I received this comment on the blog when I woke up this morning. It’s a timely one as I’m having work issues myself! Here is the comment and my reply.
I have been diagnosed with bi-polar after 4 attempts at suicide. I’m sitting here now, wishing i was not here. Thinking things like my girlfriend could have someone who has loads of money, nice house ect… all the things i dont have. im very tired of life right now, and cannot see it getting any better, or my wealth changing.. definatly not in the near future!
The thing is, i know deep inside i am better than this. i know i can get a better paid job ect But and i dont know if it is having bi polar, i odnt have the courage to do go for another job. even though i know i can do it. its almost like voices in my head saying, nah, you’re useless, you cant do it so why bother.
Is this the bi-polar, or just something else.?
Hi,
It’s totally normal to be suicidal when you’re depressed. It’s also normal to feel worthless when you’re depressed! That is literally the definition of depression..
I’ve definitely been sick from work pressure. Those of us with bipolar disorder often have trouble working. It really attacks your belief in yourself when you can’t work! The only way to get around this is to treat the bipolar first- this means trying for as long as it takes to find the right meds and then… here is the hard part- learn to manage the illness on your own. I do it daily. You have to have a treatment plan that works. My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder has an easy to follow plan as do my other books. I wrote them because I needed them.
You are NOT lazy. You have a serious, but ultimately treatable illness. Here are some ideas:
1. Decide to stay where you are right now- work wise- and spend the next three months focusing exclusively on bipolar management
2. Talk with your girlfriend and explain what bipolar is like- read my book together. Work together. Just as she would do – both of you would do if you had a physical illness.
3. When the voices start- no matter how strong they are- say, This is not me! This is bipolar disorder. And when I treat the bipolar disorder, I can make these voices go away.
Things DO get better. I am proof. I never thought I would work again- and now I can. You can as well.
Treat bipolar disorder first and it all gets easier.
Julie
Beware of using email while in a bipolar disorder mood swing…. Email can be a terrible tool when you have bipolar disorder…. I really can’t stress this enough. If you look back over my blogs for the past few years, you will see that I always have trouble with email when I’m not doing well. This is not only about having too much email- it’s about getting obsessed with email. 
There is a great group in the US called USA Fit (usafit.com) that helps people walk or run marathons. Don’t worry! You can just do the group without doing the marathon, but I did a ten mile walk once! This is a great way to stay healthy and meet lots of new people.
