Best Jobs for People with Bipolar Disorder: Careers, Challenges, and Success Strategies
Best Jobs for People with Bipolar Disorder: Careers, Challenges, and Success Strategies The last two weeks have been a bit hectic, as I’ve taken on the director role of a major non-profit organisation. I feel proud that I am able to take on such a role; however, I would not have taken such a position in previous years. Jobs for people with bipolar disorder can be a challenge for many years. In fact, many people with bipolar disorder claim disability aid due to the severity of their illness. I want to begin by saying that jobs for bipolar people are not unattainable. Just check out our previous post related to 5 successful bipolar businessmen For more, check out my book The Five Pillars of Bipolar Recovery, book and masterclass. You can also check out my free resources. 3 Essential Keys to Succeed in Jobs for Bipolar People: Routine, Flexibility, and Low-Stress During the acute phases of bipolar disorder, I found it quite challenging to be at my best at work. I wasn’t surprised to learn that 40–60% of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder are unemployed. That statistic hit me hard, because it made me worry whether jobs for bipolar people were even possible. I started to feel like I might never achieve success in my career, which then led to very dark feelings and a sense of worthlessness. Believe me—I know exactly how heavy that can feel. At the same time, I realized that I wasn’t alone in my struggle in keeping a job. I learned to be merciful with myself as my body was healing. I was able to tell myself that it was a big deal to hold any job while dealing with the extremes of depression and mania. I learned to forgive myself daily for not being able to do even the most basic tasks. So what did I do? I started looking up ideal jobs for people with bipolar disorder. The three features that helped me were flexibility in schedule, low-stress, and routine work. Here is what I wrote down: Examples of Ideal Jobs for Someone with Bipolar Disorder Are there high-paying job Titles for Bipolar People? At the beginning of your journey, I advise clients to evaluate the role of healing and recovery in relation to pursuing their career dreams. When I first received my diagnosis, I was at the top of my game. I was crushing it in my graduate studies at an Ivy League university when I started to show grave signs of mania. When the doctors put me on medication, I was unable to pursue my studies further. And man was it tough letting go of that dream. I had to learn to be okay with it, and I advise you to do the same. I decided to focus on my recovery for two years with a low-stree job before jumping back into the corporate world and starting my own business. So what are some high paying career paths for someone with bipolar disorder? What did I do? I became a farmer! I had always wanted to become part of the local, seasonal agriculture scene because of the ecology books I read in college. Working outside helped me relieve anxious energy, feel great in the fresh air and son, and exhausted my body for bedtime. It worked very well! Careers for People With Bipolar Disorder: Frequently Asked Questions Should you tell your Employer? This is a personal choice. There are disabilities laws in place that prevent discrimination just because you have the diagnosis. If you are able to demonstrate ability to do your job well, you should not have to worry about being judged for handling your condition. However, if your case is still severe, it is important to have an open conversation with your employer about your health so that they can work with you. They ultimately have a business to run, so it is about finding a job that the right fit for where you are in your healing journey. And if you feel like you can handle yourself without telling your employer, you’re not obligated to tell so long as it does not interfere with your work. Unfortunately, there is still stigma around mental illness and some people feel nervous that bipolar is a reason for not being promoted or one’s opinions valued. Because of this blog, I really can’t hide the fact that I have struggled with mental illness. But this sort of opennes has allowed me great networking opportunities. I’ve learned that people find inspiration in talking about mental health in the workplace. Just like there are people at jobs who can openly talk about diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, I want to normalize talking about chronic mental illness like bipolar disorder in the workplace. Worst Jobs for Bipolar: Careers to Be Careful With Any job that is the opposite of routine, flexible, and low-stress is going to create challenges. Best Jobs for Bipolar Females? We are fortunate to live in a world where women have made many strides to be treated as equals in the workplace. Similarly, there have been many advances this century to protect people living with chronic mental illness from discrimination. My answer to these questions is twofold: (1) bipolar females should consider the same rule of seeking jobs that are routine, flexible, and low-stress; (2) jobs that women naturally fall into, for the most part, are also ideal for women with bipolar disorder. This does not, however, mean that women with bipolar disorder can’t go into fields that are dominated by men. How Does Being Bipolar Affect Your Job? The effects of bipolar on job performance are manifold: Is It Hard for Bipolar People to Keep a Job? Unfortunately, the data reflects an undeniable YES to this question. With 40-60% of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder unemployed, the challenges of this chronic illness highlighted above do make it challenging to keep a job. But, open communication with your employer and a good routine like the Five