My son is 27 years old. He was diagnosed with bipolar six years ago, has been treated with several medications and has been in the hospital three times. He is currently taking Lithium and has come off other drugs that caused him to over sleep each day. Namely, Seroquel. This drug and its side effects is why he may have lost a good job that he had. He is currently unemployed. My son is highly intelligent, an outstanding writer, and very creative, yet the depression is taking a toll. He sees a psychiatrist who, in my opinion, has not addressed the bigger issue of staying on a regular, daily schedule. This seems impossible for my son. It is such a double edged sword, because he has such tremendous potential and a high degree of intelligence, yet he is not able to connect with anyone to find work. Therefore, he has no reason to get up each day until 2 o'clock in the afternoon or later. He does exercise regularly and is in top physical condition. As a mother, I am feeling so much pain and anxiety for him. Obviously, I want him to succeed and know his capabilities, but I also know his vulnerabilities. One boss did not hire him specifically because he knows about his illness. Another one did take a chance on him, knowing how bright he is, yet the job did not work out because of his sleeping issues. It is quite distressing in our country that there is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" issue with letting people know what you are dealing with. The bottom line is, people need to be more educated about bipolar at the workplace and they are not. Think of all the creative, interesting, well educated, decent, law abiding citizens (like my son) who do not have purpose to their day because they are not given the same chances as others who may not even be as talented or desirable to take on a particular position. We must find a way to educate those at the top, the bosses, the ones who hire, that there is a fantastic pool of candidates out there who desperately need a chance. Please, if anyone is reading this, please, think about the positive aspects of hiring someone with bipolar and work with them in a ay that is beneficial to both of you. I pray each and every day that my son will be given the opportunity to pleasantly surprise someone with his abilities and keen mind. Thank you for reading this, and good luck to anyone, like my son, who struggles each day to find his or her place in the world. It is an irony that my son has traveled all over the world, speaks foreign languages with ease, reads constantly and is extremely knowledgeable about the world, yet he can't find a place in the world.
I did not read in your post anything regarding your son's responsibility and/or accountability in his dilema. What I read was; he is, per your words, brilliant and very capable - as well as in top physical condition but because he has Bipolar and taking some meds that caused him to be overly sedated.. he lost a job.
Now, he sleeps nearly all day and does not seem to want to get out there and find a job (the connecting part). He had a lead on one but the employer knew of his illness and didn't hire him... that is discrimination by the way and is illegal. Another, decided to take a chance on him but found out that was wrong to do cause your son could not show up to work.
So, now your 27 year old son has no job, can not find one to match his intellect and capabilities... and sleeps all the time.
Uhm... his responsibility and accountability would be that if the meds are causing too much sedation.. and therefore, causing issues at the job... and therefore, causing the bosses to speak sternly with him... that he speak to the psychiatrist and work out another plan of action.
If he is sleeping till 2pm in the afternoon and not getting up and moving to connect with folks to land another job... it is not the psychiatrist's responsibility to instruct this to him... it's his responsibility to set the alarm clock and get up and move.
It is his responsibility to get a routine and structure going. The psychiatrist can list examples and options perhaps... but he/she can't make or force your son to actually do any of them. You son has to actually "do it".
Depression and/or mania (on the flip side) can cause major dysfunctioning, grant ya on that. Yet, if he is depressed to the point of not getting up, not getting dressed, and/or not tending to hygeine.. then perhaps a trip to the psychiatrist to discuss his furthering and deepening depression might be suggested.