A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:Hi my boyfriends bi-polar and struggling to get work because of his medical history. He seems to be getting more depressed and recently said he as to accept is life is over. Should he lie about his history? Does anyone know where he can get help getting work?
View related questions:
depressed Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, carebear +, writes (6 April 2008):
 Hi Poster
Agree with Country Woman also as you are in the UK there are some great organisations such as Shaw Trust, Workable and other local places depending on where you live.
Has he thought of volentary work just as short term or agency work just to get his foot in the door?In my own experiance nearly all vacant job post now ask you to fill in medical questionaire and asking if you have disability, this should be treated as confidential, aslo good tip when filling in forms state your illness and remeber to add controlled by medication. Please advise your b/f to contact Pathways adviser at local jobcentre plus for more information and they may be able to help as well
Good Lick x
A
female
reader, SouthernBelle  +, writes (4 April 2008):
 I myself know exactly what that feels like. I am 17 soon to be 18 and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at fifteen years old. I personally don't tell anybody that I'm bipolar or then you for sure won't get the job and people will be afraid of you. The only reason he has a hard time finding a job, or anybody with bipolar disorder for that matter is because when it comes to the actual disorder people are ignorant. They think that anybody who has bipolar disorder is crazy and will "flip out" when thats not the case. People are so uneducated and ignorant about the disorder they fear it and the people who have the disorder. You don't know how many people have made comments to me about taking my medication before I come over so I don't flip out and kill somebody. To ever sit down and talk with me you would never know I was bipolar unless I told you. I have been on medications that keep me stable and I am one of the sweetest people you would ever meet, but that doesn't mean I'll get the job when they find out I have a mental disorder. If your boyfriend takes medication and his mood swigs are stable I would suggest he not put it down. Many people all around you have mental illnesses and you would never guess it, if he can manage off of medication and not have erratic mood swings, which sometimes tends to happen, then he should be fine. If he isn't taking any medciations I suggest he look into it. Coping with Bipolar disorder is hard enough as it is and medications make that ride go alot more smoothly.
If you have any more questions or would like to talk just message me. I know all too well how he's feeling right now.
Take care.
...............................
A
female
reader, Country Woman +, writes (4 April 2008):
 Well after having a chat with my sister whose fiance is bi-polar, the norm seems to be that it is a case of non disclosure which is not right I know but even in this day and age it is viewed as a problem.
However, if your bf was applying for work from a local authority etc I believe that if your bf wants to be open and honest about his medical history then they have to view it under the equal opportunities side of things and cannot be seen to be biased in any way.
Perhaps checking with someone like Citizens Advice Bureau and here are a few others that may help too.
www.mind.org.uk Tel. (08456) 340 540 and
ww.bipolaraware.co.uk which includes forums and chatlines plus there is always
www.samaritans.org/support
and last one bipolardisorderuncovered.com
He is not on his own and I think the fact that he wants to work and get his life back on tract is very admirable.
My future brother-in-law does just that and I know there are a lot of undiagnosed suffers out there who lead a very normal lifestyle and cope with this condition every single day so just make him aware that his life is certainly not over but when someone who suffers with bi-polar is talking that way then they do need help or perhaps a further visit to their doctor as perhaps the medication he is on is no longer working or effective.
I take my hat off to you though to as you are also being a tremendous support to him by asking for help on this web site so pat yourself on the back as well.
Take care and hope some of the above helps in some small way.
BFN
Country Woman
...............................
|
