bipolar disorder and work woes

I can work today!

 It’s like catching lightening in a bottle- when I catch it, I’d better take advantage of it. What happens in our brains to make it so very hard for us to work when we’re in a mood swing?
I know that parts of our brains accomplish different tasks- some are verbal, spatial, emotional, etc.
For people with ADHD, sitting and working can be hard- here is a brain explanation for ADHD from myadhd.com
Current research indicates the frontal lobe, basal ganglia, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, as well as other areas of the brain, play a significant role in ADHD because they are involved in complex processes that regulate behavior (Teeter, 1998). These higher order processes are referred to as executive functions. Executive functions include such processes as inhibition, working memory, planning, self-monitoring, verbal regulation, motor control, maintaining and changing mental set and emotional regulation. According to a current model of ADHD developed by Dr. Russell Barkley, problems in response inhibition is the core deficit in ADHD. This has a cascading effect on the other executive functions listed above (Barkley, 1997).

Hmm.  That’s one part of our problem with work. All people with bipolar disorder have ADHD symptoms. The REAL problem is that bipolar doesn’t stop there. Our neurochemicals affect so much more than our ability to sit still and concentrate. We all know that!
When someone asks you why it’s so hard for you to work- you can say:
Well, you probably know how hard it is for people with ADHD to concentrate. Now, multiply that by one million and you may have an idea of what it’s like to try and concentrate when you’re manic or suicidal!
Of course, I’m being a bit flip here, but you get the idea. 🙂
I’m thankful I can work today. I just hope I’m not hypomanic. That is always a question I want to answer very honestly!
Julie