I think someone I work for has untreated and unmanaged bipolar disorder and perhaps something else. Her moods are all over the place and it's very hard to predict what she'll say or do at any given moment. Even her approach and expectations shift drastically. You can shift your approach to appease her and the next day she'll want something entirely different and claim she never wanted what she asked for in the first place. I initially thought it was just because she was doing too much and overwhelmed- that she never gave anything her full attention and perhaps sometimes just went along with things because she wasn't focused. But, the day before yesterday I put together a project and she specifically told me I'd done something wrong and undid it herself. I have a recording because she taped the meeting. Then yesterday, she wrote me a letter asking why I didn't do it and I had to explain that I did, but that she undid it... which was weird. She ignored me and explained how to do it... which I didn't need because I'd done it the first time... So... I don't know. Whatever she's got going on, it feels very similar to bipolar disorder because she's got the manic depressive states, but I feel like there's something else... BPD doesn't cause people to "forget" what they told someone the day before. Others have accused her of gaslighting because of this, but I think she genuinely believes the things she says.
I spoke with previous employees and the whole team has walked out a couple times all at once because of this behavior. I was warned it would happen but I didn't personally experience for the first nine months I worked with her. The previous employees told me to quit. I don't feel quite ready for that at the moment. I have some faith I can manage this if I help funnel her energy into something productive and keep her stress levels low. Ergo, I was hoping others had experienced this and had ways to cope. If this was a relationship, her stuff would be on the curb. lol But I may be able to work with her if I can figure out the right formula.
I know exactly what it is. And just how devastating it is for the person and the loved ones of the person. Especially if the treatment is not followed.
I have she was a cousin to the Queen of England and she was way crazy but because she had lots of money I pretended she was just eccentric. She used to fire people for the craziest of reasons but her and I got along royally because she figured I was the kind of man that knew the difference between Pixies and fairies - once she had me build a trap so that I could catch the Pixies in the rose garden and move them to another section of her property. Because I did such a good job at catching the Pixies she gave me a wool hat that she said once belonged to Prince Philip. Cheers and happy weekend!
Randy D 