Be honest about your work gap. That causes less problems in the long run.

I agree with tommy.

It's scary to put it down on paper, but the truth is always best

I read an article lastnight and since I have a tremendous fear of entering the workforce again......this article I read said to try volunteering to help get back in the swing on things.

I'm not going to volunteer my days as a nurse at the clinic just yet because that scares the hell out of me. But I will be calling the Woman's Shelter, and some local places too that are nearby me to see if I can help out a couple days a week!!!

Volunteering first is a great idea tats!!... Good for you!

I would tell them that you were a stay at home mom and worked from home during that time
Your medical history is none of their business and I think bringing up illness when applying for a job might hurt you
Not because it's a mental illness but because they may well see you as someone that'll be needing sick time

You Go Girl!!!... Good for you....xo

Oh, definitely tell them you have your own business!! Your stuff is so great!!!
Give them the link to your biz!!! (Natural curiosity will probably be enough to make them look at it -- never mind doing it to see if you're telling the truth!!! And it's such an impressive 'store'!!)

Chances are good they'll assume that's what you've been doing all along!!!

Tell them you chose to caretake someone during that time period.

They don't have to know that it was YOU who you were caretaking!!

I wouldn't inform potential employers that I have Bipolar Disorder.

Never mind the 'stigma' we often discuss on here.

Just looking at it from an employer's dispassionate perspective, think about it:

You've got 10 applications in front of you.
Usually, the first step is to weed out the least desirable ones.

I don't care HOW knowledgeable and accepting one is of Bipolar Disorder.

A potential employer will probably look at it with a practical eye and think, 'Might need more time off than the average employee. Might not be able to be consistently productive. Might require special accommodations'.

All 'good points' being equal, if it looks like another applicant might be less of a hassle as an employee, who do you think will be picked?

Good luck!!!! I hope your volunteering goes well!!!
And anything after that, that you go for!!!!

(((((Hugs)))))

Well thank you all for the great advice.....I might have a "job" sitting wit an eldery woman on the weekends but won't know something for a good while because she is going in for surgery and well things are up in the air.

The medical clinic is looking for volunteers and I have to go tomorrow to pick up an application!! I will just let them know that I don't want to do any nursing right away....not until I get used to the place, that is if they want me!

I chose not to mention the BP, will tell them I have been working from home on my own small business which is the total truth, so no coverups there which makes me feel much better about the entire thing.

I really appreciate the great help that you all have offered me and the support! I will keep you posted as to what pans out here :-)

Hug and love to everyone!!

When I had an 8 year gap in employment due to being ondisability I told them I decided to take a break and raise my children and now I was ready to slowly get back to work. It worked out for the best and I hav really done well and no one at my job knows anything about my mental illness. I like it better that way personally. I have had to go inpatient last year and just told them I was sick and took two weeks leave and my pdoc gave me a work excuse. I went right back to work and they didn't seem to think much of it since I had an excuse from an MD. Hope you figure it out and enjoy getting your feet back in the door. I am a paramedic and the county operations supervisor now and I truly feel better helping others. Maybe you will find this to help you as well. wishing you the best!!