Cyclothymia BiP3 - Finding work again anyone similar

charmed1318

Hi,

I have looked for something similar and can't find anything so I will just ask.
Outline: I'm 26, and recently diagnosed with Cyclothymia (Bi-polar III), I'm not looking for work right at this minute as I have only had one appointment with a psychiatrist, but I hope to be at some point.

Long story(not so)short

After being diagnosed with depression at 16/17 (at which point I had started my first job) I was on/off different meds for the time I stayed in that job for 5 years being promoted up to manager. Then as I was 21, working 60+ hours some weeks, the stress was unbearable and I went on 'the sick' for a couple of weeks.
I did leave and get a job with less responsibilities, again, working my way up.

I then went on working for 3 more employers, each time the length being shorter and the time between them being longer. I also moved twice.
My latest was for an insurance company for three months as it wasn't really what I expected - sales and i was c***p at it, this was Jan 13-April 13. After a few months on JSA, where to be honest I was never told to do more etc, had one or two interviews but then started volunteering for a charity shop, which I loved, for just under a year when I was told by my manager (who knew I was back on meds and sympathetic) that staff had mentioned my 'moods'.

This prompted another visit to my Dr, who then approached the subject of Bipolar (father and grandfather suffered) then referred to psych hospital. Took a while, where I got the Cyclothymia diagnosis and more meds on top.

I am glad I have an answer as now going over what has happened in the past ten years makes more sense, and I can give an explanation as to why I have left, gaps etc, but then I think of all the stigma that's still surrounded by Mental Health and depression.
I do think we need to keep the conversation open as I can't be the only one who

rogerblack

As a first note - discriminating against someone for a disability when it comes to employment - and severe bipolar qualifies - is - with narrow exceptions - illegal.

racon

rogerblack wrote: »

As a first note - discriminating against someone for a disability when it comes to employment - and severe bipolar qualifies - is - with narrow exceptions - illegal.

Hey, you would have one hell of a job proving that you weren't taken on after an interview because of mental health issues. No employer is ever going to admit that. Same with young females, I know of one employer that for years flatly refuses to consider females simply because they generally end up pregnant and are more than likely to want more time off sick than a chap. However, he will never admit that that is the true reason.

UKTigerlily

Just to say, I have Borderline Personality Disorder & Bp2 and have never had problems with employers (and I figure if any did have an issue they wouldn't be the type i'd want to work for anyway). Best of luck!