You have likely already worked with colleagues living with bipolarity, even if you didn't know it.
In Australia, about 650,000 people live with bipolarity. The World Health Organization ranks bipolarity as the sixth leading cause of disability.
Yet, despite these numbers, the conversation about bipolar and work is rarely opened in professional settings.
Let's go back to the basics. Bipolarity is a condition of emotional intensity. It involves experiencing significant mood changes that range from depressive phases (low energy, sadness) to manic phases (euphoria, high energy, rapid thinking).
Many successful figures have thrived while living with bipolarity, including Mariah Carey, Kanye West, and Ben Stiller. People living with this condition often demonstrate exceptional creativity, resilience, and a unique perspective.
However, the workplace reality is often harder and much more silent.
In professional environments, bipolarity is rarely disclosed. Most employees choose to keep their diagnosis private due to a fear of stigma, judgment, or discrimination. As a result, warning signs are often missed, and individuals may struggle in silence rather than asking for the support they need.
What percentage of people with bipolar work? Research suggests unemployment rates for this demographic sit between 60% and 73%. This staggering number is often linked to this lack of disclosure and appropriate support. Bipolar and working full-time is entirely possible for many, but raising awareness allows organisations to anticipate challenges and put the right tools in place.
Above all, are you a company where you can talk about your bipolar disorder? In Canada it is quite normal to talk about these psychological disorders in interviews. Above all, this makes it possible to define a job that best suits the person.
We see that it is generally up to top management to talk about these topics in order to encourage free speech. When the former CEO of Danone Emmanuel Faber talks about his brother suffering from schizophrenia it opens up the debate. Relatives of people with a psychological disorder can talk about it more easily.
When you have an employee on long-term sick leave, do you know why? Is it related to cancer or another physical illness, it will often be easily communicated by the person. Today it is no longer a shame and something we ignore when we have a physical health problem. If you do not know why this person is on sick leave, it is often linked to a psychological problem. Is it a depression, a burnout, a manic phase?
There are different levels of depression that can be classified from 1 to 10. At the beginning of a depressive phase, for example 2/10, this is the moment when you can act to avoid deterioration. A person with a severe 9/10 depression will most likely already be on sick leave or even hospitalized.
1. Discuss it with your collaborator
2. Avoid trips with significant jet lag
3. Do not encourage him to drink or to stay up late with company parties
4. Do not give him the company credit card or set a low payment limit
5. Offer him to work on new projects and work on tasks requiring creativity and innovation
People with bipolarity may encounter difficulties in certain types of professions due to their disorder. Nightshift jobs, in particular, can be problematic, as changes in sleep patterns upset the delicate balance of their sleep and wake cycles. Mood disturbances can be a common side effect of sleep disturbances, and it can trigger manic or depressive phases in people with bipolarity.
In addition to night jobs, high-pressure occupations can also be difficult for people with bipolarity. Careers that involve high levels of stress, tight deadlines, or difficult decisions can trigger manic or depressive episodes in people with bipolarity.
However, it is important to note that each person with bipolarity is unique and may have different needs. Some people may be able to manage a night shift job or a high-pressure profession successfully, depending on the severity of their illness and their ability to manage symptoms.
There is no single "perfect job," but some roles are more sustainable than others.
Instead, people with bipolar should look for a job that suits them as an individual. Here are a few things to consider when deciding what type of job is right for you:
What is the work environment?
Will this job be compatible with your lifestyle and help you develop as an individual, or will it be too difficult in terms of stress and irregular schedules?
For many people with bipolar, a calm and relaxed work space can help them maintain regular schedules, which can improve their overall functioning.
What are the hours?
Part-time work with an adaptable schedule can be helpful for people with bipolar. Working during the day can also be helpful.
Night shifts or jobs that require you to be on duty at night aren't always a good idea because sleep is so important. Maintaining a normal rhythm of sleep and wakefulness can be beneficial in cases of bipolar disorder.
What will your co-workers be like?
Look for a job where colleagues have values that align with yours, and that promote work-life balance, as this is important for your overall health and well-being.
Supportive colleagues will also help you feel understood and cope with stressful situations.
Is the work creative?
Many people with bipolar disorder fare better when they have a job where they can be creative. It can be helpful to find a job where you can be creative at work or a job that gives you plenty of free time for creative projects.
Once you've answered these questions, you should dig a bit deeper to try and understand each other better in order to find a job that you'll enjoy.
Consider your:
- Interests
- Your strengths and abilities
- Skills
- Personality traits
- Values
- Physical health
- Boundaries, triggers, and obstacles
Once you've narrowed down your job choices, do more research about careers. You can consult Job Center to find out more about the characteristics of each job, in particular.
- Professional tasks
- The skills required
- The studies or training required
- Permit or certificate required
- The usual working hours
- Working conditions (physical requirements, environment and stress level)
- Salary and benefits
- Advancement opportunities
- Job prospects
If you can't find a job that's right for you, maybe you can consider starting your own business. You can create your own job that will allow you to be more creative and flexible than if you were working for someone else.
However, running your business comes with its own set of challenges. Depending on what you feel you need, you may prefer a regular, structured schedule if you are living with bipolar disorder.
Legally, you are not required to provide your employer with information about your health, unless you risk putting others at risk.
While people are generally more open today to the idea of talking about mental illness, stigmas still exist. That's not fair, but people may treat you differently if they know you have a psychiatric problem - and that can include the people you work with.
On the other hand, many people understand mental health issues and the challenges they can cause at work. That is why, in some cases, it may be useful for you to share your bipolarity diagnosis with your boss and the human resources department.
If the people who work with you are aware of your condition, they may be more likely to accommodate you in ways that reduce stress at work and make your work experience more enjoyable.
No one can discriminate against you because you are living with bipolar disorder in the workplace. This practice is illegal.
If you decide to talk to your employer about your health condition, you can ask Cap Emploi or Pôle Emploi for advice to help you have this conversation.
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