How do I work with a bipolar coworker?

To support someone with Bipolar Disorder, the first step it to establish empathy and understand the control the illness has over your colleague.
  1. Respect privacy. ...
  2. Notice changes. ...
  3. Take a non-judgemental stance and listen. ...
  4. Ask how you can help and offer flexible arrangements. ...
  5. Fight stigma in the workplace.
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When your coworker is bipolar?

Listen– One of the best ways to support a colleague with bipolar disorder is to simply listen. If your colleague needs to talk to someone, offer to take a walk on your lunch break and listen to what they have to say. Spending quality time with them and listening does a lot to boost a person's confidence.
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How do you act around someone with bipolar disorder?

Supporting someone who is manic
  1. Spend time with your loved one. ...
  2. Answer questions honestly. ...
  3. Don't take any comments personally. ...
  4. Prepare easy-to-eat meals and drinks. ...
  5. Avoid subjecting your loved one to a lot of activity and stimulation. ...
  6. Allow your loved one to sleep whenever possible.
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What kind of job is good for someone with bipolar?

Best jobs for people with bipolar disorder
  • librarian or library assistant.
  • archivist.
  • museum or gallery curator.
  • gardener or landscaper.
  • yoga or meditation teacher.
  • massage or spa therapist.
  • researcher.
  • tutor.
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How does bipolar disorder affect you at work?

The evidence indicates that a majority of patients with bipolar disorder are not employed and many others are employed only part time. Job-related difficulties are common, and patients with bipolar disorder tend to have higher rates of absenteeism from work compared with working individuals without bipolar disorder.
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Deal with a Bipolar Coworker



What are 4 signs of bipolar disorder?

Symptoms - Bipolar disorder
  • feeling sad, hopeless or irritable most of the time.
  • lacking energy.
  • difficulty concentrating and remembering things.
  • loss of interest in everyday activities.
  • feelings of emptiness or worthlessness.
  • feelings of guilt and despair.
  • feeling pessimistic about everything.
  • self-doubt.
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Why is it so hard to work with bipolar disorder?

Poor judgment and impulse control, frequent mood swings, irritability, inability to concentrate, hyperactivity, and other common symptoms of the manic phases of bipolar disorder all affect your ability to perform your job and interact with others.
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What should you not say to someone with bipolar?

30 Things Not To Say To Those With Bipolar Disorder
  • “Everyone has something.”
  • “You don't know what goes on behind closed doors.”
  • “You always look for an excuse.”
  • “How are you managing?” (And other loaded questions).
  • “Be nice.”
  • “Calm down.”
  • “I'm not very happy with you right now.”
  • “Why can't you just be happy?”
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How do bipolar people hold down their job?

8 Career Success Strategies for Bipolar Disorder
  1. Set Up Some Structure. Even for people who love their job and their colleagues, most careers involve stress — and stress plays a huge role in triggering mania symptoms or bipolar disorder cycling. ...
  2. Get Flexible. ...
  3. Stay Sober at Happy Hour. ...
  4. Know Your Triggers.
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Can I get fired for being bipolar?

The Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA) protects employees from discrimination based on a disability—including mental illnesses like depression or anxiety.
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Should you argue with a bipolar person?

Never engage in dialogue with the other person's amygdala

For persons living with bipolar, the amygdala may be overactivated or very easily triggered. Don't engage in an argument or debate with your bipolar partner when he or she is in a fear state. Wait until there is calm again.
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How do you calm a manic episode?

Tips for coping with a manic episode
  1. Reach out to your healthcare team. ...
  2. Identify medications that help. ...
  3. Avoid triggers that worsen your mania. ...
  4. Maintain a regular eating and sleeping schedule. ...
  5. Watch your finances. ...
  6. Set up daily reminders.
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Does bipolar worsen with age?

Changes in the frequency and severity of episodes are among the most evident changes in bipolar disorder at an older age. Research suggests that older adults with bipolar disorder often experience: more frequent episodes. more depressive episodes and less time spent in manic or hypomanic states.
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How do I talk to my boss about bipolar?

“Talk to your doctor, support group or anyone else who may offer a useful opinion,” says Graham. “Do some role playing before you talk to your supervisor so you can get some practice.” Should disclosure seem a good strategy but no less unnerving, Graham urges running the idea by a trusted co-worker or colleague.
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Does stress make bipolar worse?

Factors that may worsen bipolar symptoms or trigger an episode include: Stress In many cases, a major life change or stressful event, such as losing a loved one or having financial troubles, can trigger an initial episode.
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What are the signs of bipolar in a woman?

Bipolar disorder symptoms in females
  • feeling “high”
  • feeling jumpy or irritated.
  • having increased energy.
  • having elevated self-esteem.
  • feeling able to do anything.
  • experiencing reduced sleep and appetite.
  • talking faster and more than usual.
  • having rapid flights of ideas or racing thoughts.
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What to say to a bipolar person when they are depressed?

Best Things to Say to a Person With Bipolar Disorder
  • "I love you"
  • "I care"
  • "You're not alone in this"
  • "I'm not going to leave/abandon you"
  • "Do you want a hug?"
  • "You are important to me"
  • "If you need a friend..."
  • "It will pass, we can ride it out together"
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What questions should you ask a bipolar person?

Questions to ask about bipolar disorder
  • Why am I being offered an appointment for an assessment?
  • What will happen after the appointment?
  • Why do you think I'm ill? ...
  • What could have caused my symptoms?
  • Who can I contact if I have a crisis or if my symptoms get worse?
  • Are there any support organisations in my local area?
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Can bipolar work night shift?

Patients with bipolar disorders show a primary instability of circadian activity (e.g., sleep-wake rhythm) and extreme chronotype in bipolar disorders may intensify negative effects on night or shift work.
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What does undiagnosed bipolar look like?

The main sign of bipolar disorder is extreme mood swings that go from emotional highs to emotional lows. Manic episodes cause people to seem very energetic, euphoric, or irritable. During depressive episodes, your loved one may seem sad, upset, or tired all the time.
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What are the 10 signs of being bipolar?

10 Signs of Bipolar Disorder
  • Decreased need for sleep. ...
  • Racing thoughts and accelerated speech. ...
  • Restlessness and agitation. ...
  • Overconfidence. ...
  • Impulsive and risky behavior. ...
  • Hopelessness. ...
  • Withdrawal from family and friends and lack of interest in activities. ...
  • Change in appetite and sleep.
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What can trigger bipolar disorder?

Factors that may increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder or act as a trigger for the first episode include:
  • Having a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, with bipolar disorder.
  • Periods of high stress, such as the death of a loved one or other traumatic event.
  • Drug or alcohol abuse.
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Does bipolar get worse at night?

The bottom line. Experts still have more to learn about the causes of bipolar disorder and how it affects sleep-wake cycles. Circadian rhythm disruptions could very well factor into symptoms that seem to get worse at night, but other factors might also play a part.
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What is the life expectancy of a person with bipolar disorder?

The authors found that the pooled life expectancy for patients with bipolar disorder, after removal of 1 outlier study, was 67.4 years (95% CI 65.2-69.7), with no evidence of publication bias. Life expectancy was significantly shorter in men (64.6) compared to women (70.5).
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Can bipolar turn into dementia?

We found that a history of bipolar disorder significantly increases the risk of dementia in older adults. Our results provide robust evidence that mood disorders in general, and not only major depressive disorders, are associated with increased risk of dementia (17,18).
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