Looking for Liz's input here...how do you deal with a bi-polar worker?

I have this chick that sits near me at work and I definitely can tell she's bi-polar. One minute nice, next a raging nutjob. She'll have all these freak out episodes on the phone (personal), wander over while you're on a phone with clients and ***** openly about her life, her job, etc. She's demanding, rude, and doesn't listen when you tell her something. She's been incredibly nasty to both client's and Sales, yet management does nothing about her.

Her behavior is totally irratic and I've thought more than once about moving my seat just to get away from her.

I try to avoid eye/any contact with her but since I'm the only one in the row today, she's going to be crawling up my a z z!! Helpp!!!!!

wait, you need my input because I'm bi-polar or because I'm surrounded by them?

The easy advice is just avoid her like the plague, play the I-can't-hear-you game or the I'm-pi$$ed-off-and-busy game. Those are non-confrontational.
Sometimes those don't work and she'll lose her $hit anyway and get right in your personal space. So here's the hard advice. If she starts to bug tell her, in no uncertain terms, 'This is not the place for crazy or annoying, we have to work together but this is inappropriate and disruptive. Please leave me alone.'

Hope that helps!

Hey Shar....I know what you mean...she has come over to my desk to complian at least 3 times today....I guess you were busy.

I know she hates it here...but lately we all feel that way...and complaining about it just reminds me how much I cant wait until January...when I will make my exit...SHHHHH its a secret.

If you can get away for a little let me know...we'll do lunch. At least that is some time away from the crazy rants

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Posted by am470

Just to clarify, you are not describing someone who is bipolar. A person who is bipolar experiences High Highs and Low Lows. In other words, they alternate between periods of mania and depression. That is not what you are describing. I just wanted to clarify so that you do not offend anyone who might be.

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Just so ya know-that's not true. I'm bi-polar, and there are two kinds, bi-polar I and bi-polar 2-there is something called hypo-mania, which is less manic than what poeple normally associate-it might include high energy, fast talking, minor shopping sprees. There is also something called rapid cycling, where your mood can change day by day, even hour by hour.
As someone that has this disorder, let me just say-we can be hellish to deal with, particularly when we are symptomatic.
The earlier post was right, stay non-confrontational, and out of it-if you don't give her any feedback, there's a better chance she'll avoid you.
There is something referred to as the 'bi-polar conversation'-where we try to get out our feelings verbally, and it usually is all over the place-avoid this, it can be scary
Just another super fun thing to deal with, along with my fat thighs

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Posted by LFitzy79

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Posted by am470

Just to clarify, you are not describing someone who is bipolar. A person who is bipolar experiences High Highs and Low Lows. In other words, they alternate between periods of mania and depression. That is not what you are describing. I just wanted to clarify so that you do not offend anyone who might be.

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Just so ya know-that's not true. I'm bi-polar, and there are two kinds, bi-polar I and bi-polar 2-there is something called hypo-mania, which is less manic than what poeple normally associate-it might include high energy, fast talking, minor shopping sprees. There is also something called rapid cycling, where your mood can change day by day, even hour by hour.
As someone that has this disorder, let me just say-we can be hellish to deal with, particularly when we are symptomatic.
The earlier post was right, stay non-confrontational, and out of it-if you don't give her any feedback, there's a better chance she'll avoid you.
There is something referred to as the 'bi-polar conversation'-where we try to get out our feelings verbally, and it usually is all over the place-avoid this, it can be scary
Just another super fun thing to deal with, along with my fat thighs

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I am getting my Phd in psychology next month and I am a psychology professor. So of course I am familiar with hypomania and rapid cyclers.

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Posted by am470

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Posted by LFitzy79

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Posted by am470

Just to clarify, you are not describing someone who is bipolar. A person who is bipolar experiences High Highs and Low Lows. In other words, they alternate between periods of mania and depression. That is not what you are describing. I just wanted to clarify so that you do not offend anyone who might be.

---

Just so ya know-that's not true. I'm bi-polar, and there are two kinds, bi-polar I and bi-polar 2-there is something called hypo-mania, which is less manic than what poeple normally associate-it might include high energy, fast talking, minor shopping sprees. There is also something called rapid cycling, where your mood can change day by day, even hour by hour.
As someone that has this disorder, let me just say-we can be hellish to deal with, particularly when we are symptomatic.
The earlier post was right, stay non-confrontational, and out of it-if you don't give her any feedback, there's a better chance she'll avoid you.
There is something referred to as the 'bi-polar conversation'-where we try to get out our feelings verbally, and it usually is all over the place-avoid this, it can be scary
Just another super fun thing to deal with, along with my fat thighs

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I am getting my Phd in psychology next month and I am a psychology professor. So of course I am familiar with hypomania and rapid cyclers.

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That's great, I'm confused then as to why you described mania and depression as high high's and low low's, when they can be minor and in such forms as irritation, or guilt-they are not always extreme. I can appreciate that you've studied it, and have a textbook understanding.
Try to understand that others might have more insight than you, particularly people who are suffering from and getting treated for the disorder.

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Posted by LFitzy79

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Posted by am470

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Posted by LFitzy79

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Posted by am470

Just to clarify, you are not describing someone who is bipolar. A person who is bipolar experiences High Highs and Low Lows. In other words, they alternate between periods of mania and depression. That is not what you are describing. I just wanted to clarify so that you do not offend anyone who might be.

---

Just so ya know-that's not true. I'm bi-polar, and there are two kinds, bi-polar I and bi-polar 2-there is something called hypo-mania, which is less manic than what poeple normally associate-it might include high energy, fast talking, minor shopping sprees. There is also something called rapid cycling, where your mood can change day by day, even hour by hour.
As someone that has this disorder, let me just say-we can be hellish to deal with, particularly when we are symptomatic.
The earlier post was right, stay non-confrontational, and out of it-if you don't give her any feedback, there's a better chance she'll avoid you.
There is something referred to as the 'bi-polar conversation'-where we try to get out our feelings verbally, and it usually is all over the place-avoid this, it can be scary
Just another super fun thing to deal with, along with my fat thighs

---

I am getting my Phd in psychology next month and I am a psychology professor. So of course I am familiar with hypomania and rapid cyclers.

---

That's great, I'm confused then as to why you described mania and depression as high high's and low low's, when they can be minor and in such forms as irritation, or guilt-they are not always extreme. I can appreciate that you've studied it, and have a textbook understanding.
Try to understand that others might have more insight than you, particularly people who are suffering from and getting treated for the disorder.

---

First of all, I was trying to be helpful. I was not providing an indepth analysis of bipolar disorder. Just a one sentence summary. It is typically described as high highs and low lows. In the case of hypomania, we still have low lows and not-as-high highs. Obviously, there are other symptoms. I think your remark was meant to be disparaging which is frustrating considering I was trying to be helpful. I would not describe my level of understanding as 'textbook' considering that I have worked with easily over 200 patients with bipolar performing group and individual therapy in an in-patient and partial-hospitalization setting. I don't have bipolar, so I obviously have not experienced it. However, I would not classify my understanding as mearly textbook as you ignorantly implied. Again, none of my comments were meant to create a problem. It is unfortunate you viewed them that way.

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Posted by am470

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Posted by LFitzy79

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Posted by am470

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Posted by LFitzy79

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Posted by am470

Just to clarify, you are not describing someone who is bipolar. A person who is bipolar experiences High Highs and Low Lows. In other words, they alternate between periods of mania and depression. That is not what you are describing. I just wanted to clarify so that you do not offend anyone who might be.

---

Just so ya know-that's not true. I'm bi-polar, and there are two kinds, bi-polar I and bi-polar 2-there is something called hypo-mania, which is less manic than what poeple normally associate-it might include high energy, fast talking, minor shopping sprees. There is also something called rapid cycling, where your mood can change day by day, even hour by hour.
As someone that has this disorder, let me just say-we can be hellish to deal with, particularly when we are symptomatic.
The earlier post was right, stay non-confrontational, and out of it-if you don't give her any feedback, there's a better chance she'll avoid you.
There is something referred to as the 'bi-polar conversation'-where we try to get out our feelings verbally, and it usually is all over the place-avoid this, it can be scary
Just another super fun thing to deal with, along with my fat thighs

---

I am getting my Phd in psychology next month and I am a psychology professor. So of course I am familiar with hypomania and rapid cyclers.

---

That's great, I'm confused then as to why you described mania and depression as high high's and low low's, when they can be minor and in such forms as irritation, or guilt-they are not always extreme. I can appreciate that you've studied it, and have a textbook understanding.
Try to understand that others might have more insight than you, particularly people who are suffering from and getting treated for the disorder.

---

First of all, I was trying to be helpful. I was not providing an indepth analysis of bipolar disorder. Just a one sentence summary. It is typically described as high highs and low lows. In the case of hypomania, we still have low lows and not-as-high highs. Obviously, there are other symptoms. I think your remark was meant to be disparaging which is frustrating considering I was trying to be helpful. I would not describe my level of understanding as 'textbook' considering that I have worked with easily over 200 patients with bipolar performing group and individual therapy in an in-patient and partial-hospitalization setting. I don't have bipolar, so I obviously have not experienced it. However, I would not classify my understanding as mearly textbook as you ignorantly implied. Again, none of my comments were meant to create a problem. It is unfortunate you viewed them that way.

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What's unfortunate is that you were offended by my clarification of your post, and replied with your credentials. I was attempting to offer a more intimate explanation of certain areas of the disorder.
I would still classify your experience with bi-polar disorder as 'textbook', or 'clinical' if that's a term you're more comfortable with, as the 200+ patients that you have come into contact with were all in a therapy environment. I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings, it's just different than being/knowing/loving someone with bi-polar.
My initial post, was a 'just so ya know' meant to benefit others who were reading the thread, so they may be appraised of the minor nuances. The majority of society view bi-polar disorder as a disorder that exists in the extreme-we know that's not the case.
It's not always easy to determine the mood of a written passage--and it's clear that you took offense to my broadening explanation. I was also trying to be helpful.
It's also clear that this thread has gotten way off topic and into a little post-was between the two of us, so, here are my thoughts, while I respect your thoughts, and opinions-I hold true to my own, and I hope that you can appreciate them without writing them off to ignorance.

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Posted by ambersmom

Got time now sweetie, let's boogie!!

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Hi Shar...Im so glad that we got out of the office today....things have not been so wonderful around the office. Everyone is so unhappy here.