Bipolar Support Group

Hi everyone. I just got out of the hospital yesterday after having a breakdown due to my bipolar and borderline. I have been having panic attacks and going to work and dealing with people (retail) has been making me afraid of leaving my house. So, today I told my boss that I would not be returning to work after my hospital stay. So far they have been understanding. My husband is freaking out because he doesn't understand why I can't work and he's worried about money. I completely understand because I'm worried to. He wants me to move home to be around my family and get an apartment and so we can save money as well. (we are military so they give us a housing allowance and housing costs a lot less there so we would have extra money) But I don't think I want to go back to my hometown. I feel like I'm getting shipped off and I don't want to be apart from my husband because I'm afraid it will cause divorce and then I worry about losing my kids. I feel so horrible because he is so stressed and now I quit my job and that is only making things worse. I feel like this was the wrong decision, but I don't know how to handle work, I just think about freaking out whenever I think of it. Any advice? I know a lot of you work so I feel like a quitter but i didn't know what else to do. Thanks for listening.

I would try applying for disability until you are feeling better. When you are more stable you can try work again. I think you made a good decision.

what about applying for disability? It takes time to recieve but has saved my butt. I do work too but just pt-and i work for myself now. i used to have paralizing panic attacks deal with the public. so i clean houses now on my own. money is good and low stress-it is very physical but find it pulls me out of depression. I am sorry to hear you are going through so much-just getting out of the hospital and dealing with this stress. I am proud of you that you got the help you needed. I hope all works out for you soon. we are here for you.

You did what you needed to do for you. I don't think you are a quitter. If you need to take a break to regroup, there's nothing wrong with that. There are other ways to earn a living besides working with the public. Cleaning houses is a good suggestion and something you could do right away if you find you need immediate income. File clerking, data entry, etc. There are behind-the-scenes jobs you could do. You might check into disability because you might qualify. Don't beat yourself up over your decision. It's what you needed to do for you. It might be helpful to have your husband go to a pdoc appointment with you to see why right now you cannot work. It may help him understand better.

You are not a quitter and you are doing the best you can. You are no good to your family if you dont take care of yourself and you are doing what you see must be done. Someone told me something when I was worried about having my first child and that is "Money will find a way" did not make sense than but it does now. If you set all your goals on money, time or anything else, that time may never come. Stay positive you are fresh out of the hospital and doing what needs to be done to make sure you dont go back. All the best, Joe

Thank you all those are very good suggestions. I appreciate it.

I feel for you, I have done the exact same thing! Years back I did just what you did, got sick, had to go to hospital, had to quit my job. I just could not deal with the stress of the job, it was making me sick. And of course your health comes first!!!

Now, I would say once you feel stable, maybe you may want to look for a lower stress kind of job??? OR you could apply for disability? I am finding out a lot of people who are bipolar are on disability. Not ideal but would give you some financial relief...just my thoughts...But your health is the most important thing.

I think you made the right decision because it sounds like you really could not work. I understand your financial struggles, but when you can't do it, you can't do it. You went to the hospital, that's got to tell your husband something about your health. Right now you just can't work. In time you may be able to find a job you can handle, but right now is not a good time. I completely understand. You are not a quitter. You need your mental health.You have to watch out for you and this is what you are doing. Like the others said, maybe you could file for disability for awhile. I wish you luck!!

Thank you everyone you are all so positive. Yes, I agree at this point I just cannot work. I am applying for disability and at some point yes I think going back to work would be a good idea I just think I would need a job that doesn't involve so much interaction with customers because that is what gives me such panic attacks. I appreciate all of your kindness, it means a lot because right now is a very stressful time. So thanks.

You're not a quitter. You may be able to get part time disability until the federal disability comes through. That's what my sister did. I know the feeling that work would be too much to handle, I'm on disability too. You've made the right choice.