My Bipolar Disorder - Career Update

This post is an update on significant changes happening in my career right now.  I'd say that this career changing period I am in is a "major life event."  It is the type of event those with bipolar disorder are supposed to watch out for.  

In addition to messing with mood and emotions, major life events generate added stress, use our resources, and consume energy.  These changes can have a profound impact on your bipolar symptoms!

It is very important to be vigilant and keep an eye out for changes in bipolar symptoms during times of significant change.  It's better to try and manage or control these symptoms rather than allowing them to trigger a manic or depressive episode.  

Not to far back I mentioned I was terminated from my last job as an engineer.  Well, I've settled my appeal with my former employer and things have changed.  The biggest change was to have my reason for departure changed from "terminated" to "retired due to medical reasons."  Much better.

Negotiating a settlement agreement was the right thing to do.  I wasn't getting anywhere with my appeal against my employer's decision to terminate me.  At best I would have had an opportunity to work at my old job (or similar), but this would have taken many moons.  I decided it is better to get it over with and move on!

Moving On

Now I'm in an adjustment, learning, and exploring mode.  I'm getting used to waking up whenever I want even knowing I should have a strict sleeping schedule to help contain bipolar symptoms.  I like the freedom.

On area of exploration is writing.  I enjoy writing a lot so why not check into it as a career?  I've been doing exactly this for the last six months or so.  I'm still unsure about a writing career so I will do some more research and learning about the writing biz.

For now, writing and blogging is helping me keep a daily routine, be active, and have a sense of purpose.  This is worth it regardless of writing career outcome.

Things I've Done

I've accomplished quite a few things since becoming unemployed back in 2010.  Things I have done during this period of underemployment that have helped me move on:

• Attended seminary school, enrolled in religious studies.  I took two courses and stopped.  It didn't jive with me. Too intellectual.
• Completed an online course on internet writing and marketing.
• Quit drinking alcohol (this was huge)
• Created a blog.  It has helped in many ways.  I use writing as a therapeutic mechanism.  It really helps my mood and stuff when I write.  I also benefit from the interactions with the bipolar community.
• Learned that you don't have to drive your car to work everyday.  You can work from home.
• Figured out work from home requires discipline but the freedom is bitchin dude.
• I've come to appreciate the need to have something to do!  Tennis anyone? 
• Learned how to stop spending money excessively and reduced my monthly cost of living by hundreds 
• Prepared my disability retirement application documentation (not a trivial process)
• Worked on my "emotional sobriety" (new term).  It means to maintain an emotional balance
• Remodeled my bathrooms (had to do it)

Now that my situation has stabilized for the time being, I can focus on resolving the manic mischief from summer 2010!  More to come on this!

So, what major life events are going on in your life now or are expected to happen?  What are you doing to cope with any added stress and energy drain from it?

Finally, I ask that you take this weeks poll - How long from first symptoms to diagnosis?  It means how many years were there between the time you first noticed bipolar symptoms and when you were "officially" diagnosed bipolar.  It took over three years for my diagnosis.  I first sought help in spring 1994.  I knew something was wrong but couldn't figure it out.  It wasn't until summer 1997 that I received my official diagnosis from the attending psychiatrist at the psychiatric hospital.