Trying to Work with Bipolar Disorder

by Timothy Moore

Bipolar disorder is, without a doubt, an affective mood disorder that brings true misery to many millions of individuals. What is it about bipolar that makes it so bad? As a playwright once wrote, let me count the ways.

Bipolar disorder, like major depression and dysthymia (a milder form of depression), involves feelings of sadness and depression. However, there's more to the condition than depressive episodes. As the name suggests, bipolar disorder involves two separate poles. The second pole involves manic episodes and behavior and what makes the condition so difficult to deal with and treat is the fact that mood cycling will cause an affected person's moods to alternate between manic and depressive states.

Bipolar patients, as they cycle between poles, will find themselves experiencing feelings of mania and euphoria, only to later experience depression, guilt, and feelings of worthlessness. And what makes the condition especially difficult is the fact that, at either pole, a bipolar person may experience sleep deprivation (though in the depressive state, an

individual may desire to do nothing other than sleep).

Difficulty in the area of maintaining normal sleep cycles is one of the chief impediments facing a bipolar patient who desires to work and hold a job since, generally, inadequate periods of deep level sleep will invariably lead to an erosion of the ability to maintain sustained attention and concentration. Brain fogginess as a result of sleep problems can result in on-the-job mistakes, something employers are not typically fond of. Making matters worse, when continued sleep difficulties lead to exhaustion and collapse, repeat work absences may result. Unfortunately, again, for the bipolar person, few employers are comfortable with work absences that exceed two days per month.

Bipolar disorder would be difficult enough to deal with were it not for the various other conditions that come with the impairment. What are those conditions? For starters, altered perceptions and thinking that can progress to the level of delusions and even hallucinatory experiences. Bipolar persons are also sometimes subject to suicidal

ideations that may be present in a depressive or manic episode. And then, of course, there are the other behaviors that tend to be viewed as indicative of low character: irritability, fits of anger, self-destructive behavior, and attempts to self-medicate through the use of illicit substances that may, later, turn to addiction.

However, the chief obstacle faced by a bipolar individual may be himself, or herself, particularly if they refuse to seek treatment, or are inconsistent with regard to treatment compliance. In such instances, the importance of having a solid support infrastructure composed 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 impaired, perhaps to the point where long-term self-sufficiency is so adversely challenged as to be nearly impossible.

For additional information on bipolar disorder, you may wish to visit The View on Bipolar Disorder.

Other Articles:

What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result...

Symptom of Bipolar Disorder
A person with bipolar disorder usually goes through spells of mania followed by spells of depression. These periods of happiness and sadness are not normal bouts of happiness and sadness that everyone experiences from time to time. Instead, these episodes are intense and may be...

Bipolar: Between a Mother and a Son
This world affords an abundance of challenges for every parent. Society’s standards are ever increasing, yet the day remains a mere twenty-four hours. Juggling different schedules, activities and meals, while trying to cultivate a child’s self-esteem can seem overwhelming at times....