| If you've had a long-term mental illness, such as bipolar | | | | If you find yourself beginning to work unstoppably 12-16 |
| disorder, it's possible that your confidence in your ability | | | | hours a day, it's time to force yourself to stop. Check |
| to start and manage a business of your own has | | | | in with your advisor to let them know you have to |
| been eroded over time. In the past you may often | | | | take a break, and do whatever you need to do to |
| have found yourself like a square peg trying to fit into | | | | take care of your elevating mood, such as calling your |
| a round hole - both in business pursuits, and in traditional | | | | psychiatrist and/or therapist. |
| employment. | | | | Have realistic expectations and set small goals. This |
| If not approached correctly, starting a business can be | | | | will prevent you from setting yourself up for |
| dangerous for a person with bipolar disorder, adding | | | | disappointment, failure and depression. Don't start with |
| fuel to the fires of both mania and depression. People | | | | dreams of becoming an overnight millionaire - simply |
| with bipolar disorder can be subject to manic delusions | | | | begin with small steps. Be sure to find a good |
| of grandeur, pursuing unrealistic business ideas, along | | | | accountant - many small businesses may start out by |
| with having grandiose and unrealistic expectations of | | | | making only a hundred or a few hundred dollars a |
| themselves. After the period of mania wears off, the | | | | month. By maximizing your tax write-offs, you can |
| depressive mindset will likely set in, and with it, a | | | | make up for this. |
| realistic view of the unrealistic business they had been | | | | A good type of business for someone with bipolar |
| so excited about. They may feel foolish, and like a | | | | disorder is a small home business. A home business is |
| failure, and they may have also hurt and let down | | | | something you can start small and build up slowly, you |
| many people who believed in them. | | | | won't need a lot of money to get started. You can set |
| This cycle of feelings of grandiosity followed by | | | | your own hours and limits, taking on only as much as |
| feelings of failure is harmful to the health and stability | | | | you are capable of without over-stressing yourself. |
| of the person with bipolar disorder, and may cause | | | | With a home business, you have the flexibility you |
| them to give up on themselves altogether. After many | | | | need in coping with this disorder. You'll still be able to |
| such let-downs and disappointments, many people with | | | | find the time for all the various tasks you already have |
| bipolar disorder who have great potential end up on | | | | throughout the week such as doctor's appointments, |
| disability, or otherwise dependent on others for their | | | | support groups, exercise, therapy, filling prescriptions, |
| survival. | | | | and so on. |
| If you have bipolar disorder, starting your own business | | | | There are an incredible number of benefits for a |
| can be one of the best things you can do for yourself | | | | person with bipolar disorder starting a home business. |
| and your health as long as you approach it in the right | | | | You will find something that uses your talents and skills, |
| way. It's important for you to gain perspective and | | | | and your confidence will increase dramatically. Having |
| understanding in order to tame the possibility of poor | | | | a regular responsibility that you enjoy will help you to |
| judgment based on manic impulses. You may gain this | | | | be more healthy and stable. Your business will keep |
| insight from recognition of your past patterns and | | | | your mind active, and if you've been on disability it's |
| mistakes in business, or if you're lucky enough not to | | | | likely you'll appreciate having something to do. |
| have made any, from awareness of the potential | | | | As your income increases and you take advantage of |
| pitfalls of both mania and depression in your business. | | | | your tax deductions, you can get better insurance, |
| Ideally you can find a trusted friend and advisor to help | | | | more easily pay for your medication, and enjoy your |
| support you with your goals of successful | | | | increasing quality of life overall. As you take control of |
| self-employment. This person should be a logical, | | | | your income, you can begin to be relieved of the major |
| grounded and rational critical thinker who has an | | | | stressor of poverty and financial need. Your |
| understanding of bipolar disorder. He or she can be the | | | | self-esteem will rise as you become more independent |
| sounding board for your plans, and you will need to rely | | | | and less dependent. You'll be able to start paying off |
| on this person to help you by telling you when your | | | | your debts. And, being self-employed, you have |
| ideas or judgment is poor. Your advisor can also help | | | | created your own job security. |
| motivate you when your mood is depressed. | | | | There are a great many more benefits to having your |
| You're going to need to train your mind to approach | | | | own home business if you have a mental illness. |
| your business in the right way, rather than in the | | | | Finding a home business that fits and approaching it in |
| incredible excitement, creativity and grandiosity that | | | | the right way is one of the best things a person with |
| may have fueled your past endeavors. Be realistic, and | | | | bipolar disorder can do for their financial, mental and |
| know your weaknesses. You want to keep your | | | | emotional health. |
| stress levels down, so be careful not to do too much. | | | | |