Many people with bipolar disorder find that stress management is one of the most important components of symptom management. Limiting and managing stress is vital for everyone, of course; stress has a large number of known mental and physical health effects, including an increased risk of depression, insomnia, and heart disease. That said, episodes and symptoms can be exacerbated or even triggered by stress in those with bipolar disorder, making it particularly important to keep stress low. First, know that people with bipolar disorder can do anything. There are people with bipolar disorder in so many different fields, including celebrities who work in the entertainment world and have opened up about having bipolar disorder. For those looking for low-stress jobs for bipolar disorder, or for those with bipolar disorder who are wondering what career to go into to keep stress low, here are some ideas.
Low-Stress Jobs For Bipolar
Graphic Design
If you have a skill like graphic design, that is something to take advantage of. You can work for specific companies as a graphic designer, or you can work for yourself. Often, graphic designers can create their schedules. The average salary for a graphic designer is around $45,684/year, according to payscale.com.
Optician Or Optical Offices
Most of the time, places that sell eyeglasses aren’t open past 8 pm or so, nor do they have ridiculously early start times. Your work will be consistent, and you won’t often be completely swarmed with clients the way that you would in many retail settings, even if you work at the front desk at an optical office. What position you take in an optical office will, of course, depend on your qualifications. If you’re interested in becoming an optician, you will have to obtain licensure and the necessary certifications. The average salary for an optician is $47,349/year, according to salary.com.
Working With Animals
There are a lot of options for working with animals that might be a good fit for someone with bipolar disorder. Watching people’s pets while they’re away, being a dog walker, or working at a doggy daycare are all different options. Especially if you need work with flexible hours that allow time for self-care, being a dog walker or pet sitter is an excellent option for animal lovers. The average annual salary for dog walkers in the United States is $31,225, according to salary.com.
Medical Records
Updating medical records is a steady, stable job. If you’re interested in working in the medical environment but prefer to be hands-off and want to relieve some of the stress and potential for chaotic hours that tend to be prevalent in many positions in the medical field, this is an excellent option. You’ll be helping office staff and patients alike. The average medical record keeper's salary is $35,634 in the United States, according to payscale.com.
Dental Offices
Working in a dental office, whether that means keeping records or working as a receptionist, is calmer than in many other medical environments. You won’t be working late nights, and again, you’ll be helping both clients and office staff. Someone who works as a dental office receptionist makes an average of $35,872/ year, according to salary.com.
Dental Hygienist
If you’re interested in working with dental clients hands-on, you might consider becoming a dental hygienist. It’s steady work, and a dental hygienist makes about $59,710 per year, according to payscale.com.
Copywriting
Copywriters are in high demand. If you’ve taken a copywriting class or are interested in doing so, this is a fantastic option. A copywriter makes an average of $55,246 on an annual basis, according to payscale.com.
Photographer
Being a photographer can be a fun job for those with bipolar disorder who have an eye for photography. This could mean working for yourself or taking photos with a company. The average salary for a photographer is $65,878/year, according to salary.com.
Video Editor
Anyone with video editing skills is in luck nowadays. Often, you can take on as many clients as you like and make your hours. Like with graphic design and copywriting, time management skills are important as a video editor. If you have bipolar disorder and a passion for video editing, this is a great fit. $37,610/year is the average salary for a video editor in the United States, according to salary.com.
Accounting
Stress levels vary from position to position, but oftentimes, this is a great job for those with bipolar disorder who are seeking steady work and have a degree in accounting or want to pursue one. According to payscale.com, an accountant makes about $54,406/year.
Software Development
If you’re tech-savvy and have software development skills, you’re very much in luck. This is a fantastic industry to work in nowadays, and it can be a great fit for those with bipolar disorder. Software development positions generally require a Bachelor’s degree. If it’s something you’re passionate about, consider a software development career. The average annual salary for someone working in software development is $71,675, according to payscale.com.
Entrepreneurial Work
Being an entrepreneur can mean a lot of different things. You could build your own business as a content creator, life coach, building and selling online courses, making and selling art and other products, or something else. If you prefer to work for yourself, you might just be an excellent entrepreneur. The amount of money you’ll make as an entrepreneur varies substantially depending on several factors, including what your business is and how much you work.
Stores And Shops
Maybe you want to work in a craft store, or perhaps, you’re interested in stocking shelves. There are a ton of different jobs you can take in stores or shops of your choice – you might work for a big retailer, or you might work for a local shop selling something that you’re passionate about, like a cosmetics shop or a sporting goods shop. The hourly wage and annual salary for retail employees differ significantly depending on factors like location, experience, and the specific shop or store you work for, but according to payscale.com, retail workers will typically make somewhere from $8.72 – $15.35 per hour.
Janitorial Work
If you prefer solitary work, or if you’re someone who likes to move around and doesn’t like to sit or stay stagnant, a janitorial position may be a good fit for you. You don’t have to work with the public, and you will typically have regular hours. Though some janitorial positions are overnight, this is not always the case. You might work in hotels, call centers, or schools. According to salary.com, a janitor makes an average of $30,546.
Educational Offices
Similar to working with medical records, jobs at colleges or universities can be positive because they often have consistent hours. You may work in record-keeping, or you may work at the front desk at a school’s disability office. This is a great job for those who love academic settings, or for those who enjoy work that’s varied but not too intense. Working in elementary, middle, or high schools is also a fantastic option, though work may vary seasonally a bit more. It’s about what works best for you and which environment makes you the happiest. The amount you’ll make per year will vary substantially depending on several factors, such as your location, experience, and the hours you work.
Important Boxes For Jobs To Check
Finding the right job with a mental health condition is sometimes less about the actual field and more about if a specific job checks a couple of boxes. Here are some things you want to look into when picking a job or career:
- The job lets you sleep on a regular schedule (no overnights, no erratic hours)
- The job allows you to have a work-life balance (time to take care of yourself and enjoy your life outside of work)
- The atmosphere with this specific employer is low-stress (there’s not a lot of work drama, turnaround, unhealthy competition, or toxicity)
- The job is a good fit for YOU. Everyone with bipolar disorder is different; some people crave creativity and flexibility, making a creative field like photography or graphic design ideal, but sitting through classes for accounting and going on to work as an accountant is miserable. The very opposite might be true for the next person with bipolar disorder!
You know yourself best. Everyone with bipolar disorder is different; you’ll know what agitates your symptoms and what’s considered high-stress or low-stress for you. Know your worth, and make sure to know your rights as a worker, too. If you aren’t sure what field you want to go into, consider seeing a career counselor, and if you ever need to reach out for help and support, don’t be afraid to talk to a licensed counselor or therapist. According to the National Institute On Mental Health NIMH, bipolar disorder impacts about 2.8% of adults in a given year. If you have bipolar disorder, you aren’t alone, and you can live a full life.
Take The Mind Diagnostics Bipolar Disorder Test
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that’s characterized by periods of depression and mania or hypomania. If you’re reading this, you might wonder, “how do I know if I have bipolar disorder?” If you think that you may be living with this condition, consider taking the Mind Diagnostics bipolar disorder test. Although it is not a replacement for a diagnosis, it might just be the first step to getting the help you need.
Click here to take the Mind Diagnostics bipolar disorder test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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