Trying to work with bipolar disorder

Trying to work with bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is undoubtedly an affective mood disorder that brings true misery to many millions of people. What makes bipolar so bad? As a playwright once wrote, let me count the ways.

Bipolar disorder, such as major depressive disorder and dysthymia (a milder form of depression), involves feelings of sadness and depression. However, the disease includes more than just depressive episodes. As the name suggests, bipolar disorder involves two separate poles. The second pole includes manic episodes and behaviors. What makes the disease so difficult to manage and treat is the fact that mood swings cause an affected person's moods to alternate between manic and depressive states.

Bipolar patients experience feelings of mania and euphoria when switching between poles, only to later experience depression, guilt and feelings of worthlessness. And what makes the condition particularly difficult is the fact that a bipolar person can suffer from sleep deprivation at either extreme (although a person in a depressed state may have a desire to do nothing but sleep).

Difficulties in maintaining normal sleep cycles are one of the main obstacles for a bipolar patient to work and hold a job, as generally inadequate periods of deep sleep invariably result in an erosion of the ability to sustain attention and concentration. Brain fog due to sleep disorders can lead to errors at work, which employers typically don't like. If persistent sleep disturbances lead to exhaustion and collapse, this can lead to repeated absences from work. Unfortunately for the bipolar person, only a few employers are satisfied with absences of more than two days per month.

Bipolar disorder would be difficult enough to treat if it weren't for the various other conditions that accompany the impairment. What are these conditions? For starters, altered perceptions and thoughts that can lead to delusions and even hallucinatory experiences. Bipolar individuals are also sometimes exposed to suicidal thoughts, which can occur in a depressive or manic episode. And then, of course, there are other behaviors that are considered indicative of low character: irritability, temper tantrums, self-destructive behavior, and attempts to self-medicate through the use of illegal substances, which may occur later. turn to addiction.

However, the main obstacle for a bipolar person may be themselves, especially if they refuse to seek treatment or are inconsistent with treatment adherence. In such cases, the importance of a solid support infrastructure of family and/or friends is paramount.

Can a person with bipolar disorder work? Yes, of course, but the ability to successfully maintain regular employment will most likely be compromised, perhaps to the point where long-term self-sufficiency will be so detrimentally challenged as to be nearly impossible.

Inspired by Timothy Moore