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I just started a new job just this week. It is quite a distance from my home so I'm not sure it is right, but that is another topic for later.
I didn't tell my employer about my disorder because I chose not to but, I did say that my SO had a progressively chronic illness that would take me out of work for a few hours about once a week or so during my probationary period. I couldn't tell them I was BP even though it is another MH provider service.
I could tell them I suffer from symptoms of my past Carpal Tunnel (I do) but I just couldn't tell them about the BP and why I would need time intermittently off yet I know that there will be days I can't get out of bed and get there. So I am at a confused crossroads.
Marie I am surprised you're attempting to work. The reason I say this is because I lost my job 4 years ago due to the fact that I'm bipolar. I decided that if employers were going to discriminate bipolars that I was going to try to get a disability. Sometimes I think that was a mistake, because I miss working to a degree. I know I couldn't function though. I have poor concentration and reasoning. Logic doesn't always come to me. Good Luck to you!
My attempting to work is all that it is, an attempt.
Where I am located (NC) I am not eligible for Public Assistance as some call it.
The disability route (SSDI) can take from 6 months to a year and a half and my daughter & I can't go that long without assistance. I'm 2 months behind on bills and are already under bankruptcy a year in. So, I had little if any choice but to get a job (plus my family insisted).
I've already had 2 major anxiety spells this week, I've not gotten out and exercised as I was shortly prior, and my sleep has worsened in that all I want to to do is sleep.
Plus I still have no insurance even with the new job because I'm not eligible until Christmas due to probationary period and even then because I have to disclose BP at that time and/or the insurance will check my previous insurance - I'll be "pre-existing" for 12 months from then. So no meds, and no therapy, unless I can pay straight up and I can't.
So, I had no other choice. My daughter says I do in that I could just not have worked because I'm still not "well" enough but she doesn't understand about bills and buying food (she is 10).
I'm glad you were able to come through your fight alright. We'll just see how this "transition" period goes for me.
