Cyclothymia BiP3

A question about : Cyclothymia BiP3

Hi,

I have looked for something similar and can't find anything so I will just ask.
Outline: I'm 26, and recently diagnosed with Cyclothymia (Bi-polar III), I'm not looking for work right at this minute as I have only had one appointment with a psychiatrist, but I hope to be at some point.

Long story(not so)short

After being diagnosed with depression at 16/17 (at which point I had started my first job) and being on/off different meds for that time I stayed in that job for 5 years being promoted up to manager (my jobs ave been retail/customer service). Then left as I was 21, working 60+ hours some pweeks, the stress was unbearable and I went on long term sick. I then went on working for 3 more employers, each time the length being shorter and the time between them being longer. I also moved twice. My latest was for an insurance company for three months as it wasn't really what I expected - sales and i was c*** at it, this was Jan 13-April 13. After a few months on JSA, where to be honest I was never told to do more etc, had one or two interviews but then started volunteering for a charity shop, which I loved, for just under a year when I was told by my manager (who knew I was back on meds and sympathetic) that staff had mentioned my 'moods', they never saw me really down as I said I couldn't go in but I could be withdrawn then then be hyper the next day. I left as it made me think they thought stuff (some paranoia, some alcohol issues).

This prompted to another visit to my Dr, who then approached the subject of Bipolar (father and grandfather suffered) then referred to psych hospital. Took a while, where I got the Cyclothymia and more meds on top.

I am glad I have an answer as now going over whats happened in the past ten years make more sense, and I can give an explanation as to why I have left, gaps etc, but then I think of all the stigma that's still surrounded by Mental Health and the sectors I have experience in and I love doing don't seem able to do.

Going back into volunteering will always be an option to prove, I suppose, but I was wondering if anyone has gone through a similar thing or how to approach the subject. Or are you responsible for hiring/looking at applications (I'm not going to lie on them)

Thanks for anything

Also HAPPY NEW YEAR

Best answers:

• As a first note - discriminating against someone for a disability when it comes to employment - and severe bipolar qualifies - is - with narrow exceptions - illegal.