago and burst into tears saying I’m so sorry Larry, I wouldn’t hurt you for anything in the world. Then I almost stepped on Mandy’s (cat).

I look online to try to make sense when this happens to me, I search:
Bipolar, stress, lack of sleep, too much sleep, stress triggers, how to avoid the inevitable when I hear stressful news, how it effects me. You can’t stop life. What do I do when I hear something horrible and deal with it before it gets any bigger in my head, my heart, my soul? My Bipolar?

[mmw86]

What kind of a job were you able to find where you set your own hours?  I too am struggling with bipolar and getting in trouble at work for my attendance.  I've been told I should apply for disability but I just don't feel right about not having a job so I continue to struggle in hopes I don't eventually get fired.   Thanks

[a_marie981]

Yes, I was constantly missing work and showing up late or going home early.  I have bipolar type 2 with panic disorder.  I've never been fired for it but have been reprimanded for my attendance many times when trying to work at a job with regularly scheduled hours.  I eventually just applied for disability and got it but still did not feel right not having a job. I eventually found a job that I actually schedule my own hours and days that I work but I;m still on disability because I barely work part-time.

[Bliss1234567]

Please share with us what type of job is good for making your own schedule

[Anneinside]

I am in the US and ADA is the disability anti-discrimination rights law. Its goal is help people with disability hold jobs. I don't know if there is anything equal to it where you live. I found an article about disability law in South Africa here: http://www.legalfrontiers.ca/2010/04/re-defining-disability-in-south-africa-the-social-assistance-amendment-bill/

[Amy4891]

I have missed alot of work due to having bipolar and other illnesses as well. I have gotten fired for it also. It seems to me that alot of places expect you to be able to be a corporate robot and not human. I eventually applied for disability and got it. Now I don't have to deal with people being jerks to me because I have an illness. As you may be able to tell it is a touchy subject for me. It is upsetting when people just don't seem to understand. Good luck on working, but if it becomes too hard for you to work you can always apply for disability.

[Z95]

Yes, I am missing a lot of work due to bipolar and must make constant excuses of why I'm not there or have to leave early or come in late. What is the ADA? Or equivalent for that in South Africa. In South Africa it is still a swear word and we don't put it on as a disability when applying - how do you get around that.

[Anneinside]

Yes, people with bipolar tend to miss work, more because of depression than anything else. What happens... if it goes on too much you get fired. ADA states that you can't be fired because of your disability IF you can perform the primary tasks with or without reasonable accommodations. Showing up to work is a primary function. Also, ADA does not include employers with less than 17 employees.

[Bliss1234567]

3 employees