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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by EtktRide on April 23, 2004, at 20:57:38
Does anyone have ideas for good jobs that kinda make my compulsiveness and agressiveness into a positive thing?
M
Posted by octopusprime on April 23, 2004, at 22:38:00
In reply to What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in?, posted by EtktRide on April 23, 2004, at 20:57:38
software development? (heh or maybe i just think everybody i work with in software is crazy)
sales?
prison guard?
lion tamer?
cop? (snerk)
Posted by tabitha on April 23, 2004, at 23:25:09
In reply to Re: What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in?, posted by octopusprime on April 23, 2004, at 22:38:00
> software development? (heh or maybe i just think everybody i work with in software is crazy)
>Yeah, it's good when you're mildly depressed, because you just sit in one place and stare at a screen all day and don't have to talk to anyone; and it's good when you're mildy manic, because you can obsessively code for 14 hours straight.
Posted by noa on April 24, 2004, at 8:27:38
In reply to Re: What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in?, posted by tabitha on April 23, 2004, at 23:25:09
Maybe in jobs with non-regular work hours and untypical boss-worker set ups? Like working as a consultant or contractor rather than a regular employee who has to deal regularly with ordinary work hours or ordinary office politics or ordinary staff meetings or ordinary relating to the boss, etc.? Where work can happen in spurts, more independence is assumed, and creativity is needed?
Posted by octopusprime on April 24, 2004, at 10:21:00
In reply to Re: What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in?, posted by tabitha on April 23, 2004, at 23:25:09
> > software development? (heh or maybe i just think everybody i work with in software is crazy)
> >
>
> Yeah, it's good when you're mildly depressed, because you just sit in one place and stare at a screen all day and don't have to talk to anyone; and it's good when you're mildy manic, because you can obsessively code for 14 hours straight.in a way it's terrible though, because your job tends to reinforce bad habits. i know i personally spend way too much time staring blankly at a monitor ...
and should your depression happen to coincide with a deadline, look out! major stress ...
it only works if you can be hypomanic when the boss is requiring overtime of everybody to deliver ...
Posted by jay on April 24, 2004, at 14:37:56
In reply to What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in?, posted by EtktRide on April 23, 2004, at 20:57:38
> Does anyone have ideas for good jobs that kinda make my compulsiveness and agressiveness into a positive thing?
>
> M
I’d really have to say the opposite of some suggestions, my bias being towards human services and social work. It *forces* you to get better people skills, and you learn more about relationships, and have a richer, wider and fuller experience and outlook on life because of your knowledge and experience..IMHO. From the suffering you have gone through, you can empathise with others much easier, and become more graceful towards yourself and the world. You can help that person who is stuck in the gutter of life, and man does it make you feel *good*! I don’t think there is as close to a ‘high’ in life that you experience when you have dearly helped someone. So, it goes both ways.I originally wanted to be a biologist, working in the wild, but my ‘slip’ with depression changed everything. Now, even though I have never been in these circumstances, I find myself able to empathise with the ‘criminals’, the down-trodden, the poor, the abused, and the abusers...and most people who are tossed aside by the rest of society.
Anyhow..that’s my take, :-)
Best,
Jay
Posted by spoc on April 24, 2004, at 15:23:44
In reply to Re: What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in?, posted by noa on April 24, 2004, at 8:27:38
> Maybe in jobs with non-regular work hours and untypical boss-worker set ups? Like working as a consultant or contractor rather than a regular employee who has to deal regularly with ordinary work hours or ordinary office politics or ordinary staff meetings or ordinary relating to the boss, etc.? Where work can happen in spurts, more independence is assumed, and creativity is needed? >
------That's a great fit, but I wanted to say, don't phinagle TOO much latitude, like I did. I am 110% free to do -- or not do -- as I wish, and for complicated reasons I won't get into, it's much less likely to be discovered if I let myself fall asleep at the wheel. Which I shouldn't make sound trivial -- if I fall asleep at it, that is actually coming from slipping into increasing periods of a lethargic depression that leads to inefficiency; OR being able to get hyperattentive/sidetracked by things unrelated to work. And to let that continue with few constraints.
It also has made me exponentially less likely to work on or fight my problems and nature, to expose myself to the things I do need to remember how to -- or learn how to -- handle.
But, EtktRide, it sounds like you don't have these tendencies, that you are mostly drive and energy. So they might not be dangers to you. A person with ambition radiating from any source will so often do spectacularly if allowed to stop trying to flow with the mainstream. I'm not ambitious, and am obsessive about things I start, but not manic or energetic about them. So for me, any time I free up through increasing my flexibility ends up getting spent in either other things taking longer; or in rolling over and giving up because I *can.*
Posted by judy1 on April 28, 2004, at 11:36:35
In reply to What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in?, posted by EtktRide on April 23, 2004, at 20:57:38
there are software companies in the bay area (CA) that just love hiring people with bipolar disorder- especially the hypomanic phase when some people are driven to work 24 hours/day. personally I had to leave my work as a scientist and go on disability because of my (then) rapid cycling. my pdoc has suggested jobs that involve working from home and making your own hours- consulting, that type of thing. I also agree that many of us go into the mental health field once we are better just to give back.
best of luck, judy
Posted by Escher Dementian on April 30, 2004, at 2:16:20
In reply to What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in?, posted by EtktRide on April 23, 2004, at 20:57:38
Acting.
It was my first thought. That range of human experience would inform an actor's genius very successfully. I've also read that the majority of top paid actors _are_ BiPolar. ...Watch out for the flying emotions and deadlines, though, no? i guess that's where the 'work' or the 'craft' part gets developed? My guess is that the rest is sheer giftedness.
My silly little $0.02,
Escher
Posted by firenrain on April 30, 2004, at 12:25:40
In reply to Re: What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in? » tabitha, posted by octopusprime on April 24, 2004, at 10:21:00
All I can say is hair stylist/colorist is great when your on an even keel or even hypo-manic (creativity)but, when you are depressed it is next to impossible to be upbeat and codle all of your clients esp. if your dep. is like mine. All I want is to be in a dark room alone. I would think that's how it is with any job that puts you out in the public. It has cost me a large part of my clientel calling out "sick". and being hospitalized for weeks at a time. I would think there would be more job stability/security if you weren't dealing with the public one on one all day.
Posted by Ambassador B on May 2, 2004, at 13:37:24
In reply to Re: What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in?, posted by Escher Dementian on April 30, 2004, at 2:16:20
Motivated BP's will almost certainly succeed in any endeavor they choose to pursue.
Motivated BP's will also almost certainly either quit in a fit of frustration and rage or get fired from any endeavor they choose to pursue.
So rejoice, for Destiny has elected you to experience a rich diversity of employment opportunites that most others can't imagine!
Congratulations!
Now go in peace.
My followers get what they pay for.
Ambassador B
Posted by fredtcat on July 24, 2007, at 9:58:35
In reply to Re: What Jobs do BiPolar's do well in?, posted by Ambassador B on May 2, 2004, at 13:37:24
> Motivated BP's will almost certainly succeed in any endeavor they choose to pursue.
>
> Motivated BP's will also almost certainly either quit in a fit of frustration and rage or get fired from any endeavor they choose to pursue.
>
> So rejoice, for Destiny has elected you to experience a rich diversity of employment opportunites that most others can't imagine!However it makes it a real pain to write a resume or job application that requires you to input _all_ your work experience. ;)
Personally, I drive a truck and I'm BP type II. It's pretty much the norm in the industry to change companies often (although it's getting a lot harder to do so nowdays) and to be upset/verbally abusive with your boss (and there's plenty of things to get angry about -- I just had a verbal fight with mine last friday and by Monday it's as if nothing ever happened -- of course it's probably on my report, but oh well.). You basically set your own hours, eating and sleep schedule (if you're in a good company with plenty of work), and as long as the load gets there on time and you don't get into a wreck, you're good.
However, there's plenty of drug tests, background checks, etc; so some of that can be a little hard to explain.
Also, I find that it's almost impossible to find person to person contact some days, and if you have a family, be prepared to lose them because you will never see them (I'm home about 4 days a month, every other week. Most drivers are out longer than that), and getting home to see the doctor is a chore requiring some serious scheduling (like trying to see all your doctors in the same day on the weekend).
Another downside is that there's absolutely NO creativity in this job, which can lead me to frusteration some times (someday I'll learn to draw or paint to keep me occupied).
Anyway, this is really a good question. I have often wondered what I should do if I quit trucking for good. I would really like to hear what others have done that worked out well or not so well for them.
Thanks!
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