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a question about mental illness and interviews

Hi all. I suffer from cPTSD and bipolar disorder. Because of this, I have severe bouts of depression that make it difficult to lift my head off a pillow, let alone work. For those who don't experience this, imagine trying to move with a wet blanket draped on your body. It's possible, but it's hard. I'm a 32f who has worked for a long time but was finally diagnosed. I'm seeing patterns of mine and hoping to avoid those in the future. I've recently FINALLY gotten my medication, and immediately I'm able to be a person again. Last night I laughed while I helped my girls in their bath time. This morning, after taking my first dose of seroquel last night, I've bathed, done laundry, made cookies, cleaned, gave my big dog a serious grooming session (he got out for 2 nights and came home matted) cleaned the bathroom after…


Hi all.

I suffer from cPTSD and bipolar disorder. Because of this, I have severe bouts of depression that make it difficult to lift my head off a pillow, let alone work. For those who don't experience this, imagine trying to move with a wet blanket draped on your body. It's possible, but it's hard. I'm a 32f who has worked for a long time but was finally diagnosed. I'm seeing patterns of mine and hoping to avoid those in the future.

I've recently FINALLY gotten my medication, and immediately I'm able to be a person again. Last night I laughed while I helped my girls in their bath time.

This morning, after taking my first dose of seroquel last night, I've bathed, done laundry, made cookies, cleaned, gave my big dog a serious grooming session (he got out for 2 nights and came home matted) cleaned the bathroom after that mess, had a quick shower to wash the dog away, and made dinner for my kids. All this to say that when I'm properly medicated I can actually be very productive. I like to do things so I can enjoy the not doing things more.

Anyway, on to my question.

I'm wondering what people who have similar bouts of issues like this say when interviewing? I have issues getting my meds filled sometimes and when I go without, I feel very unmotivated. Do you tell your interviewer about this issue? Bring it up after you've been hired?

I do not plan on often missing work, but this last assignment I did, I was absolutely terrible. I had 0 medication the whole time and was (rightly) let go for poor attendance. I was honest about why I wasn't coming in, but didn't mention my issues when I first interviewed. It was mentioned in my termination the case may have been different if I had mentioned my mental health. For reference, I missed 3 days during the four weeks I worked there, and during the fifth I didn't show up at all (I did communicate, not no call no show).

I'm curious if people agree this should have been how I should have acted?

Sorry for the long post.

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