Getting ridiculous !!!

I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Type 2 Rapid Cycling for over 3 years now, I've been on 19 different medications(Currently on 5) and have been hospitalized 8 times due to suicidal ideation or attempts. Im going to see a new doctor since I just moved which is on 5/28 and I've heard all he wants patients to do is quit work and go on disability. Yeah my job could be a big trigger(working in a inpatient mental health hospital) but is fulfilling when I'm stable. I just want to know what others are doing when it comes to missing work or feeling unstable long enough or how have you coped with going through the grab bag of medications trying to find the right setup?

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear you're struggling so much, and the multiple suicide attempts and hospitalisations must have been very traumatic. Despite this, you're managing to work and help people with mental health issues, which is a major achievement.

My bipolar has interfered with studying and working a lot over the years, so I can definitely relate. At university, disability services were extremely supportive- organising extensions for essays and exam resits as first attempts when I was unwell. I was there for five years full time and graduated with a Masters.

At the moment I'm stable but only working part-time, and my work history since graduation five years ago has been patchy. I've successfully worked full-time, but only for six months maximum at each stretch. At times, usually when depressed, I haven't been able to work at all. The stress of full time work abroad threw me into mania in 2011, and in between I've tried to 'push through' depression, hypo mania and mixed episodes to work... Which didn't turn out well!

Since Sept '12 I've been concentrating on treating the bipolar first and putting work second, which is very frustrating and makes me dependent on family, although necessary.

Anyway, I don't say all this to discourage you, just to relate my experience. Many people with MI do manage to work full time, even though it might sometimes be necessary to take sick leave or get reasonable accommodations for the disability.

When it comes to medication, the trial and error process can be exhausting, but is worth it in the end. I hope you're lucky enough to have a good, understanding psychiatrist who can work with you on finding the right combination. Don't be afraid to push for a second opinion if you're not satisfied with treatment, and it's helped me to lean on friends, family and my therapist for support while struggling with mood instability. Hope this helps. Take care.