[acemagoo]

Every where I look it appears that bipolar people are pushed to work, it seems to indicate that all bipolar people can and should work. I can find very little information on the statistics on how many actually work. I did find one report on the net that claimed that 48% actually do not work at all and that a large percentage only work part time.

I know I sound lame, but thinking of work makes me think about suicide. I had a doctor push me to work at least part time, it was as if he wasn't even listening to me. I got so upset about it that I started "practicing" my exit stratagy.

I worked many years with bp not even knowing what was wrong with me. I just thought I had deep emotional problems and there was something wrong with me, but I just didn't know what.

I am now on disability but always scared I am going to lose it and be left homeless again (last time I was homeless for 2 1/2 years) and now with the economy as it is the homeless shelters have waiting lists.

Working stresses me out and makes me very suicidal, but not working and worrying about my disability payments also causes a lot of stress and suicidal thoughts, I feel damed if I do and damed if I don't. All I know for sure is I just can't handle being put in a situation where I have to work or die, I know what I'll do.

Does anyone have links or knowledge of percentages of bp who actually work full time? How many are on disability, etc.

I do go to open bipolar support groups, only a couple of people seem to be on disability. Others are already retired, living with a spouse/parents who support them or they actually are working. But I don't know if that is a good sample base as most seem to have their illness under control, with only a couple with symptoms as severe as mine. I have to wonder if the reality is that most bp's as severe as mine even bother with groups, I know I have a hard time myself going and miss the group frequently.

[bizi]

welcome
I am not versed on the stats for working bipolar folks but know that it is about a 50/50 here on these boards who work.
I work 3/4 time. self employed set my own hours etc.
I am sorry that you struggle with suicidal thoughts, there is a forum for you in that regards here it is called Survivors of suicide...SOS under the general heading at the index. they support people with suicidal depression as well as those who have lost a loved one.
Are you taking a mood stabilizer?
have you ever tried adding abilify to an antidepressant, they advertize that it helps.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

[Mari]

Originally Posted by acemagoo

Does anyone have links or knowledge of percentages of bp who actually work full time? How many are on disability, etc.

Hi,

Welcome. The US gov probably has those statistics somewhere but I cannot figure out have to find them -- I have bipolar and certainly can't sort through the data.

Here is a good link about some bipolar statistics:

http://mentalhealth.gov/statistics/1BIPOLAR_ADULT.shtml

M

[acemagoo]

Originally Posted by bizi

welcome
I am not versed on the stats for working bipolar folks but know that it is about a 50/50 here on these boards who work.
I work 3/4 time. self employed set my own hours etc.
I am sorry that you struggle with suicidal thoughts, there is a forum for you in that regards here it is called Survivors of suicide...SOS under the general heading at the index. they support people with suicidal depression as well as those who have lost a loved one.
Are you taking a mood stabilizer?
have you ever tried adding abilify to an antidepressant, they advertize that it helps.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

Right now I'm on Lamatragine and rispidal. I was on abilify for a couple of years, wow what an expensive drug.

[acemagoo]

Originally Posted by Mari

Hi,

Welcome. The US gov probably has those statistics somewhere but I cannot figure out have to find them -- I have bipolar and certainly can't sort through the data.

Here is a good link about some bipolar statistics:

[M

Some interesting stats.

[bizi]

what is your dose for the lamictal? they can raise it quite a bit. I take a 200mg maintenace dose but I have heard of people taking it at a much higher dose 400mg or higher. so you may need to have that increased ask.
bizi

[acemagoo]

Originally Posted by bizi

what is your dose for the lamictal? they can raise it quite a bit. I take a 200mg maintenace dose but I have heard of people taking it at a much higher dose 400mg or higher. so you may need to have that increased ask.
bizi

250 mg, they are upping it slowly.

[waves]

Hi Ace and welcome.



i am not working right now. i have worked on and off but for the past several years it's been off a lot. i have had increasing difficulty with it over the years. i have worked medicated and unmedicated, but what i found to be the biggest factor for me in terms of how well i could manage, was the human factors in the work environment. i have been able to work through bad depressions given a warm work environment. unfortunately hostile or competitive work environments are much more common.

as far as the not working, i also had a physical injury and migraine increases that complicated things. my migraine increases may have had to do with stress and/or anxiety levels in certain jobs, but that may not be the case. just to let you know bipolar isn't my only problem.

i still resist "disability certification" - they don't pay you anything in the country where i live, no SSDI like thing. it's more akin to getting certified for rights that the AMA covers in the US, then if you work, the employer gets an incentive for hiring you. .

rather, i am looking to change my line of work to something that is .... shall we say, "closer to the heart." stress will be present in any line of work but i think it will be a different kind. i am working on stress tolerance in therapy. it is also something that one need not do full time whereas my former field was always full time andthensome, deadlines, high pressure.

first i have to feel better. i am depressed right now and also recovering from sensory overwhelm, as well as addressing in therapy the issues that i feel have most impacted me in previous jobs, and that will be common to any work situation.

good luck sorting the meds out. it can take patience. good that they are going slow with the lamictal.

good to meet you.

(((hugs)))

~ waves ~

[Dmom3005]

Just so you know lamictal is a drug they need to go slow with.

So I'm glad they are.

donna

[DiMarie]

Hi Ace, Nice to meet you and welcome.
I have strong anxiety and panic issues, but like Waves says a work environment can contribute to a productive good day. Hostility, pushing fewer workers to take on too much, competativeness can be unhealthy.

I have been on disability SSD for 8 years. During that time I had been in college or worked pt. I had one review after returning to work and SSD stated that although I work, I did not have medical improvement nor did I pass the test for productive work. There is a threshold even if one returns to work full time or over the abt $1000 a month earnings.

BUT, that does not mean you should work. I just put that out there as your post draws people to read that wonder about working and disabilty.
It is terribly physically hard for me, if I did not have to work as much as I do, I wouldn't. It robs me of the ability to take care of my home, the special meals I made for my family. The fatigue and amount of energy it take is difficult for disabled.

As a result of being on disability I have not been pushed or ordered to work.

I would not let it consume you with fret. Keep up on doctors appointments, refill medications and take care of yourself. But don't be afraid to volunteer, or join clubs. Find a hobby, or something to occupy that makes you HAPPY!

Also, I would wonder about the feeling you are having and make sure to be on top of asking for relief. It is not healthy to spend your days fretting and feeling overwhelmed with fear.
Maybe it is something you need to do to take care of yourself. We are use to be being productive and contributing, but when we can't do it by a commited job full time, we get creative in other ways.

I love the days that my work is from home or a short drive. The claims that take me far away I try to make an outing out if it. Last week I had to go to a part of NY that OC Choppers is located off the exit. So dh my designated driver stopped there to see many of the bikes that were on the show. I could hardly stand, but sat as needed, took many great photos, and we even had a picnic lunch.

What is that saying when you have lemons, make lemonade! Take the lemons in your life, think of something that makes you feel good and aim for it.
Don't commit your days in fear of the what if's, but what can's. You can put out a bird feeder. We make them with pine cones, peanut butter then roll in bird seed. I hand a set of clear lights in a winder, or single candle. I look forward to night when they come on. Makes me think of the grandparents that did not have power in their homes until 1950's.

I find an item at the thrift shop that makes me happy for a minimal cost.
Little things can go a far way in our day.......

This event my my child happy amist sadness. Cherish great moments.