Occupations for People With Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental illness in which periods of severe depression alternate with periods of mania or hyperactivity. Bipolar disorder can be very debilitating, but it is treatable. People with bipolar disorder can work in a wide range of jobs.

Hours

It is often recommended that people with bipolar disorder keep regular schedules, including sleeping on a regular schedule. This helps prevent exacerbation of their condition. Therefore jobs that require shift work or irregular hours might not be a good fit for them.

Stress

Very stressful jobs may exacerbate the condition for some people with bipolar disorder. This will vary from person to person, though. Some people with bipolar disorder work successfully in stressful jobs.

Americans With Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that employers make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations might include things like a flexible work schedule, allowing the employee to make phone calls to doctors or other support people during work hours, and providing a quiet workspace free of distractions.

Training

All states have vocational rehabilitation agencies, although the name of the agencies varies slightly from state to state. These agencies provide job training for people with disabilities, including people with bipolar disorder.

Off-Limits Jobs

People with bipolar disorder can work in most fields, but a few are off limits. For instance, people who have taken psychiatric medication at any point in their lives are not permitted to enlist in the military.

References

• National Institute of Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder
• Job Accommodation Network: Employees with Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorders at Work

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder
• Americans With Disabilities Act
• State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies