Need to know please help Bipolar and in school

CherryAmes_RN · Feb 17, 2010

you cannot be denied a schooling, a license, or a job for a diagnosis. theres not a list. tips: stay on your meds & see your doc as needed... take care of yourself- sleep, eat healthfully, find something positive to help you decompress. as far as drug testing, as long as you have a current script you should be fine (i dont know if lamictal would show up, but its not something schools/emmployers would be concerned about)

CABRN55 · Feb 19, 2010

JT: This I know about because I've talked at great length with the attorney with the state's board of nursing in my home state and this is what he (the attorney) says Federal Law states plainly concerning your very situation. The American's with Disabilities Act says that a school or potential employer may not inquire about any illness or chronic disorder you might have or they might suspect you to have, but you must disclose it IF: the employer will have to make significant modification to the job description or the physical surroundings or environment for you to provide the services needed OR YOUR CONDITION is such that it will severely cut into the time you will be able to provide such services. Now all that really means is: can you do the job and will you be reliable? Is your handicap/illness such that there will such physical modifications needed that it will put undo hardship on a potential employer that it is just too much to expect an employer to reasonably accomodate given the job? In your case, most likely the answer is no to each question. If you can finish nursing school and pass your boards, stay on your meds and continue seeing your doctor, then you should reasonably be able to work successfully without any problem.

The problem here is how much do you reveal in your interview for a job? My answer is as little as possible. In most interviews, it is a game of cat and mouse. Each side is looking to find out what each sides' strengths are but mainly what their weakness are especially in the first interview. This isn't the best time to give away anything but your best side. However, it is the perfect time to ask for and insist on a full job description of the job you are applying for. Most reputable employers have a written description of the job that you are applying for. Get one or two if possible and make a copy for your doctor. Have him read it and write a letter for your files, documenting that he believes you are competent to work for this position with his name and date on it. File this with the job description with his initials and have him date it. Keep it as long as you are employed. And I do mean as long as you are employed after you have been diagnosed. Also keep documentation of your ongoing treatment for your disease. Dr appointments, medications taken, when dosages are changed, etc. You don't have to be specific as to what is going on personally, just that you are consistently being treated by your physician from now on. Periodically, like once a year, have him review your work situation and give you the okay to continue, about the same time as your yearly review is usely a good time and you can put that with your annual work review.

As far as your meds. Most employers, they usually use an outside company to do their drug screens. It saves them from having to defend themselves from lawsuits by persons who are disqualified and yell foul. That way the employer can say that they had no way to know what it would be. And they don't. Someone from the company calls you and asks you what you take. You answer truthfully as to who your doctor is and his address and phone number and occasionally they will ask you why, but not often. Sometimes they will ask you where you have it filled. Again you give them the correct information there too. That is it. If it all matches you are home free. You have no idea how many people out there are taking antidepressants, diazepines and the like....pain meds, you name it, JT. This country is so pill crazy it is unbelievable! And the world wants to pick on us!!!! Because we admit we have a problem? That's what is so crazy, it isn't us! So calm down and just take care of yourself and come back here anytime, we are here for you anytime, OK? This site has been a blessing for me, I have been a nurse for 34+ years and felt so alone until I found the wonderful sister & brother nurses here I could come to for love and support after going through this journey alone for 40 years alone. You aren't alone anymore. We are all here for you. We will stand with you and we know you can do it!

jt2007 · Mar 28, 2010

Thank you for the information.

I was devestated when I finally got a diagnoses because I thought of every problem possible with going through nursing school and finding a job. It has already been a huge burden to my 16yr marriage and children. I am going through a divorce now.

I cant imagine going through nursing without support from others who have been through the same.

This is definately a blessing for me.

I figure if I can get through this diagnoses, nursing school, and divorce then I can get through most anything else.

Thank you again for your offer of support and encouragment.

:redpinkhe

mustlovepoodles, RN · Mar 28, 2010

I understand. I was diagnosed with bipolar2 last year and as devastated as I was, it was a bit of a relief to *finally* get the RIGHT diagnosis. I had been depressed for almost 37 YEARS, with daily thoughts of suicide. That's no kind of life! It has been very hard on my family, but I was very fortunate that DH was supportive and understanding. My whole life has turned around since I got the proper medication, therapy, and support groups in place.

I agree with the other poster who said, think twice about how much you want to reveal. If it is not necessary to divulge, then don't. Since I have gotten stable I really don't need any accomodations. If something happens and I destablize, well, I'll deal with that when/if the time comes. It's not like I'm going to go crazy and start shooting up the place. My depression isn't like that. I just get more and more withdrawn, anxious and irritable. Usually a quick trip to the psychiatrist fixes me up in a few days. I haven't had to take off work with it since I first broke down a year ago.

And as for the meds, I take Lamictal also, plus Remeron and Seroquel and none of these drugs showed on my drug test last month. :) I wouldn't worry about it. And even if it did show up, as long as you can produce a legitimate prescription it won't be a problem. But i doubt it will even come up.

Best of life to you. You're doing lots of things right and it's all going to pay off soon.

annmarie899 · May 14, 2010

Hi ladies,

one thing about being bipolar is the awful anxiety that can just eat you alive. . it's the worst thing. My life is so much better since I've started topamax and ativan. ahh. I can think straight, no more racing thoughts. My husband still drives me nuts, but I have an extra ativan to take when he does.

I've been a nurse for over 25 years, and dealt with the depression and anxiety, and never know anything was wrong until 3 years ago when my son took his life. We now know he was bipolar I. He was always anxious, never really slept well, and always moved from one thing to another. The guilt I felt, and still do, that as a nurse and NP - that I did not know and never picked up the signs has been devastating.

but one thing I now know is that since I have been sharing some of my story, I have been meeting many nurses who are also bipolar, and also many physicians as well.

We are not alone!

I think it is great that there is support on this site for each other. . .

annmarie