It actually depends on how ill you are - some people with bipolar disorder are highly functional - I mean, I've been in nursing for - well, never mind how long, just a long damn time, and the vast majority of the time, being bipolar hasn't prevented me from working. However, I did go through a period of about 5 years where, between the mood swings and the anxiety and the persistent depression, I was unable to work, and I've taken care of patients who've had more disabling and longer lasting symptoms.