Bipolar and occupational health

[Youmustwakeup]

I was diagnosed 10 years ago and since that time I have had more sections than I can count-over ten I think. I've had more ECT sessions than I can think of. I'm on shed loads of medication. And I struggle to hold down a job.

That said, in 2024 I started a new job and had at that point been stable for 12 months. I loved the job and got promoted last summer and moved to another team. In autumn 2025 I had a psychotic episode and was sectioned again. And thats when my employer found out.

They have been nothing but supportive and kind and lovely. I've got an amazing manager. I came back on half days and they don't want to increase my hours until I've been seen by OH. That appointment is tomorrow morning.

I'm absolutely dreading it. I was originally meant to see another OH doctor but he read through my discharge letter and declined, saying that I was too complex.

I hate the look of surprise when I explain about multiple sections. I hate the shock when I explain I've had ECT. When they see how many medications I'm on.

I try SO damn hard to stay in employment and I'm good at my job. But I can't promise I won't crash again and it is so bloody unfair that I have BPAD when I could really excel in my career if I didn't end up sectioned every year or so.

Triggers tend to be fatigue so I'm very hot on sleep hygiene. I do everything I can but it doesn't seem enough.

I am surprised an OHP declined to see you as you are too complex. They will assess your fitness for work and recommend adjustments to your employer. It’s up to your employer to decide if the recommended adjustments are reasonable. If they need more information to make a decision, they will ask for a medical report.

Oh, I know what they will do... i'm just queries about the potential impact of the report on my career.

Queries =worried

So whilst I don't have bipolar (ahem anymore) I did, when I started my job after being too unwell to work for 3 years after my last suicide attempt, have a bipolar diagnosis and was on medication for bipolar (for context that diagnosis was removed and I was then diagnosed with ADHD though still suffer with severe depression and anxiety) . And have had meetings with Occ health and HR about it.

So I want to try and reassure you that they will hopefully do their best to listen and recommend adjustments that could help. For me it was agreed I would not work morning shifts (due to the drowsiness of the anti psychotics-i was on the max dose of olanzapine at the time), that I wouldn't work shifts longer than y hours (as the stress tended to be worse the longer hours I worked) and that it would be beneficial to me to have fixed days-so for the past 10 years I've basically worked the exact same 4 days every week-which also gives me 3 consecutive days off in-between shifts- personally this was a huge help as I was massively struggling with having varying days and with not having a set routine and also being able to sort medical appointments.

The OH went through my diagnosis, what symptoms I struggled with most, what side effects I had from medication and also if there was anything I couldn't do for safety reasons. And whilst it's more of a recommendation I do find companies tend to engage with the suggestions and a good one will accommodate it if they can. They also as my employer using the Bradford scale gave me slightly more leeway in terms of direct disability related absences not necessarily being counted towards to total absence.

All I can advise is be honest and try to work with them. From what you've said in your OP with them already giving reduced hours and not wanting to increase without you seeing OH it does tbh seem they do seem to care and will be willing to help try and make it work for you.

Honestly it's hard when you're living with mental illness. Tbh at my worst/most ill I genuinely feared and believed I'd never be well enough to ven try working again. And whilst I admit I am unfortunately unable to work full time (tried and failed multiple times)I have managed to stay in the same job for 13 years part time. Wishing you the best of luck ❤️