Managing bipolar disorder and work demands can feel really daunting.
In 2018, Emily Washcovick, now 31, really loved her busy marketing job at a tech company.
That year Washcovick was hospitalized after having a manic episode and was diagnosed withbipolar disorder.
Strelciuc Dumitru / Getty
After her diagnosis Washcovick took three months off work for treatment.
Before I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018, mywork-life balancewas nonexistent.
After several years of living like this, I reached a breaking point.
I hadnt slept for three days leading up to the manic episode that led to my bipolar disorder diagnosis.
I signed in to an inpatienttreatment programat a mental health hospital and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
After six days I went home but continued on with an outpatient treatment program for the next eight weeks.
At the time my treatment team was concerned that my job could triggermanic episodes.
He immediately asked what he could do to double-check work was a healthy place for me.
I started putting boundaries in place.
For instance, I cut down on multitasking.
I also started setting strict work hours for myself.
When I get excited about something, I can go, go, go.
When the pandemic started, I was instantly stuck at home.
I would find myself working late at night again or on the weekends.
I give myself a 15-minute warning that myworkdayis nearly over and that I need to start wrapping up.
After a while I found that I was feeling irritated and overwhelmed by midday.
Now I give myself an hour every morning to drink my coffee and walk my dog, Oscar.
Ive also started blocking out 30 minutes every day when Im unavailable for meetings.
That way my colleagues know in advance.
This break helps me feel like Im a priority and that my life is not just about work.
And I want to respect my own limits on how many days I can comfortably be away from home.
Before my diagnosis, setting boundaries at work sounded really nice, but I never prioritized it.
I thought work was so much more important, and setting boundaries can feel intimidating.
Now my perspective about work is so different than before.
I know my mental and physical health is my top priority.
