Borderline Personality Disorder and Work

[KrustyTheKat]

Hi
I've recently been diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (more commonly known as BPD).
This diagnoses comes after years of seeking help and being told I may have bi-polar or some other mood disorder that no professional wanted to label.
I've had a really rough time the last 18 months and have been out of work for that time. I would like to get back into employment but I don't think I'll be able to get a good reference from my last job (I walked out mid way through the day after having a sort of mental breakdown).
I'm also struggling to think of a good job to work in due to my condition. I have major issues with getting along with people and this has lead to me having numerous different jobs that just don't last. Also stress is a massive trigger for me.
Are there any fellow sufferers who work successfully?.....what sort of job do you do?.....

Well I was diagnosed around four years ago and have not worked for around a year. I have half heartedly looked for work but my psychiatrist has said not to focus on it too much right now. I have therapy coming up and once I know what days it will be I will look for work around those days. Having said that I have been warned that it will be upsetting. My psychiatrist said that I have likely had bpd for over 20 years and I'm 43 now. I have always worked up until a year ago and have successfully completed and did well an academic degree.

I have always worked but it was very challenging when going through particularly bad patches.

It's more about your line manager and colleagues tbh.

I've had accept my progression is limited, I avoid stress, rest at the weekends (well have a break from people).

Hello. Recently diagnosed and it does affect me at work. Not the job itself but i have zero ability to cope with all the bullshit politics and changes happening at work at the moment. I cannot deal with uncertainty and not being kept in the loop.

I used to be a scientist but had a massive breakdown after dd2 and now retraining asa veterinary nurse. I am good at my job which in itself is emotionally challenging at times but it is all the politics and bitching i can't cope with. I have had a few melt downs at work.

My employers are supportive to a degree but it does impact.

YeAh a team without bullshit and politics makes a huge difference!

My best friend is also a colleague and suffers from BPD. She has a very very understanding boss and works in a small and equally understanding team. This is something that is going to be a challenge to find.

The type of work is key, she is a type of data analyst. It's quite boring and repetitive (I have the same job!) but pretty low pressure and with almost no requirement to work 'with' other people. We are allowed to sit and do our work with headphones in if we want and there is zero interaction with the public.

I know this sort of thing might not be everyone's cup of tea but for her it provides stability, a challenge (it's a technical kind of job) but allows her to retreat when she's struggling.

Mistermagpie that sounds like my dream job. How did you get into it?

i was diagnosed 6 years ago after a total breakdown. i resigned my job from the psych ward and haven’t worked since.

i take a lot of heavy medication. i am certainly not reliable as some days i am asleep for 22 hours out of 24. i also have arthritis and my thyroid is borked so at 45 i am officially medically retired (cashed in my pension in a mad fit of spending fever and now rely entirely on my ESA and PIP).

i keep thinking i could do some care work, or even volunteer but honestly i need to accept that my working days are gone. i struggle to fill my days as i have horrible anxiety and a very short attention span, but i should be getting some therapy starting soonish, so that will be a little bit of routine for me. i’m seriously contemplating ECT as well.

BPD is horrible, and there is a stigma attached to the diagnosis that is massively unfair (but that’s just my persecution complex talking. heh) but there is treatment. i mean, not in my area as the trust is in special measures, but generally it is no longer the case that it’s considered ‘untreatable’.

you’ll be ok, OP. just different, but different can be ok too.

I agree, the stigma is awful and I don't generally tell anyone my diagnosis. I'm not manipulative etc . I don't want people making assumptions about me without getting to know me. I take three different types of medication which wipes me out but I somehow manage to function. At work I would constantly be paranoid that people didn't like me or were talking about me which impacted on my work. I haven't stayed in a job for more than two years at a time but I made sure I had another job to go to.

Hi
Thanks for all your messages. It's encouraging to hear others have successfully remained in employment. I think it's about finding the right job with the right people (which may be a challenge). I think I will have to disclose what's wrong with me too as at least this will explain why I am the way I am.

Hi I also have BPD. I didn’t work for quite a few years , didn’t link it to mental health at the time but I wouldn’t ever stick with the same jobs, move house, change relationships etc, have a baby... I decided to volunteer which I can’t recommend enough! It got me back into the work mode slowly without any pressure to stay put... I ended up really enjoying it and as a consequence went back to uni, retrained and am about to start work properly! But part time hours, which I think is key, assess your limitations and don’t be afraid to ask for help.