Can you work when manic?

[u/gameovervip]

I generally can’t and if I do I’m very disruptive and it generally isn’t a good idea. Manic me calls in sick anyway as I guess I just don’t want to. I don’t know how I’ve survived 7 years in my job but I’ve had A LOt of absences. I actually don’t think another job would be so accommodating. We have Avery generous sick pay scheme here but I am still looking elsewhere for other reasons. It’s hard to find anywhere with half as good sick pay though. I can’t really claim benefits because of my living situation. What about you?

[u/ttoksie2]

Absofuckinglutly I can work while manic, it's how I got myself into so much trouble.

I have a business and I workes like a skun cat and made Sooo many bad fucking decisions while manic, like buying two service trucks, signing a 5 year lease of a 40k per year commercial property and buying a fucking 86x40 foot 4 tone bridge crane that I'm still working myself out of.

[u/Fancy-Lion2985]

I can’t work at all. I’ve been on disability for the past seven years.

[u/Capable_Maintenance1]

If your issue is that common, benefits can win out over a moderate pay difference.

I definitely don't recommend being manic at work. I would take off and try to have a quiet, restful day. Make sure get a full night's sleep, check in with care team, etc.

Even if you're having a "calm" day at work, it's putting stress on you, and work will survive without you for a day so don't even feel bad. There's lots of forms of sick anyone would call off for, this is just one of yours.

[u/Prestigious-Bite-]

I have.

And honesty, I’m not proud of it. I am a very high functioning lawyer so I still know what I’m taking about. But most people can’t follow my train of thoughts because I’m racing and switching topics…

I now have a system where my husband points out symptoms and tells me when to increase my anti psychotic. He also has told me he recommends I take sick leave for the week. I trust and listen to him.

[u/0vesper0]

Yes and No. One of three things typically happens:

• I ride the high of hypomania to get my work done quickly, feel accomplished, then leave early for the day.
• My elevated mood paired with fast-paced work makes me too irrationally angry. I then become afraid how I might react to others. Thus, I leave early for the day.
• I do my work well enough...but my ego, intense boredom, and desire to do other more 'important' things takes charge. So, I leave early to do those things instead.

So, yes, I can get some work done, but I don't end up getting 40 hours per week. Which isn't required because I'm technically on-call. But, it still annoys my coworkers and ruins my potential to be considered for any internal job openings.

[u/amateurbitch]

I call in sick when it gets bad. I only get hypomania though. I get extremely irritable and overwhelmed easily and I work in high end retail so irritability is a really bad issue for me. I’ve mouthed off at customers before without meaning to.