10 JOB TIPS -- (Living With Bipolar Disorder)

Avoid call centers at all costs!!! They either made me have mixed episodes or depression or psychosis.

The best job I had for my Bipolar 1 was working part-time on an organic produce farm in Kauai. Sleeping outside, waking up just before sunrise, getting lots of sun and physical labor done in the morning, eating fresh food, having community and support, and flexibility if I needed breaks or to move a shift to another day. I was thriving! The worst job was the overnight shifts in a very busy burrito restaurant doing front of house and 15 other things at once, 50 hours a week. I ended up in the ER within 2 months. Your environment can really make or break you.

The one thing that I absolutely cannot take is a toxic boss. Makes me manic as hell.

I'm a professional dishwasher and it's great for me people don't bother me and I get to work at my pace.

Having bipolar at work is a tough and tricky thing. I’ve got soooooooo much going through my brain that sometimes I’m not paying 100% attention to my duties at work. In the final analysis I make stupid mistakes and my boss is noticing. I got yelled at the other day for a minor infraction and it triggered a 9 hour bipolar mania session that wiped me out pretty good. I scared the hell out of my wife. I don’t want to tell my boss I’ve got this mental illness but I might have too.

I work at a plant nursery part-time. no monotonous music, no loud cashier noises and bustle of customers, the people I do encounter are chill old people and happy hipsters😁when I'm overstimulated I have the liberty to hide away trimming flowers avoiding people for a bit. walking around and lifting fertilizers. the most taxing part is answering questions about plants I'm not familiar with.

Working at a doctors office was the worst job I ever had, because believe it or not the medical field is not always the most understanding.

I was a floral designer. It was perfect for me. I could create, socialize, and pace myself. My "quirks" weren't as apparent or frowned upon. Big relief not having to explain myself.

I was a flight attendant for 8 years, mostly in medicated. Most of the time it was great. Not having to work 9-5, which I don’t think I could have done. But when it was bad, it was hard. I would just call of sick from the trip. Now I am an interior designer, my own business. This is the best because I set my own hours and creative work helps me stay out of depression!

I am a young person, just into my first adult job. I have had to leave many part time jobs because of my mental health (factories, restaurants) and sometimes my bosses claimed that they had no idea I was struggling. No one can truly understand what you’re going through if you don’t bring it up (in a safe situation, of course). If you bring it up and something changes, great. If you bring it up and something doesn’t change, you know that’s a sign to leave. The biggest thing that I have learned is that no one can advocate for you better than yourself.

I'm very sensitive with jobs.....I mean yes I don't mind making MONEY...but I do prefer an environment where I feel safe and calm. Also I can easily say that for me personally, I cannot be around Food or Money....math was horrible for me in school unless it was simple addition and subtraction. Also since I'm trying to work on my self and slow people interactions, a job for me right now would be like playing a game of GO and STOP. It's gonna be ME first then worry about jobs after.

Working at a homeless shelter is the best. I am so inspired by the bipolar warriors there! Keep strong and courageous everyone 💪

Been working 23 years full time as an ICU nurse. It would not have been possible without a good boss and nice colleagues! I've allways been open about my condition (BP 2). For the last 6 years working as a travelling nurse, less hours and loooong breakes ..

I'm at a point where I'm leaving my job of 25 years come 12/3. I've learned that I need to step away from toxic conditions. This video was just what I needed. Thank you. It gives me hope for finding something that will be a good fit for me.

This is an awesome video! My worst job was working in a kitchen at a busy restaurant, I started when I was manic and things escalated and got worse for me. My best job was working as a delivery driver for a florist!

I commented several months ago but wanted to provide an update. After 20 years of white knuckling through awful, unaccommodating jobs I am finally at one that works. I'm going through a particularly tough episode and I decided to be brave and request a medical accommodation to work from home and be able to have the freedom to decide when I am well enough to go into the office. This is a complete game changer for me and I hope it inspires others to speak up about their needs. I know it can be difficult and this doesn't work for every job, but keep in mind your rights. Bipolar disorder is considered a disability under the ADA. You deserve to make a living without killing yourself. I wish this for everyone struggling with these difficult situations 💙

I'm a teacher working from home and it can be challenging to have lessons during the depression, but I found a way to ease the pressure by telling my students from the beginning that I can have bad periods, fortunately they understand and accept even me cancelling lessons. Thank you for your work!

Several positions in Corporate IT for about 15 years. I don't think I'd recommend it as a top option for bipolar due to the stress, high pressure, and impact on sleep it can have.

It's wonderful to be able to hone in on what you need long term but unfortunately most people take jobs because they absolutely have to. I worked so many terrible jobs with terrible hours and terrible people bc I didn't have a choice. The government assistance the past year I think has really given people an opportunity to step back, reevaluate, and get into something they actually enjoy. But of course you get the "people just don't want to work" comments. People just don't want to work and be miserable. We all deserve better.

The worst job for me healthwise was processing Medicaid applications over the phone. It was extremely rewarding and fulfilling to help get people the aid they needed. 40 hours a week on the phone was very draining however which left me overstimulated and emotionally vulnerable. Sometimes there are people who desperately need aid from the state, but still fall through the cracks due to being ineligible for one reason or another. Those calls were heartbreaking and weighed on me too much, so I had to quit. Now I'm doing data entry from home. It's much better now that I can control my working environment and my coworkers don't even notice my highs or lows from behind a screen.