Anyone Bipolar???

Nurses Stress 101

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I was wondering if anyone is, or knows of any successful bipolar nurses. I am non-medicated but cope with my symptoms via behavior modification and therapy. I do not want to rely on medication if I don't absolutely have to. Will I be forced to disclose my condition? If so, will I have to be medicated to be employable? I am not a severe case and don't have radical mood swings. Most people are not aware of my condition unless I tell them. This has really been on my mind so I appreciate your help.

Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
I work in psyche and it amazes me how much misunderstanding and stigma is still surrounding bipolar disorder withing our own profession. For some reason there seems to be a HUGE misconception that ALL bipolar patients are crazy and are a danger to others. Even at my worst I was never a danger to others, only to myself. Inwardly it makes me angry, but people will believe what they choose to believe.

Yes, don't you love hearing coworkers make blanket snide remarks about people w/ bipolar or depression or whatever it is, and you realize they are in actuality talking about "you".

The only thing I want to add is that sometimes people ARE a danger to themselves or others and don't realize it. Usually, I do. But this past summer when I was hypomanic I was "controlling it" and realize in hindsight that I could have hurt someone either while working or while driving - I was a bit sped up and my judgment was impaired. I also know that had I had a gun this past fall I might easily have used it on myself, my depression was so bad.

But you're right, you can't say "all". Many are stable and able to function w/o being a danger to themselves or others. But definitely their being permitted to have a gun should be approached with caution and with follow-up (someone stable "today" could be a totally different story a year later)

Just my thoughts on that.

It is ironic to hear your coworkers talk about how a patient with BP, depression, or anxiety as "the crazy one." It bothered me so much in the beginning that nurses thought that way but now I hit my "ignore" button. I'm doing my APN in psych and still working full-time. I've managed to do all of this with BP.

Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
It is ironic to hear your coworkers talk about how a patient with BP, depression, or anxiety as "the crazy one." It bothered me so much in the beginning that nurses thought that way but now I hit my "ignore" button. I'm doing my APN in psych and still working full-time. I've managed to do all of this with BP.

and I'm sure more than one of the staff standing next to them has a dx of that as well...

Just a quick note to all who suffer from Bipolar Disorder, and want to be a nurse. Florence Nightingale our founder of modern nursing was Bipolar. Just because you have a illness, just like diabetes, Bipolar needs to be controled. I understand the fear of somebody thinking your crazy, so my advise is to not divulge information that could in the end hurt you. It is your business, and your business only. If you feel you would like to share, then share it. We too can live a normal life just like everyone else.

I read a article about the percentage of nurses that are Bipolar....huge numbers! So, never feel your the only one.

Good Luck!

Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Just a quick note to all who suffer from Bipolar Disorder, and want to be a nurse. Florence Nightingale our founder of modern nursing was Bipolar. Just because you have a illness, just like diabetes, Bipolar needs to be controled. I understand the fear of somebody thinking your crazy, so my advise is to not divulge information that could in the end hurt you. It is your business, and your business only. If you feel you would like to share, then share it. We too can live a normal life just like everyone else.

I read a article about the percentage of nurses that are Bipolar....huge numbers! So, never feel your the only one.

Good Luck!

Thank you for posting!

Love your user name :)

I am so glad I found this thread. I am an aspiring nursing student and I need advise. I have finished all my prerequisites for nursing school and have an excellent GPA. I just found out that the BON background check is asking about any mental health issues. I am terrified, because I have a dx. of bipolar/depressive. I am taking one medication and have been stable for years. I see my doctor every three months. I also have a very stable work history and have never gotten a bad evaluation from work. I have no criminal background and I don't do drugs.I am so afraid now that I won't even get into nursing school if I have to disclose my dx. I am single parent and I worked so hard to get to this point. I would be so devasted if my dream of becoming a nurse would die because of my dx. Any advice is very much appreciated. Thanks.

Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
I am so glad I found this thread. I am an aspiring nursing student and I need advise. I have finished all my prerequisites for nursing school and have an excellent GPA. I just found out that the BON background check is asking about any mental health issues. I am terrified, because I have a dx. of bipolar/depressive. I am taking one medication and have been stable for years. I see my doctor every three months. I also have a very stable work history and have never gotten a bad evaluation from work. I have no criminal background and I don't do drugs.I am so afraid now that I won't even get into nursing school if I have to disclose my dx. I am single parent and I worked so hard to get to this point. I would be so devasted if my dream of becoming a nurse would die because of my dx. Any advice is very much appreciated. Thanks.

I don't know, it has never stopped me from working, but I guess it is different for every state. :( I hope it doesn't get in the way!! I would contact a disability rights center to find out, or if you get a decision from the BON I'd call the disability rights people. Not sure how to reach them.

Thanks for your response. I am still nervous about it, but I think it will be even worse if I don't disclose and they somehow find out later. I just have to trust that it will be o.k.

Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Thanks for your response. I am still nervous about it, but I think it will be even worse if I don't disclose and they somehow find out later. I just have to trust that it will be o.k.

I hope it all works out for you! please let us know! :D

Reaching for stars is a good name for you - and some stars are way out of reach - but some aren't!

I am bipolar and am having a very hard time at work. I have told no one about my diagnosis but I'm sure they know something is wrong and are making their own "she's crazy" diagnosis. The place where I work is not very understanding of mental health issues. I have not been able to sleep for several days now due to the stress and anxiety. I know that it has caused me to make a lot of mistakes because I can't concentrate, I can't talk, and I feel like I'm running around all the time. Right now, I am really worried that my mistakes will get me fired. It's not anything that would kill someone but just careless mistakes. This makes me even more stressed out because I can't quit, my financial situation right now is not good. I realize my mistakes and will try to be more careful, but I'm always scared now that ANY kind of mistake will get me kicked out. How do you cope?

ARW123,

You have identified your symptoms very well, give your Dr a call so

you can get early control of your sx. Having a good management plan will

help decrease your stress...

thanks jahra. I will do that.

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