Mental Illness disclosure to the BON

[dorkomatic]

I may be applying for a TX RN license by endorsment and I am not sure how to answer the question regarding mental illness. It asks have have you ever been (last 5 years) diagnosed with, treated for, or hospitalized for schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, bipolar.....ect. I have been seeing a psychiatrist for depression for several years and now there is a question of bipolar disorder. I honestly don't know if I am "officially" diagnosed with bipolar or not. Also, I have never been hospitalized for any mental illness.

So, if I do answer yes to that question what happens next? How does the board handle that? It would seem overkill to put me in some kind of program because I have never been a threat to myself or others and I have never been hospitalized. I also have always been compliant with my medication.

I want to answer no to this question because it really is not a big deal.

[elkpark]

I suggest you discuss the question, and how best to respond to it, with your psychiatrist.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

if your P doc isn't in Texas, he/she may not be able to answer that question. I would try a health care/nurse attorney IN texas .

[elkpark]

The OP states that there has been "a question" of bipolar DO, but s/he doesn't know whether s/he has been officially diagnosed with it. Her psychiatrist would certainly be in a better position to answer that question than an attorney in TX.