Bipolar Challenges

Bipolar disorder has been found to affect the productivity of professionals of all backgrounds in the workplace causing them to miss many more days of work even when compared to the higher number of professionals who suffer from major depression which is six times greater.

The rate of absenteeism and loss of productivity among bipolar patients is attributed more so to the intense depression episodes of bipolar than the periods of mania.  It has been estimated that this particular condition costs employers well over fourteen billion dollars annually when it comes to overall productivity.

Productivity

When a person experiences an episode of bipolar disorder, they experience varying degrees of both mania and depression. When experiencing mania, it is not at all uncommon for the individual to experience excitability, racing thoughts, and the inability to sit and focus on tasks.

When a sufferer experiences a depressive episode, it is common for the energy levels to be drastically decreased, the concentration efforts to be hindered drastically, and the motivation level to reach an all time low. Naturally, if a professional is experiencing mania and/or depression, it will be relatively difficult for them to be productive in the way that they need to when it comes to their professional responsibilities.

Absenteeism

Many individuals that work in a professional setting and suffer from bipolar disorder will simply miss work when they experience the mania and/or depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. These individuals may experience embarrassment due to the fact that they suffer in the way that they do, and will elect to take time off of work rather than go into work and allow others to observe them in that particular state of mind.

Many individuals will find that when they are experiencing the symptoms of this condition that they experience issues with time management, the social aspects of their professional position, and their performance as a whole. The impact of bipolar disorder is devastating on professionals. However, it has been found that if a patient engages in treatment, they are less likely to suffer in the workplace.