Thursday, December 13, 2007

Bipolar Disorder In The Workplace

First of a series:

Calling the pharmacy for a refill from work:

"Hello, I need a refill."

"Certainly. Can I have your name and date of birth?"
(I give name and DOB)
"I pulled you up in our system. Which prescription were you needing to refill?"

"I’m in a crowded workplace right now. I don’t need the Zolpidem, and I don’t need the Lamictal…"

"Do you need the Lithium?"

"Yes. Thank you very much."


I don’t hesitate to ask for Lamictal out loud, as that’s also used for epilepsy. Isn’t it a shame that I wouldn’t mind disclosing epilepsy if I had it, yet I don’t feel I can disclose bipolar disorder?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would flip if I got a call like that in public.

Thanks for the link. I'll put you on mine when I get to updating the sidebar, which turned out to be more complicated with Wordpress than Blogger.

Unknown said...

EXACTLY. I do the same thing. I take Lamictal too, and I'll say exactly what you do until I get to "Seroquel", and wait for them to mention it first. That could mean I'm actually schizophrenic instead of "just" being bipolar!!! Hey - it could ALWAYS be worse...

Anonymous said...

would just like to clarify for those who do not know, that while schizophrenia certainly has a worse stigma attached to it it is by no means a worse problem than bipolar. Many people recover completely from schizophrenia and bipolar. I've worked with both schizophrenics and bipolar people as a social worker and I have certainly seen both issues being anywhere from severe to mild and all levels of functioning with both labels. The good news is that people recover from both.
Gianna

Jon said...

Mysadalteredego - sorry for the confusion, I was making a call to the pharmacy. Thanks for your comment.

KS - yep - Seroquel isn't quite as recognizable as Lithium, but for those who have heard of it there would be significant stigma. I stop by your blog from time to time, but not often enough. I hope your life is good.

Gianna - thanks for that insight. I have always considered schizophrenia a cruel disorder, but I understand your point.

I am interested in your statement about complete recovery. By recovery do you mean a cessation of symptoms to the point of being able to enter the mainstream, or are you actually talking about cure?

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I want to hear the recovery too.

Anonymous said...

I use the term recovery because it's softer and can be understood with nuances.

There are no cures for our personalities. But for dysfuncition, agony and insanity?? yes I know lots of people who have made it to the other side.