Question about physical and mental form

[Tonyapate]

Okay, I am applying for nursing school in TN. I have came across a problem. The nusrsing application wants to know if I have ever had mental problems. I do not know if I was ever Dx with bipolar. Here is the story... I went to my NP and told him I though I was bipolar and he put me on a medication zyprexa and I went back about a week later and told the nurse practitioner that this med was (making me eat everything) So he put me on lithium. He wanted me to see a counsler and I never did and acually came off the med myself and have been fine. Did or could he dx me with bipolar without seeing the cousler??? When I apply at school and put no for mental ilness is this okay or do they see your medical records??? ( will I have to sign something allowing them to see my medical records?? What should I do??? How can I found out if it is in my medical record?? Thanks so much!

[Cherybaby]

You cannot put "no" on your record if you are bipolar. That is lying to the board and they have a real issue with people being dishonest on your application. You need to put yes and have an explaination ready. You don't have to have seen a counselor for you to have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Your PCP is treating you for it, therefore it is in your medical records. If that was ever called into question, you could lose your license for non disclosure.

Start your nursing career HONESTLY and you will never have to be looking over your shoulder all the time. :)

[pinkiepie_RN]

Let me start by saying that I think (and hope) your doctor had a good reason for wanting to prescribe you Zyprexa and Lithium, mainly the knowledge that you were exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disorder. Now either you told your doc that you were feeling kinda funny or something else to warrant that diagnosis. Either way, you may indeed have bipolar disorder whether you're on medication or not. I suggest you see a counselor and get a diagnosis and on meds if you want. When I applied for NS 2 years ago, I had suspicions that I had bipolar disorder but hadn't seen a psychiatrist so didn't say anything. Psychiatrists I think are the ones that primarily diagnose Axis I disorders but it is possible that your doc did diagnose you with it and it is in your medical records. You could ask your doctor for a copy of your records and go from there. I suggest you be honest and suggest you follow-up on your doc's suggestion. Nursing school is stressful enough without a mental illness. :redbeathe

[caliotter3]

It is far more important that you receive medical evaluation and appropriate medical care for any condition. As a practical matter, it makes little sense to put on your paperwork that you have something, when you are not being treated. There is a possibility that a current evaluation would show otherwise. You might be diagnosed with another condition or with no condition at all. You need to get an accurate picture of your health before you start putting labels on yourself.

[Tonyapate]

But what if it is in my medical record but I am not being treated for it. Will this hurt my chances of getting into nursing school? I am just scared its going to hurt my chances??

[caliotter3]

What did the psychiatrist have to say? Even a fully qualified psychiatrist will not make a diagnosis based on one visit. S/he will evaluate all medical tests and conduct one or more extensive medical history interviews before diagnosing. You have not followed up. Either you are doing well, or not. Either you need treatment, or not. You might need treatment for something else. Don't give yourself problems when you aren't dealing with appropriate info. Get a definitive diagnosis from a psychiatrist. Start getting treatment if you even need treatment. Nursing schools do not look at your medical records. They would make a decision based upon a doctor's statement.

[caliotter3]

My suggestion that you seek medical advice from a doctor is as far as we can go in advising you on this website. According to the terms of service we are not allowed to give medical or legal advice.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Say no. Seriously.

[Cherybaby]

Say no. Seriously.

Just curious...why would you advise them to say no? I have bipolar disorder, disclosed it on my application and there have been no ramifications from it. Not questioning you, of course...I'm sure you have a reason why you say to say no. I'm just curious as to what it is.

[Junebugfairy]

in my experience, as long as you are considered 'stable' you may enter nursing school.

i suffer from a mood disorder as well as severe depression, and it was not a problem as far entering ns is concerned. they just verified that i was stable, through my doctor, and everything is awesome.

[Tonyapate]

What did the psychiatrist have to say? Even a fully qualified psychiatrist will not make a diagnosis based on one visit. S/he will evaluate all medical tests and conduct one or more extensive medical history interviews before diagnosing. You have not followed up. Either you are doing well, or not. Either you need treatment, or not. You might need treatment for something else. Don't give yourself problems when you aren't dealing with appropriate info. Get a definitive diagnosis from a psychiatrist. Start getting treatment if you even need treatment. Nursing schools do not look at your medical records. They would make a decision based upon a doctor's statement.

I never seen a psychiatrist. They wanted me too but never went and seen one.

[Batman24]

I never seen a psychiatrist. They wanted me too but never went and seen one.

You've never been diagnosed as bi-polar. A NP prescribing these drugs doesn't make it a diagnosis. You should get follow up care. Based on what you've shared you could answer no as there was never a formal diagnosis by a qualified entity.