Working with bipolar

[Xila31]

This is the first time I've had a full time job for this long in my life. I've almost been working for 2 years and I only started meds last week. Previously my longest job lasted 6 months and it was only 4 hours a day. It is so hard. I heard some peole meantion that you get worse as you get older. I believe that is true since last year was terrible for me. I always feel like I'm losing my grip and I used to be stronger than this. It is so hard to be here every day and focus. I have lost my focus. I thought the meds were really helping last week, but today and over the weekend it isn't working. I'm guessing that is why after 2 weeks I need to up the dose.

I have no choice and have to work for my family, so I force myself to be here and struggle every day. I've been cycling hypo manic for a while now. I know I was depressed at mother's day. I hate mother's day, but then I cycled up. No focus, no concentration, heat palpatations, anger, anxiety, frustration, racing thoughts, talking too much. It is so hard to type this.

How many others work full time? Does it get better as the meds start to work? My husband said that if the meds don't help I shouldn't take them.

[ILADVOCATE]

It depends on a person's response rate to a particular medication. If one doesn't work you could speak to your psychiatrist about what else is available. Things should stabilize over time.

[Xila31]

I really just want to know if the medicine helps a lot or if I should continue to expect cycles.

[ILADVOCATE]

No if your psychiatrist determines you need medications you should take them. You can set up reasonable accomodations around any difficulties you encounter from your disability at the workplace. You don't need to disclose it to anyone except for your supervisor and by law they must keep that confidential. You can find out more about accomodations for people  with disabilities at work at your local independent living center:
http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html