MDJunction - People Helping People
 

Why wear a ribbon?

 
"I too survived a suicide attempt (told 99.9% would have died). But I didn't and ..." (respect)

MDJunction to me

avsgirl19"MDJunction has inspired me to pay forward all the support that is given to me." (avsgirl19)

more testimonials
Bipolar Type II Support Group
A community of patients, family members and friends dedicated to dealing with Bipolar Type II, together.
Join This Group
Group Home   Forums   Articles   Members (3900)   Diaries   Videos   Leaders   Guidelines
Bipolar II Group RSS Feed
Bipolar II ForumsGeneral & SupportKeeping a job
12/04/2010 06:30 AM
bp2man
Posts: 11
New Member

Does anyone else have trouble keeping a job. My mode of operation is that I'll work really hard the first few months to learn the job and thats fun while I'm learning, but once I have learned the job, or accomplished anything significant relating to the job I get bored and just coast through and get really non-caring about results and quality. Which basically leads to warnings, in which case I'll jump ship to another job before I get fired. I was thinking about maybe going on disability but I'm not sure.
Reply

12/04/2010 06:42 AM  Top
wisedogmom
wisedogmomPosts: 22
New Member

Before medication and from the time I was about 19 (41 now) I have lost approx. 15 jobs. Been fired from. Biggest reason is usually my temper and anxiety or not being able to cope with stressful situations. I tend to get too emotional. Plus, I lack attention to detail and don't focus well. So you are not alone.

I didn't get diagnosed w/ BP2 until I was 37 so I thought I was just this bitchy, incompetent person that couldn't handle stress. Now I know better (for the most part).

It's still hard though. In fact I am going through a really tough time at work now for pretty much the same reasons, only this time it took a little longer for my little issues to come out I think because the meds have helped.

Again, you are not alone and I know it's hard. I have found that continuing to come here and post has helped alot. I don't feel so emotionally isolated.

Take care


Previous discussions I participated in:
Bleh
I CAVED IN AGAIN...STAYED HOME!!
Going out.....

12/04/2010 08:38 AM  Top
Heather1177
Heather1177
 
Posts: 214
Member

I'm the same way. I need a job now, but am terrified of even trying. It's pretty much been that I am super uncomfortable with the people and think they are thinking I'm weird. Self-concious and all that... I also just get really unmotivated and don't want to work. Just lay in bed and feel sorry for myself. Not healthy I know but I just don't have much enjoyment in my life and therefore, little motivation to do the tough stuff.

I usually do well at a job. I can be a very competent person when I'm feeling well enough. The worst job I feel I'm failing at is raising my kids, but they are well-adjusted for the most part and love me... I guess I could do better but am not that bad.

I'm just sick of settling but don't know how to be different.

I feel you on your struggles.

--Heather--

Lithium 300 mg 2 x a day
Wellbutrin 150 mg a day
Clonazapem .5 mg but PRN

"It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow. "
Robert H. Schuller


"Ships in the harbor are safe...but that's not what ships were made for."

12/04/2010 09:48 AM  Top
Angelface08
Angelface08
 
Posts: 218
Member
I'm an Advocate

I feel the same way once I understand my job requirements I will give my job 100% to make the employer happy but I always feel like im lacking somewhere and feel like the people I work with think im strange and sense that im different even though I know that they cant see all of my disabilities. I need to get a job but im really scared to get a job. I find tons of reasons why not to, I may not be able to handle it with school ect. I just want to be the best I can and make my mom and my family proud. Out of her two daughters I am the more "broken" of the two and there are days that I want to pout but I try to get up and move on with life.

Post edited by: Angelface08, at: 12/04/2010 09:49 AM

I have epilepsy,Myasthenia gravis,ADHD,Asthma,HSV, recovered ED, free of abuse, HSV and depression. I wont be a victim of abuse.

“This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, somg go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babve, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up becuase if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.”
― Marilyn Monroe

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
Mother Teresa

My advice is all from personal experience I am not a doctor, do not substitute this for medical advice :)

12/04/2010 09:51 AM  Top
ckshenson
ckshenson
 
Posts: 37
Member

I've always had trouble keeping jobs. The longest I"ve been at one job is 2 years, and that was a miracle. I'm like you. I do very well at first. Then, I crash and burn, get warnings and jump ship before I get fired. I actually did get fired from my last job when I took a leave of absence for depression.

Good to know I"m not alone in this.

For those that understand, no explanaion is needed. For those that do not understand, no explanation is possible.

12/04/2010 10:31 AM  Top
Joy75
Joy75
 
Posts: 15645
Group Leader
I'm an Advocate

Before medications, I would get really bored with jobs. I almost quit the job I have, but am so glad I didn't because I love it now. I would really be kicking myself in the butt if I did. I've been here six year now and I don't know how I could not have liked it before. Maybe you just need to give the jobs a chance. I wish you luck in whatever you do.
Joy, 37 years old

Blog:

http://www.joylepley.blogspot.com

Email:

simplyjoyful75@gmail.com

Bipolar type 2 and ADD

300mg Wellbutrin
200mg Lamictal
40mg Viibryd
15mg Abilify

I AM NEITHER A PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST. I AM HERE FOR THE SAME REASONS YOU ARE. TO GIVE AND RECEIVE SUPPORT. WHAT I SAY IS PURELY MY OPINION. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.

Bipolar disorder can be a great teacher. It’s a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life. – Carrie Fisher

12/04/2010 10:54 AM  Top
mentality
 
Posts: 8
New Member

Since the age of 18 I've struggled holding down any of my jobs. I get bored and at some point am going to start my own business and take on the world. I might have met someone who offered me the chance to work and travel and there I went, jacking in one job to follow the fairytale of another -- the stories are too long to write, so won't lest I bore the pants of everyone. I know also know, in hindsight, that alcohol and bipolar do not mix very well -- another reason for leaving many a job. At least it all makes sense now.

Recently i've taken to writing my boss some not very nice emails. Telling him how everything is. I have this urge to offload my anxieties on to everyone and anyone, I don't let them speak, just ramble and get it all of my chest. My boss is very forgiving. Thank God.

I write, so I enjoy my job. But there are weeks when i can't type a word because there are a million things going on in my mind.

What do you do?

Creation which cannot express itself becomes madness. Anais Nin.

Previous discussions I participated in:
Bipolar/ BPD & Pregnancy

12/04/2010 12:14 PM  Top
violetmoon
violetmoon
 
Posts: 20
Member

In the past, I would have problems keeping myself in a job because I would let things overwhelm me so much that I would have to "jump ship." Things are headed that way now--the difference is that now I know it is because I have bipolar II and I can do something about it. Anytime before I just thought I was incompetent and incapable. I was only fired once, and that was from a temp job that I was so stressed out from that I didn't bother to show up for it.
"Do I dare disturb the universe?"--T.S. Eliot

12/04/2010 12:26 PM  Top
mentality
 
Posts: 8
New Member

Do I dare disturb the universe -- Smile A favourite!

I think I always left before I got fired (I mean, I must have known it was imminent). I was the same, always thought I was weird and incapable. Diagnosis is a cure in itself.

Nice to meet you all x

Creation which cannot express itself becomes madness. Anais Nin.

Previous discussions I participated in:
Bipolar/ BPD & Pregnancy

02/19/2012 04:01 PM  Top
Antithesis
Antithesis
 
Posts: 98
Member

I spent hours on Friday barely getting anything done at work and being very non-productive. I was also during that time contemplating going and talking to my boss and trying to figure out some way to get fired or quit, but I didn't. The entire time was like torture for me, I get nauseous and want to throw up and can't even function. Right now, I am terrified of going back to work tomorrow that it has basically ruined my entire day. I have not wanted to do anything but sleep, I have no motivation and all I can think about is how much I don't like my job and how I am under-performing there. I just started this job last month and on a bi-polar "HIGH" I rushed into it. Now I am stuck and there is nothing that I can do. I'm at a loss.
Bipolar Disorder/ADHD/Agoraphobia/Anxiety/Depression??????

I am a TOS Survivor. That is the only diagnosis that I know for sure.

Lamictal 25mg/Concerta 18mg/Ativan 1mg

I am not a doctor. I am neither a registered nurse nor nurse practitioner. I am not crazy, I am just a little unwell.

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places" - Ernest Hemingway
Reply

Share this discussion with your friends:
Members who viewed this page also read:
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>

Bipolar IIBipolar II ForumsGeneral & SupportKeeping a job

Disclaimer: The information provided in MDJunction is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice.
In case of EMERGENCY call 911 or 1.800.273.TALK (8255) to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Read more.
Contact Us | Bookmark Us | FAQ | Awareness Ribbons
About Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Spread the Word | MDJ Advocates | Advertise
Copyright (c) 2006-2013 MDJunction.com All Rights Reserved