Bipolar and trying to find work!

rsdntbplr

I'm 18, diagnosed with bipolar disorder and asperger's syndrome, on DLA (mid rate care, low rate mobility) and JSA (£56 + £30 a week).

I really want a job. I've worked in a few places (McDonald's, Morrison's and ASDA) but they've all ended up coming to a bad end due to my illness and the management of it during work.

Unfortunately I only have 2.5 GCSEs (Maths, Science and PFWL Short Course GCSE) due to a lot of absence because of my illness and numerous psychiatric admissions. Along with that, I'm not even allowed a provisional license and have been refused on terms of me not having a six month clean psychiatric record.

Don't get me wrong, I DO want to work. And when I get a job I always become very ecstatic. But my illness gets in the way. For example, my job at ASDA: I became manic and didn't sleep between my two night shifts. Ended up crying in a toilet and walking out, subsequently self harming for the first time in months.

Therefore I've been told to only work part time and not to do night shifts (past two jobs have either been full time or nights).

However it's extremely difficult finding a job with huge gaps in my CV and being unable to explain because of the illness. I just don't know what to do. Yes £86 a week is enough, but I WANT to work.

I have no references (well, good ones), huge gaps in my CV and employment history, restrictions on the hours I can work and am not allowed a driving license. The job center doesn't seem to be helping at all.

Any advice on applying for jobs? Anything I can try? Please...I am so lost.

whitewing

Parttime/daytime sounds like a good idea.

You are still young. Could you perhaps get a part time volunteering job with a charity (e.g. a charity shop), where you would have to commit to a regular shift? I think for the time being you need to get work experience, so that you and an 'employer' can see where you start to become unstuck and learn to manage it. Perhaps work experience through volunteering alongside some work-counselling (if say, Connexions could provide something like that).

You need to get good references first (volunteer's manager and whoever does work counselling), I think, or an exceptionally understanding employer.

NEWSTART_2

I think you did really well to get through the application processes for ASDA, McD's etc. Volunteering seems a good idea, how about contacting the charity MIND? It is a pity you had to leave ASDA, my friend had a panic attack and they were very helpful and tried to give her a different job

marlot

Well done you on landing the jobs you have. I think the idea of getting some decent experience in a charity shop would be a great idea - it would allow you to work out what works for you, and you'll get some recent experience and a reference.

ceh209

Would you consider studying again? If you could gain an English GCSE that could open up a lot of options to you as lots of jobs ask for maths and English.

If it's a part time course it could also help you get into a routine of attending somewhere at regular times?

Someone else might be able to give you more info on what's available, it's not my area of expertise I'm afraid.

I also think volunteering would be a great idea - you only have to do, say, half a day per week.

Dunroamin

I think that, with your problems it was a mistake to leave education so early and with so few qualifications. Have you considered returning and doing another course?

whitewing

Good idea about some extra qualifications too. Colleges in our area seem to have a lot more support available for students that need it, so very different from a nightmare school situation, and also you could do your volunteering alongside. It would give you an extra person who could provide a reference too.

I spoke to a group of people last year who were doing GCSEs in Science, English and maths and they enjoyed their courses immensely. The overwhelming message though that they got from it was that they were far more capable than they'd ever realised. A lot of them had had problems at school and were only going back to learning so they could help their own children. You could have a head start on them/your older self by starting back this year.

dancingfairy

Can you speak to a disability adviser at the job centre? Also find out what services are available in your area - Rethink? Mind? Various other charities that deal with mental health issues should be able to help with employment etc. Do you have a community mental health nurse or a counsellor?
I'd also think about what would work best for you. Night shifts aren't for everyone and can mess a lot of people up (with or without mental health issues thrown in).

I think part time daytime would work well. It's just finding somewhere. In terms of references etc that can be overcome by volunteering but I would use your work experience as a positive ie you've found that you can't work nights but that you enjoyed x,y,z... .Try and find the positives to move forward.
Another idea would be to become self employed -perhaps a small online business which you could gradually buildup - website design, blogging ,ebaying (for commission) or something else. At this stage it's about building your confidence back up and also about getting out there and back into the swing of things as much as anything (which is where volunteering can help- gets you out of the house, gets you meeting people, gets you in a routine, gets you a reference etc etc). Also going back to college etc may be a good plan if theres something you want to study. You should be able to get financial support as well do to this.
Best ofLuck
df
Edit: the job centre are meant to help you. Ask to speak to an adviser and then a manager if necessary. Ask to get help from NextSteps (the adult careers service),ask what help they are going to give you in looking for work. Interview help,cv help. What are they actually going to do to help you. Can they arrange training/work experience, college courses etc etc. Can they refer you to a training provider? get you on the princes trust scheme?
Grrr. They are there to help you and you are precisely the sort of person that should be helped.
Do you have a Connexions service in your area? You shouldn't be too old, especially given that you need extra help.
Sadly it seems like you will need to be proactive and badger people and ask for help.

gibson123

Sorry to hear you are having these problems, I have mentored 2 bi-polar young people and the way forward is to try to make sure that you have good medical support from your doctor CPN, share your plans with them and take it a step at a time. Unfortunately it can take a while for you to stabilise and find a medical solution that works, work and learning will come in good time.

amyloofoo

rsdntbplr wrote: »

I'm 18, diagnosed with bipolar disorder and asperger's syndrome, on DLA (mid rate care, low rate mobility) and JSA (£56 + £30 a week).

Hi, I can only give you advice from my own experience - but as I'm a former mental health student nurse and also have bipolar disorder, I thought my experiences may be helpful.

I really want a job. I've worked in a few places (McDonald's, Morrison's and ASDA) but they've all ended up coming to a bad end due to my illness and the management of it during work.

It's really good that you want a job, and in my experience helps - both in terms of recovery and with having a decent standard of living and improved self-worth / social support. The fact that you've already got through the interview and recruitment processes, given your educational and other issues, tells me that you're probably a hard-working, enthusiastic and likeable person: all of which are going to stand you in good stead. Please believe me when I say that I understand the issues of working with bipolar - but it definitely can be done - it's about finding the job and employer that fits best with you.

Unfortunately I only have 2.5 GCSEs (Maths, Science and PFWL Short Course GCSE) due to a lot of absence because of my illness and numerous psychiatric admissions. Along with that, I'm not even allowed a provisional license and have been refused on terms of me not having a six month clean psychiatric record.

This is sad, but you're not alone. You're still really young - is there the possibility of getting further training? It doesn't have to be in a school or college if that's not your thing, there are apprenticeships, training schemes and voluntary organisations that would be happy to help.

Don't get me wrong, I DO want to work. And when I get a job I always become very ecstatic. But my illness gets in the way. For example, my job at ASDA: I became manic and didn't sleep between my two night shifts. Ended up crying in a toilet and walking out, subsequently self harming for the first time in months.

The swing from being manic to horrific depression just can't be adequately explained to people who haven't experienced it. However elated you feel and however much you feel that 'this time will be different', it's really important that you continue to engage with services and medications during times of transition.

Therefore I've been told to only work part time and not to do night shifts (past two jobs have either been full time or nights).

Part time work can be a fantastic way to boost your confidence, find your limits and get great references. Please don't see this as any kind of failure, it may make things slightly more difficult in the short term, but it opens up lots of opportunities for you too.

However it's extremely difficult finding a job with huge gaps in my CV and being unable to explain because of the illness. I just don't know what to do. Yes £86 a week is enough, but I WANT to work.

Please contact an organisation such as Bipolar UK, Mind or the Prince's Trust... all of which can help with both employment and training. You're so young, you have a fabulous opportunity to do something really special in your life

I have no references (well, good ones), huge gaps in my CV and employment history, restrictions on the hours I can work and am not allowed a driving license. The job center doesn't seem to be helping at all.

The job centre staff are unfortunately not well trained to deal with such specialist cases, the organisations above should be able to help.

Any advice on applying for jobs? Anything I can try? Please...I am so lost.

Keep your chin up, you have a great attitude, are very young and articulate, and there are lots of opportunities open to you. Seek help where it's offered and take on board the advice of others, even when it's not necessarily what you want to hear. Don't try to be superhuman and push yourself into an episode, but concentrate on the joy of the little achievements... you'll build up your confidence and stamina eventually and achieve so much more :grouphug: I'm sorry if this sounds preachy, but it's what I wish someone had told me at your age!

Cate1976

OP, I think you've done really well to get the 2.5 GCSE's you have gained, big achievement given the amount of time you had from school. You clearly want to work but unfortunately the jobs you've had haven't been right for you. My advice to you would be to look into doing some sort of voluntary work as well as gaining GCSE English. I agree with the advice to get in touch with the organisations suggested by dancingfairy and amyloofoo. As to what sort of jobs to look for, I would suggest looking at ones which combine what you're good at with what you enjoy doing. I hope you're able to find a job soon.