Should you tell your employer about your diagnosis?

Bipolar disorder (BPD) is just one of various mental illnesses that can affect you in the workplace. A study conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance concluded that 88% of participants (who were diagnosed with either BPD or depression) admitted that their condition affected their ability to work." However, the law protects you if you are diagnosed with a mental illness that impairs your ability to work.

Borchard of Psychcentral states that "the World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, mental illness will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide, after heart disease [and] major mental disorders cost the nation at least $193 billion annually in lost earnings alone, according to a new study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health." According to Forbes, "[u]nder the Americans with Disabilities Act, a person with a disability is not required to disclose it unless seeking an accommodation at work." While some people may require some accommodations, most people find that they do not need them. Forbes further reports that "[a] survey conducted by the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University found that 73% of 500 professionals previously diagnosed with a psychiatric illness were able to maintain full-time employment in their chosen fields, including nurses, executives, lawyers, professors and newspaper reporters." This brings up the dilemma, to tell or not to tell.

Regardless whether you disclose the BPD diagnosis to your employer or not, you are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This piece of legislature is in place to guarantee that you are not discriminated against. An employer cannot fire you or lay you off because they learn of your diagnosis of a mental illness. Just as they would not penalize a person for being a diabetic, they cannot penalize you for your illness. And if they try, you can - and should - seek legal counsel.

Many blogs and websites attempt to give advice on this topic but they pretty much fail at doing so. And here's the reason: you can't advise someone (in this economic climate) to be as open as we would like to be. Being open and honest with your employer, disclosing a diagnosis of BPD, could help fight against the stigma surrounding mental illness. In fact, if you are a good worker, then this is exactly what it should do - reduce stigma. But not all employers are sympathetic or educated on the matter. Some choose to be ignorant of issues surrounding mental health, ignoring the magnitude of its effects. In these cases, opening up about your illness could create a climate of scrutiny and/or hostility in the workplace.

And it's not just your employers you have to worry about - it can be your coworkers. How much is too much to reveal to a colleague? Well, that depends. How well can they be trusted?

This is a timely topic for myself, as I am seeking employment. Rest assured, though, that my digital footprint all but alleviates this situation. The truth of the matter is, if someone wants to know about my diagnosis, they're going to find out. I've invited that risk already, by hosting this blog without using an alias. And my reason? Because I believe it's time to end the stigma against people suffering with mental illness. We need to create a culture that supports and sympathizes with those who suffer daily. We need to raise people's awareness of what we go through - to help them help us - to help them understand. Instead of sitting idly by and allowing the stigma to perpetuate, we can do something about it.

I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder since the age of 19. I've lived and suffered through many ordeals related to my diagnosis. The path of recovery is not always straight. It is not always moving forward. Sometimes, it takes you back. But you have to keep striving for your goals. And this is what I have done. Every day that I wake up, I say to myself "how am I going to achieve my goals?" And the answer?? Hard work. Nothing in my life comes easy. And if you ask the millions of employed Americans with a diagnosis of BPD, they would tell you the same. But we do it. We push through it. We not only manage our illness, we make strides. We not only survive, we can thrive!

But how does a flower blossom if not in the light? This is why I share.

Do I tell my employers about my diagnosis? Yes and no. Each situation is different. It has come back to bite me in the ass a time or two. What you do is all up to you...

Please share in the comments what you think? Would you disclose? Should you disclose? Why or why not?

"bipolar" is not an adjective!

I hear it everywhere I go. People using the word "bipolar" to describe things like the weather, animal behaviors, cars - you name it. And I wonder, how do these people not know IT'S NOT OKAY to use this word in such a way?

Bipolar disorder affects 2.6% of the country, roughly 5.7 million Americans (National Institute of Mental Health). Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that affects a person's ability to regulate their own emotions. It is characterized by 2 phases - the manic phase and the depressive phase.

During mania, people diagnosed with bipolar disorder tend to behave in manners that draw negative attention, which unfortunately leads to these being highly publicized. Troublesome behaviors can lead to psychosocial trauma and issues with health, relationships, and even the law.

During depression, people diagnosed with bipolar disorder are at a high risk for suicide. In fact, approximately 50% of persons with bipolar disorder were found to have a history of a suicide attempt (Dilsaver, Psychiatric Times). People with bipolar disorder are known to attempt suicide and succeed at a rate of 1 in 5 attempts (National Institute of Mental Health). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 113 people complete suicide each day, which is 1 every 13 minutes!

Bipolar disorder IS NOT an adjective. It is not a laughing matter. It is not a joke. It is not make-believe. It is a real disorder that threatens the lives of millions every day. It is a crippling disorder that prevents people from leading meaningful lives. According to the World Health Organization, bipolar disorder is the 6th leading cause of disability worldwide!

I am not bipolar. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I live with bipolar disorder. But I am not my disorder. And yes, I DO take offense when you call me "bipolar." I don't care who you are and what you mean to me, if you refer to me as "bipolar," I will think less of you and be less likely to trust your judgment.

It IS NOT OKAY to call someone "bipolar."

It is a reference people make when they are attempting to be hurtful. I cannot ignore it and I will not tolerate it because "that which you tolerate, you teach."

The use of the word "bipolar" as a mere adjective perpetuates the stigma of mental health and dilutes the seriousness of the disorder.

If you have good intentions, make it a priority to get rid of this word from your vocabulary. It's simple! Use another word, such as "unpredictable," "ever-changing," or "unsteady."