Can NCLEX decline your application because of Bipolar disorder

[HakunaMatata<3]

Hello everyone! :)

I will be graduating nursing school this December and have been looking at the Ohio NCLEX application.

One of the questions asks if you have ever been dx with bipolar within the last 5 years.

I was diagnosed at age 15 (I'm 22 now) and saw many different psychiatrists on and off until age 16. When I was 16 I start using pills and opiates and then heroin for about 3 months until I told my parents and asked for them to get me help. I started at a suboxone clinic and completed treatment after 6 months (and have been clean since). I also started seeing an adolescent psychiatrist who I saw until I was 18.

I stopped seeing him because I did not agree with the treatment and drugs he wanted so after one appointment I did not schedule a new appointment.

I then started seeing another psychiatrist whois amazing and I have since been seeing him regularly, taking my medicine as prescribed, and remained stable.

SO...for the NCLEX application I have to am "required to provide a written explanation, including date(s) of diagnosis or treatment,and a description of your present condition. Include the name, current mailing address, and telephone number of each person whotreated you, as well as each facility where you received treatment, and the reason for treatment. Have each treating physician submit aletter detailing the dates of treatment, diagnosis and prognosis"

So, what I am worried about is my earlier psychiatrist submitting a not so wonderful letter about me, even though my new psychiatrist who've been seeing for 4 years says he will be happy to write a very positive letter.

My ultimate point is...

Can the NCLEX people decline my application because of the stupid mistakes I made when I was a kid and the opinions of an old psychiatrist's letter.

I know not all states require this on their NCLEX application so should I just apply and take the NCLEX in a different nearby state?

I GREATLY appreciate any replies.

Thank you!

[marvelmom]

I was on two meds. I tried lexapro, celexa, and Paxil but the side effects out weighed the benefits. Paxil actually made me crazy. I was hallucinating and delusional.

I honestly was almost turned down from my current job r/t extremely high blood pressure from the meds. I convinced my doc to just let me try lamictal alone. I still have mild hypo manic episodes but the lamictal prevents full blown mania. I work nights so the extra energy is kinda awesome.

When it comes to disclosing it to my boss I am fortunate but I believe it's mostly because I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone. Our population is around 1300. (One stop light type of small) If I was in a city I most definitely wouldn't have mentioned it to my boss.

Pretty much everyone I know knows I have it. I'm fairly vocal about it so that I can try and remove the stigma of "crazy" from the label.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I'm pretty vocal here about my illness, and everyone who knows me knows I have it. I've also written a number of articles here about my experiences with BP and nursing. It's out there in the working world where being "out of the closet" has not served me well, and now that I'm not working I'm starting to feel a lot freer to speak up.