bipolar; please help

Nurses Disabilities

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I am still pursuing my education. I am new to site. Did a search on thread and one exist, but all comments are a couple of years old.

Somebody out there under "bipolar nurses" thread said they went through a lot with this and were willing to help anyone with issues. I'm planning on writing a "care plan" for myself. I think I am very manageable but want to get a handle on dealing with prodromal symptoms. I picked up the book "Bipolar survival guide" as was suggested in the thread "bipolar Nurses".

My disease got me bounced out of one school, and I can deal with that. I am exploring school options and am confident I'll complete my education somewhere. I could use advice and maybe a little encouragement. Hate to be needy, but could somebody out there share if you have issues with bipolar.

P.S. Sorry if I'm not suppose to post under this tab, I wasn't sure if posting under student would get me the help I am looking for. Just hope to start a more recent discussion about nurses with bipolar than the previously mentioned thread. I don't know if it's because I'm under the free membership or possibly because the other thread posts are a few years old, but I am having trouble replying or posting on the old thread.

Thanks, again just basically--if you are bipolar please share your experiences.

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I cannot share my own experiences, but, can share those of my father and my 16 yr old cousin whom I have custody of. The most important thing to for yourself is to get a pyschiatrist that you trust. They are key in Dx and Tx . I would recommend Journeling EVERYDAY, this will allow yourself, and your Dr. the opportunity to pattern your highs and lows. When you can begin to recogonize them, you have more control. I wish you the best on your future Tx and your future career endeavors!

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Hello! It is possible to be a RN with bipolar. I graduated last year from an accredited RN program. It was a struggle but like the previous poster, j464335 has mentioned... I worked with my psychiatrist and therapist closely throughout my journey. The biggest step for me was when I was in my mental health rotation and had to face my illness head on. It was a tough time for me. Can you imagine helping patients with bipolar disorder and myself being bipolar as well??? That was just insane! That experience helped me accept my condition. I suppose I was in denial for many years.

In short, if nursing is what you ultimately want to do and you put enormous amount of effort to do the course work and to manage yourself/moods... it is possible!!!

I passed the boards and I am very proud of my accomplishments!

Next step, is to gradually get work experience, continue to manage myself, and live my life!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the nursing with disabilities forum

OP you may find this thread useful https://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/nurses-struggling-mental-94244-page85.html

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Thanks to those who responded to bouncing. I haven't started "journaling" yet, but can see the value. I am keeping track of sleep patterns, my recent med change has made me much more organized.

The word "psychiatrist" kind of freaks me out. I've gone to psychologist here and there, and years back went to a psychoanalyst for a few months.

I did attend a NAMI meeting about a week ago. Some guy mentioned something he shared with his psychologist and I was amazed at the level of vulnerability that he showed. I guess I never really shared the hard stuff when doing talk therapy in the past. I do know that I need to deal with behavioral stuff along with the drugs, but all in all I keep thinking I'm high functioning.

The jobs I've lost, not nursing jobs, where always just my temper and mouth. There's a part of me that thinks I'm justifying this with the "bipolar" tag, but there's another part that knows something is wrong--most people have more control over their emotions. Though I've never been physically violent, I can see that my intensity at times makes others react to me in a guarded manner.

I guess I'm journaling now, but you don't need to hear all this. I'll definitely take up the practice, and find somebody I can share the hard stuff with.

Thanks again to all.

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I can't say how happy I am (with good meaning that is) to have found this. I'M IN YOUR EXACT SHOES! I'm getting my pre req work done right now. My biggest problem with being bipolar is the depressive episodes...Before realizing what the problem was, I ended up dropping out of college twice :eek: , once during a major depressive episode :crying2: and once during extreme mania :devil: (I'm 23 now and that was when I was fresh out of h.s.). Let me tell you, last semester was my first, and 6 weeks into it I hit another major low and totally freaked -but I bit the bullet and went for traditionally help (I was only on limited meds-I wasn't seeing a behavioral therapist or psychologist). I managed to finish the semester with a 3.7. Again, the same has hit me this semester (and recently) and I can't tell you how I've lost hope in myself in ever becoming a nurse, but my therapist has been SOOO REASSURING :yeah: (and she's a nurse practitioner!). We aren't the only ones, and certainly not the only ones in or going into the medical field. We have vacation days and medical leave for these things. It's a matter of finding out what our special needs are with meds to get ourselves stable. I'm terrified too-this happens about every 2-4 months. I often ask myself how the hell I'm going to get through nursing school and perform my job duties, but you have to stick with it! You can't let the "hiccups" stop you from doing what you want to do in life...take it from someone who has had to learn that the hard way. If there is one thing I have learned, and I pass this one to everyone:

IF YOU WANT SOMETHING BAD ENOUGH, THEN THERE IS NO REASON WHY YOU CAN'T HAVE IT. YOU WILL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY, AND SACRIFICE WHAT YOU MUST. :heartbeat

I know it's hard-I'm living it too. The last thing I can say is finding other people like yourself out there gives me renewed hope. :o I hope I've done the same for you :) GOOD LUCK IN SCHOOL!!

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hey! you're not alone, and there is TONS of HOPE for nurses and student nurses with mental illnesses. I was diagnosed with bp i about 5 months before i started nursing school. i have a genius psychiatrist who got me on meds and relatively stable, and I have been for the past two years. I recently passed the NCLEX-RN, and because I have a BS in Psychology (pre-dx, and before the onset of the bp) I was able to get accepted into a BSN-MSN program.

I am mostly dependent on the medication, I tried therapists but they didnt really do anything for me. The nature of the illness is mostly physiological anyway, unlike depressive episodes which can be situational. So our ups and downs can happen at any time, some have triggers.. I believe that I have triggers--everything is a trigger, so basically it nulls itself out.

Uhm. What I'm trying to say is that individuals who want to pursue a nursing career (or any other career) should not be discouraged. We're covered by the ADA which is wonderful to think about (sick leave!), and if I cycle and it affects me enough, we can be relocated to a position that best fits us for that amount of time (just like a nurse with a sprained ankle). I have to think of bipolar disorder this way, because a lot of people think that mental illness is just a lack of coping skills, when its not.

Get support (family, friends, groups). Use the sxs to your advantage (mild hypomania=efficiency, and a lot of work done!).

and just live... :)

sending out lots of love,

fireline, rn

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I am a nurse with bipolar disorder AND adhd. So I have to take meds that increase the risk of mania. I cannot emphasize ENOUGH the absolute need for a psychiatrist to help you regulate your moods. I noted that you said you weren't all that enthused about seeing a psychiatrist. True bipolars need meds...it's a physiological disease and requires a PHYSICIAN to treat. That being said, not all psychiatrists are created equally. I went through three over several years and finally have it under control. I miss the highs of mania...but do NOT miss the mess I make of my life everytime the lows come around and I have to endure the depression while I pick up the pieces of the mania.

You can be bipolar and nurse. You have an illness that makes you more sensitive to others with the same plight, and there are lots of us.

Hang in there and do not let this illness define you as a person or as a nurse.

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True bipolars need meds...it's a physiological disease and requires a PHYSICIAN to treat. That being said, not all psychiatrists are created equally. I went through three over several years and finally have it under control. I miss the highs of mania...but do NOT miss the mess I make of my life everytime the lows come around and I have to endure the depression while I pick up the pieces of the mania.

You can be bipolar and nurse. You have an illness that makes you more sensitive to others with the same plight, and there are lots of us.

Hang in there and do not let this illness define you as a person or as a nurse.

Bouncing, best wishes in getting a treatment team that includes a psychiatrist/team that you trust

and have confidence in. Laughingnurse1 gives you excellent guidance. She is speaking from her experience.

I have experience being on a treatment team as an RN. Taking your medications consistently, reporting side effects or concerns to your team,

keeping all of your appointments consistently will help keep your symptoms in check.

Additionally, often friends and family can see the changes, so listen to the people you trust to help you respond as early as possible if things are starting to move from a center of wellness to the spectrum of mania or depression.

Keep your journal. As with many other disorders, you need to learn what the disorder is for you, and what immediate steps you need to take to get in control as needed.

Good luck with your plans to finish nursing school, take one step at a time and soon you will reach any goals you set.

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I am bipolar, I am stuck in limbo between SN and GN. I graduated in May but in Texas you have to have a letter from your psychiatrist/doc writing your meds sent to the BON. I have been seeing the same psychiatrist for the last 5 years. I asked him for said letter 10 weeks ago. I still have no letter. I can't even be considered a GN until everything is turned in. Can't get a job, can't take NCLEX, can't move on with my life!!

Tomorrow I'm making an appointment with a new psychiatrist. The one I have is holding up my life. I can't work and my family keeps asking where the letter is.

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Lostlonestar, Have you asked your psychiatrist of 5 years why he has not provided this letter? You might need to be very very persistant with this and also call the BON to find out exactly what needs to be done and when.

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Fireline,

Hi, new to the site and supposed to be starting Nursing school in Jan. 2012. I've been recently diagnosed with BP I in February of 2011.

I'm completely terrified especially bc of the many negative things i read on this site, the harsh truths and the fact that I'm not sure how I would push through my depressive episodes. The last bought that got me my diagnoses I'm still healing from and very volnurable.

I've been told nursing school is super hard, the course work is overwheliming and stressful, and the teachers are tough and not compassionate. How does anyone with BP get through it???? I don't like mind games and I'm not motivated by negativity.

Do you have any suggestions that will help ease my mind about going to school? Maybe suggest things that will make it easier for me to get through???

THanks

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