Nurses with bipolar disorder?

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

I am a nursing student and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a few years ago. I have had a really hard time coping with this disorder, but with maturity and experience, I have grown to accept it and am getting better. I had initially wanted to go to medical school, but like nursing for its flexibility and great benefits. I would really like to help other people who have psychiatric illnesses. I feel like I have learned a great deal through my experiences and would be a good psychiatric nurse.

What do you think about someone with my diagnosis being a psychiatric nurse? I have definitely had my struggles but have also been determined to get and stay well. I have published several articles and a book I just wrote for students w/ psychiatric illnesses is at the printer right now. I really want to help others. I am so afraid that the nursing boards will deny me an RN license because I have a history of hospitalization for my illness. Do any of you have thoughts on this? I want to be the best nurse I can be for my patients and am hoping to eventually get an NP in psych.

Thank you so much in advance for reading this.

Specializes in Psychiatry and addictions.

Yes, you can do it.... I rarely tell anyone about my bipolar... it's been controlled for years on lithium. I live in Mass, and did not have to disclose. My CNS is very encouraging about me going for my own CNS.... I understand more about med non compliance and side effects than most. I obviously never have told a pt, but I have been able to convince many ppl that their life is not over b/c of this diagnosis... it may be just starting! If you haven't already I highly recommend that you read "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Redfield Jamison.

I also point out to ppl when they make uneducated comments that most ppl w/ a mental illness just shut up and take their meds, that's why you never hear anything good about mental illness. Those of us that function normally are too scared to speak up!

I think it's great that you want to get into a profession in which you are helping people who have similar issues as yourself. Who better to take care of the mentally ill than someone who has personal experience themselves? The board of nursing can't deny you an RN license because of a disability, because that is discrimination. It is also confidential that you have a disorder and do not need to disclose this information to anyone, unless you felt like doing so. You say you know how to manage your illness and if you feel that you can handle the stress of the job and are able to take care of yourself, then go for your dreams. I know it's hard to build up the confidence when one has some form of disability. But, more and more people are being diagnosed bipolar and it's not something to be ashamed of. Just take care of yourself, know your warning signs, use your coping skills and stress management. Best wishes.............

:balloons:

Well, Well, Well----

A Board after my own heart!!!!

Interestingly enough I found this thread because last week I gave a doctor's note to my learning center director which said I need more time to finish my tests because of a side effect that could be causing a memory problem which takes me more time to focus and recall info. I am also 35 so who knows that could be a factor too! I am and not ashamed to be one. I am not afraid to approach anyone and start educating them on what a can do with their lives. In fact I think I am a force to be reckoned with. A dynamic personality that took the time to develop my mental, emotional, spiritual and physical intelligences in order to balance out the effects of bipolar. I also do not victimize myself or look for acceptance outside of myself. I BELIEVE in my ablities and capabilities and I understand how to turn my weaknesses into strengths. I take responsibility for my behavior and my treatments and I help people who sincerely want it. I have been through the toughest of times and have prevailed with myself intact. Challenges I come across are nothing compared to pulling yourself from the depths of depression. I am motivated by my illness and it drives me to disclose all the wonderful pain staking lessons I have learned that will undoubtedly help someone in their own development. I have learned that the longer I continue to keep my mouth shut about my triumph and struggles over that I will be doing someone their own self harm and if I have to sacrifice a little privacy to help someone see that they are not just an illness from a textbook then I guess that it what I will have to do. I have no fear. Fear has already come and gone.....I hope I will see the day when society can come to terms with and people with mental illness can come to terms with society. We each have to grow in the same direction to bring this to socially acceptable terms. That is my dream! For those of you reading - Help me make it a reality! Stop and push beyond the limits of others.....Make yourself known-there are 2million of us!You actually learn the most outside your comfort zone....

Senior BSN Student - May 06-Oncology bound, MSN, AOCN:uhoh3: That's enough for me- Don't need to continue focusing on that, Not always a good thing, but I will always continue to help from a distance. Funny thing is when you have finally made peace with your illness, you are so much more in tune with other people'problems. You don't have to be in patient on your floor. As far as I am concerned - everyone has a psychological problem the minute they step into the hospital. I.E Afraid of the unknown, surgery,Death, unknown place, family stressors, image problems, faith in doctors and nurses,etc., etc. Nurses who have had understand how to deal with all of these issues and they deal with them succinctly, courageously and gracefully. I'm glad I have had a heads up on all of this-Makes a great Nurse!

I am not a nurse nor yet in nursing school but I did apply recently and I wanted to say this thread has made me feel a lot better. I have suffered from panic attacks my whole life and have been wondering if this will prevent me from pursuing a career I am really excited about. It just helps to know there are other people who there who have been in similar situations.

Specializes in Psychiatry and addictions.

hbncns35- I wish I was as brave as you! :yelclap:

Cheryl- I had terrible panic attacks in my junior year of nsg school... They got better when I told my clinical instructor. She told me that I could leave (even in the middle of a sterile procedure) if I felt one coming on. Once I felt like I had some control over the situation I had very few attacks, and the ones I had were relatively minor. I also tried biofeedback, and still use the techniques I learned over 8 yrs ago to nip them in the bud when one does start. I have klonopin to take in emergencies, but rarely need it... I just do my biofeedback (yoga) breathing.

Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

One of my best friends in school is bipolar. She's been a tech on a psych floor for a number of years. Great personality!

Even though she had a few academic probs last year (none illness related), this term she's doing great... because we did our mental health rotation and this is the area she's planning to work in when we graduate in June.

I.m a new student and first thing i thought was am i going to be able to handle school and this career with bipolar rapid cycling I'm so glad to hear from all of you thank you so much

I didn't have to deal with bipolar disorder (until we adopted a son with it), but I WAS hospitalized for severe depression many years ago. That inpatient stay was the beginning of the healing necessary for me to go to nursing school. Six months after graduation, I ended up back at that same hospital--this time as a nurse instead of a patient.

During the years I worked there, I would selectively share my background with patients who needed to hear that they still had a future. Seeing hope take root in them gave me great pleasure and was an ongoing reward for all I had endured to get to that point.

Who would have better empathy than someone who has been where your patient is now and has survived to tell the story.

Be unashamed of your needs. Be proud of your courage.

+ Add a Comment