Careers for people with BP - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

jendg28 · 07-30-2007, 11:46 AM

I am currently unemployed and looking for a relatively low stress job. I have been a nanny for 8 years and I'm sick of taking care of the super rich. I also have 2 years inside sales experience, but the pressure of a quota is too much to take and has sent me into quite a few episodes. I was on disability for about a year and went off of it against my pdoc's advice because I was soooo bored. I don't have my degree yet(2 years college), and would like to finish college, but my memory is so bad from the meds,ETC, and so on. I have though about working part-time at a local retail store(pretty stress free) and starting college again full-time in the fall or the spring. Does anybody with bp have a career that actually "works" for them? Insurance, low stress, good hours, etc.

cbearsy · 07-30-2007, 12:34 PM

Hi

we're in the uk, so things may be differant here. My husband went through a period of not wanting to work a few years ago but has somehow managed, while everything else has been really hard, to hold down a great job and build a career. He started as a draftsman and is now a civil engineer, is on great money, and works 'freelance'. WHich means he does his books, tax etc and can work more flexible hours. Like I said it may be differant here, he works in an office where he is, of course, the joker of the office. But he gets up and goes everyday and must enjoy it or he really wouldn't go.

I wish you well in whatever you find to suit.

Good luck,
Cx

tsohl · 07-30-2007, 12:35 PM

Hi,

I have a 25-year old son who did finish college and started out in too stressful a career...so I understand where you're coming from!!

I just wondered what meds you were on? My son took provigil in addition to his BP meds his last year in college and it really helped with the concentration issues. When you go back to school, you might ask your pdoc about it.

It is hard to find something that is not stressful. Life today, in general is pretty much full of stress!! I think working in a small business environment where you would have a personal relationship with your boss and coworkers could work out well.

EYES had a busy career and survived. Maybe he'll have some suggestions for you!! We're still figuring out what our son is going to be doing. He will be going to grad. school in the fall of '08 to give him a few more options. I think he will teach at the college level or work for a government agency when he finished the program.

Take care,
Tsohl

jendg28 · 07-30-2007, 01:26 PM

I take Lithium, Trileptal, Abilify, Seroquel, and Celexa