The 10 Best Jobs For People With Bipolar Disorder

While having bipolar disorder is challenging, to say the least, it doesn’t mean you can’t succeed in your professional life.

Everyone is different and enjoys different types of work and working environments, but there are a few aspects of jobs that tend to best set up individuals with bipolar disorder for success.

In this article, you’ll learn what these aspects are and find examples of jobs that could be a good fit for you as you work to manage your bipolar disorder symptoms.

10 of the Best Jobs for Someone With Bipolar Disorder

Graphic Designer

Average Annual Salary: $45,000

If you have an artistic bent, a career as a graphic designer might be a good fit for you. You’ll likely need an undergraduate degree in graphic design, but once you have that, there are a plethora of opportunities available to you.

Some graphic design positions do come with tight deadlines, difficult customers, and competitive coworkers, but many do not.

Schools, small businesses, and web developers all need graphic designers to simply keep their websites and publications looking good, and usually, these types of jobs come with consistent schedules and low pressure.

In addition, remote contract work abounds in this field, allowing you to work from home and set your own schedule if you so choose. All of these options make graphic design an excellent choice for someone with bipolar disorder.

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Web Developer

Average Annual Salary: $72,000

Companies of all shapes and sizes need websites built and updated, keeping web developers in high demand. This work can often be done remotely, making it a great option for someone with bipolar disorder who would do better working in the quiet of their own home.

In addition, many tech companies that hire web developers often offer flexible schedules and encourage a good work-life balance, but many web developers work as remote freelancers as well. Having all these options at your fingertips would provide you with the flexibility and consistent schedule you need to thrive.

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Librarian

Average Annual Salary: $50,000

As a librarian, you’d get to work in a peaceful library helping patrons find resources and information, organizing and collecting books and other materials, and maintaining records. For someone with bipolar disorder, this could be the ideal low-stress job.

Librarians work at schools, public libraries, and even museums, all of which are only open during normal working hours, so you’d have a consistent schedule that would also allow you to have time at home to wind down.

In addition, you’d get to work in proximity to other people but not necessarily have to interact with them all day, which many people with bipolar disorder find to be a desirable combination.

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Copywriter

Average Annual Salary: $50,000

Blogs, websites, and publications all need writers to create content for them. Many of these positions are remote, and others are designed for freelancers, allowing writers to complete projects whenever they want to throughout the week.

This can be an excellent job for someone with bipolar disorder, as you can take your work with you anywhere you go, take breaks from it as needed, and work whatever hours you want.

You will have deadlines to meet, but typically these are consistent weekly or monthly quotas rather than stressful, ever-changing deadlines. In addition, if you work as a freelancer, you can also often adjust your workload throughout the year as needed.

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Medical Records Technician

Average Annual Salary: $38,000

Hospitals and other medical facilities need workers to input data and create records and reports for insurance companies. Some of these roles are remote, and almost all of them provide steady schedules and low-stress work.

Yes, hospitals are often chaotic, but your job will generally take place in an office and require minimal interaction with other people. You’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping people by allowing the hospital or medical facility to run smoothly.

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Warehouse Worker

Average Annual Salary: $28,000

Whether you’re packaging orders, keeping records, or managing and scheduling shipments, working in a warehouse can be mentally stimulating and physically tiring, which many people say helps them manage their bipolar disorder.

While warehouses aren’t necessarily the quietest environments, they are designed to run like clockwork, which means your job will likely be relatively consistent from day to day. Plus, even though you won’t generally be working alone in an office, you won’t have to deal with any difficult customers and will be able to focus on your own work.

Warehouses also often hire employees for seasonal work, allowing you to try it out for a time without a long-term commitment.

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Landscaper

Average Annual Salary: $26,000

Being outside can do wonders for managing stress and boosting mental and emotional health. Working as a landscaper allows you to spend most, if not all of your days outside, and it will tire out your body, which many people with bipolar disorder say helps them manage their symptoms and steady their thoughts and emotions.

Landscapers do everything from designing and installing outdoor living areas to planting and maintaining flowers, shrubs, and trees. As a result, there are often a variety of landscaping jobs available for different skill and experience levels.

A landscaper’s work often changes with the seasons, which means there are also usually a number of seasonal and part-time opportunities in this field. This can be valuable if you aren’t sure you want to fully commit to working full-time just yet.

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Alterations Tailor

Average Annual Salary: $29,000

If you have strong sewing skills, you can put them to work as a tailor. Not only do people need clothes adjusted and fixed, but they also need custom curtain and upholstery projects completed.

There are opportunities to work for companies as a tailor, but you can also work as a freelancer. This will not only allow you to work from home, but it also lets you set your own schedule, something that is very valuable for many people with bipolar disorder.

Working as a tailor also gives you a creative outlet, which can improve mental health and emotional balance.

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Delivery Driver

Average Annual Salary: $37,000

Driving delivery trucks is one of the few jobs that allow you to work entirely alone outside of your own home.

This position can be a great choice for people with bipolar disorder since it provides a consistent schedule, a relatively peaceful environment, and a steady workload.

In addition, many companies hire part-time and seasonal drivers, which would give you the flexibility you need to take care of yourself.

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Accountant

Average Annual Salary: $52,000

Not all accounting jobs are created equal, and many are incredibly stressful. Others, however, can provide the methodical, independent workload that you’re looking for.

You’ll need to get a degree to be an accountant, but once you have it, a wide variety of job opportunities will open up. You can keep track of finances for a small business, work as an auditor, or even work in a large corporation.

This occupation can bring busy seasons, but for the most part, it’s steady work in a quiet environment, which can be an excellent fit for those with bipolar disorder.

In addition, since almost all companies need accountants, you will likely be able to find a position with a good paid time off policy and the ability to work remotely, at least for some of the time.

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What to Look for in a Job if You Have Bipolar Disorder

A Steady Schedule

Often people with bipolar disorder find that keeping a steady routine that allows them to regularly get a good night’s sleep and comes with minimal surprises is best for helping them manage their mental health.

This applies to their jobs as well, as having to adjust to fluctuating schedules, meet strict deadlines, work odd hours, stay up especially late, or wake up unusually early can easily disrupt emotional balance and cause symptoms to surface.

If you have bipolar disorder, it may be a good idea to find a job that has a consistent workload and schedule that would allow you to get into a rhythm rather than constantly throwing you off-kilter.
Flexibility

If you have bipolar disorder and are looking for a job, it’s a good idea to look for a position that will provide you with some amount of flexibility.

This may look like having the option to work remotely, regular time off to go to doctor’s and therapy appointments, an understanding boss who is willing to work with you when you need some time away from the office, or a combination of all of these.

As you search for a job, keep an eye out for companies that offer a good work-life balance, generous benefits and time off, and flexible work arrangements. Often these organizations will be all too happy to brag about their offerings, but you can also find this information on online employee forums.
Positive Environment

Even if you have the most fulfilling job with the most flexible schedule and benefits, it won’t be any good if you can’t stand your coworkers or if you have to work in a noisy, chaotic environment that constantly raises your stress levels.

Instead, if you have bipolar disorder, you should consider only accepting a job that offers a peaceful work environment and supportive coworkers.

You likely won’t be able to discover if a position offers this until you go in for an interview, but when you do, pay close attention to the environment and ask lots of questions about the company’s culture.

Sometimes simply having an office door that you can close can make all the difference in the world in allowing you to keep your stress levels and emotions balanced.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Abby McCain

Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.

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