Career/work options for people with BPD

I have looked through a few pages on this forum and cant find anything on this topic, and I am very confused about it.
I am wondering what any of you BPD folks do for work, and if you went into something that would sort of nourish the disorder, or if you just kept the job that you had and sort of just suck it up?

I don't have a job at the moment as I am not stable enough, but I have run myself dry and I really need to find work soon. I am afraid though because I don't have a good track record with jobs and I really don't want to start another job that I am just going to inevitably leave anyway, and tack on some more guilt to all that I already feel.

So, where do you guys stand on this topic?

i dont think of a borderline as anyone different in terms of job requirements.

its different for everyone. for me, i'd be happy if my work place had
a friend
a gym
high salary
work wasn't much
no intimidating colleagues

I've noticed a lot of Borderlines are drawn to caring professions, like as therapists, etc. I started to pursue a career in therapy but I don't think I'm well enough now, it seems too emotionally intense.

Currently I work in kind of an artistic field and I have my own business. It working for me. I'm an entrepreneur.

Not all Borderlines have the same interests or talents of course so it would be different for each one.

Have you taken the Meyers Briggs test? That also helps come up with career options that fit your personality. Many BPDs are INFP but not all of course. I think many seem to like quiet work that doesn't involve a lot of human interaction, such as at a library, bookstore, etc., maybe working with children, or pets, many have also said they had success in sales because they are good at reading people, but I think that is better for extroverts.

jaus tail wrote:i dont think of a borderline as anyone different in terms of job requirements.

its different for everyone. for me, i'd be happy if my work place had
a friend
a gym
high salary
work wasn't much
no intimidating colleagues

Hey there,
Yea sorry I should have been more specific.
The BPD people that I have come into contact with all seem to be very flighty with work, unless they really really love doing their job. And even then, it seems that that can change very quickly. I am definitely like that. I am curious how anyone in this forum may deal with that. Again with either just sucking it up or making sure that you do a job that will be fulfilling. Hope that makes sense.

-- Wed Mar 04, 2015 11:30 am --

justagirl00 wrote:I've noticed a lot of Borderlines are drawn to caring professions, like as therapists, etc. I started to pursue a career in therapy but I don't think I'm well enough now, it seems too emotionally intense.

Currently I work in kind of an artistic field and I have my own business. It working for me. I'm an entrepreneur.

Not all Borderlines have the same interests or talents of course so it would be different for each one.

Have you taken the Meyers Briggs test? That also helps come up with career options that fit your personality. Many BPDs are INFP but not all of course. I think many seem to like quiet work that doesn't involve a lot of human interaction, such as at a library, bookstore, etc., maybe working with children, or pets, many have also said they had success in sales because they are good at reading people, but I think that is better for extroverts.

Thank you for the response. That makes a lot of sense. I really really want a career working with animals. That would be so fulfilling to me.

I never lasted in a job more than a year and a half before. I always left. Now, I work at home. (knock on wood.) Well, I can't recommend a specific company or anything but sometimes ads are posted that are real work at home jobs. It really caters to all of my quirks.

Mary24 wrote:I never lasted in a job more than a year and a half before. I always left. Now, I work at home. (knock on wood.) Well, I can't recommend a specific company or anything but sometimes ads are posted that are real work at home jobs. It really caters to all of my quirks.

Hey Mary,

That is so cool!! Working at home would be soo awesome too! I am glad for you that you have found something that works for you.
The longest job that I have had has been 8 months. I have been working for 11 years now. Its pretty ridiculous.

Good luck and I hope that this career works out for you and that you flourish

Jess

I have been in the same job for five years. It is definitely a record for me.
The job is permanent, regular office hours, no overtime. I work with people, but not continuously with the same people.
Taking into account other aspects of life, I could not do just anything, or the daily schedule is a problem.

But frankly I'm bored.

Something that I have noticed in myself, I have a number of art, music, design - related interests. But I explicitly chose not to have them as a career. Since I'd always associate them with some kind of passion. Passion is great with hobbies, too much as a job. Unstable.

jesse_89_may wrote:

Mary24 wrote:I never lasted in a job more than a year and a half before. I always left. Now, I work at home. (knock on wood.) Well, I can't recommend a specific company or anything but sometimes ads are posted that are real work at home jobs. It really caters to all of my quirks.

Hey Mary,

That is so cool!! Working at home would be soo awesome too! I am glad for you that you have found something that works for you.
The longest job that I have had has been 8 months. I have been working for 11 years now. Its pretty ridiculous.

Good luck and I hope that this career works out for you and that you flourish

Jess

Awww... Thanks, Jess. That's so nice. Yea, I'm hoping this job lasts forever. haha. Ok, I keep having to type 'knock on wood' whenever I mention it because I'm kind of OCD like that. So, (Knock on wood.) Yea, I've had a billion jobs in the past.

I have an office job, but it's more of a support role. I'm away from the general masses, and given freedom to go where I want and get away from them as I choose. Back in January, I was also picked up by an art gallery for my photography. I know, surprise, huh? A borderline with a creative side.

Hey Jess all the people on this list have MH issues. All have worked at their respective jobs over 3 years, all have attended therapy for MH or addictions.

BPD/Introvert-CPA

BPD/Extrovert-Bail Bonds/Bounty h.

BPD/Introvert-Retail Pharmacist

BPD/introvert- Merchant Marine/ work on cargo ships/tugs/ferries

NPD- Lawyer,MD, Software Des., Engineer-Males

BPD/extrovert-nurse-female

BPD/Extrovert- works on ramp at airport-male-this guy is in a different city each weekend

BPD/Introvert-CPA

BPD/Male-High School English Teacher

Club Bouncer-BPD/Avoidant

BPD/Male-graphic design

Roadie-BPD-Ambivert

College Professor-Art History-BPD-Introvert-Female

College professor-Finance-Histrionic-Female

Male-stock broker-BPD/Extrovert

male-exchange trader/BPD-Extrovert

male-bank trader-BPD/AV/AS-Introvert

Male-Histrionic/extrovert-advertising

Male/BPD/Histrionic-Bartender