Bipolar

[gibbons482]

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Do you think it's possible for someone with well-controlled by medication bipolar to get through medical school and residency? Will I have licensing trouble if I'm being treated for it?

 

[teenmachinery1]

I dunno, but I kind of have a hard time thinking that someone with bipolar disorder could and should go through med school. Treated or not.

This sounds pretty intolerant and ignorant, i'm sure, but it's just my opinion.

I suppose everyone can berate me on my submission and perhaps enlighten me? I'm sincerely open to opinion. thx.

👍

 

[Perrotfish]

No to the second question, you won't have any problems. No idea about the first. How controled is "well controlled"?

 

[chman]

Yes and No. I think the key word in your post is "controlled." Only you can tell if your medication and treatment works well enough. As you know, some people suffer worse than others.

Now, statistically there are probably many MD's who have mental illness. I say this because at last count I believe over forty-million people have some form of depression, so it just makes sense. But like I said, only you can determine if your condition will not affect your work or put anyone in danger.

Good Luck

EDIT: If you have had your condition under control for a number of years I am sure you will not have trouble getting a license.

 

[chman]

I dunno, but I kind of have a hard time thinking that someone with bipolar disorder could and should go through med school. Treated or not.

This sounds pretty intolerant and ignorant, i'm sure, but it's just my opinion.

I suppose everyone can berate me on my submission and perhaps enlighten me? I'm sincerely open to opinion. thx.

👍

There are different levels of bipolar disorder. Your right that some are unfit to practice. But some can be treated fairly easily. These people should pose no danger.

 

[boaz]

Do you think it's possible for someone with well-controlled by medication bipolar to get through medical school and residency? Will I have licensing trouble if I'm being treated for it?

I believe I've seen a thread here on a similar subject. You should do a search and see if it comes up.

At the end of the day I think your most important advice can come from your psychiatrist, who knows your specifics.

 

[StairLift]

This is one of those things that will vary from case to case, so imean how extreme or mild is it?

 

[ILikeDrugs]

How does it currently affect your life? Have you been fired from your job due to your disorder? Have you lost friends and family relationships that were caused by the disorder? Can you form relationships when you want to? I'm also going to assume that you have a psychiatrist. You should ask for her/his opinion on how well does she/he think that someone with your level/degree of bipolar disorder can go through the rigors of medical school and become a competent physician.

 

[smarttee88]

I say YOU can do whatever YOU want. Its all about self control. Yes Bipolar Disorder is a mental disorder, but you cannot let it control you or dictate what you can and cannot do throughout your life.

 

[devilpup]

Do you think it's possible for someone with well-controlled by medication bipolar to get through medical school and residency? Will I have licensing trouble if I'm being treated for it?

OP,

read this blog, http://bipolarinmedschool.blogspot.com/ I think you can gain better insight by reading the story of this med student who has managed to do well.


The answer to your second question is a bit complicated, here's a true story of a doc experiencing legal issues because of the disorder.

 

[PreMedHopeful]

I don't believe in medication for bipolar disease. they just might have a bad mood once in a while like me, I get bitchy when I'm stressed but you need to learn to control emotions, stress level, and find some time for fun/socializing in order to be healthy

thats my 2 cents

 

[gibbons482]

I would consider well-controlled as not having an major symptoms or mood swings. I haven't for the past two years. I have previously when I was younger been hospitalized for it, I am Bipolar I and I didn't know it at the time. But after finding the right medication, I'm finding I have little to no trouble with it at all.

 

[Zona Pellucida]

I would consider well-controlled as not having an major symptoms or mood swings. I haven't for the past two years. I have previously when I was younger been hospitalized for it, I am Bipolar I and I didn't know it at the time. But after finding the right medication, I'm finding I have little to no trouble with it at all.

Then go for it. 👍

 

[chman]

I don't believe in medication for bipolar disease. they just might have a bad mood once in a while like me, I get bitchy when I'm stressed but you need to learn to control emotions, stress level, and find some time for fun/socializing in order to be healthy

thats my 2 cents

Just because you "don't believe in medication" does not mean people don't need it.

 

[gibbons482]

Just because you "don't believe in medication" does not mean people don't need it.

👍 I agree. The only way it's controlled is through medication and sometimes concomitant therapy. You can't have Bipolar, particularly Bipolar I and be functioning as a unmedicated person. Sooner or later the s^%& will hit the fan.

 

[loveoforganic]

I don't believe in medication for bipolar disease. they just might have a bad mood once in a while like me, I get bitchy when I'm stressed but you need to learn to control emotions, stress level, and find some time for fun/socializing in order to be healthy

thats my 2 cents

How can you both think that bipolar disorder boils down to "being in a bad mood once in a while" and think you're qualified to assess the treatment for it? 😕

 

[Birdsbeak]

I think that Bipolar disorder is a disease that needs to be constantly monitored and treated through medication. It is a lifelong battle that often has many blips even when treated properly. I am thankful that I don't have to bear that burden. Life is hard enough as is.

I am skeptical of doctors that have to battle a disorder like that. The same can be said of doctors that are recovering alcoholics or drug addicts.

 

[chman]

I think that Bipolar disorder is a disease that needs to be constantly monitored and treated through medication. It is a lifelong battle that often has many blips even when treated properly. I am thankful that I don't have to bear that burden. Life is hard enough as is.

I am skeptical of doctors that have to battle a disorder like that. The same can be said of doctors that are recovering alcoholics or drug addicts.

My doctor is a recovering alcoholic. He is a great doctor and I will keep him until he retires. People do make mistakes and learn from them. Doctors are human too.

 

[Birdsbeak]

My doctor is a recovering alcoholic. He is a great doctor and I will keep him until he retires. People do make mistakes and learn from them. Doctors are human too.

Like I said, I am skeptical. This does not mean that people do not deserve a second chance, but I think that having serious problems like that take a lot of energy to battle and control.

 

[chman]

Like I said, I am skeptical. This does not mean that people do not deserve a second chance, but I think that having serious problems like that take a lot of energy to battle and control.

They do. But from what I know about addiction (I have a few in recovery in my family) is that the hardest part is the first couple years. After someone has 3+ years under their belt they are pretty darn stable. In fact, they are as "normal" as they were before. But I would not want a doctor with less than 5 years of sobriety/clean time to be my personal physician. Anything more than that I am cool with.

 

[Birdsbeak]

They do. But from what I know about addiction (I have a few in recovery in my family) is that the hardest part is the first couple years. After someone has 3+ years under their belt they are pretty darn stable. In fact, they are as "normal" as they were before. But I would not want a doctor with less than 5 years of sobriety/clean time to be my personal physician. Anything more than that I am cool with.

I suppose we are in partial agreement. The part where we part is regarding a person being "normal" after treatment.

I think once a person develops a problem, such as alcoholism, I view it as a disease that requires constant vigilance and management. At any point that person can lapse. That is why groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous hold weekly meetings. The most successful recovering alcoholics attend meetings for the rest of their lives. There are inevitably times of weakness and one drink can set an alcoholic back to pre-treatment levels.

Unlike a "non drinker" an alcoholic can't have just one drink. It is a tough disease to manage.

 

[chman]

I suppose we are in partial agreement. The part where we part is regarding a person being "normal" after treatment.

I think once a person develops a problem, such as alcoholism, I view it as a disease that requires constant vigilance and management. At any point that person can lapse. That is why groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous hold weekly meetings. The most successful recovering alcoholics attend meetings for the rest of their lives. There are inevitably times of weakness and one drink can set an alcoholic back to pre-treatment levels.

Unlike a "non drinker" an alcoholic can't have just one drink. It is a tough disease to manage.

I worded it wrong. What I meant was that they "function" normally. Your right, addiction is a life long thing. But it does get way easier as time goes by, from what I have observed, and from my own experience kicking smoking cigs.

 

[Birdsbeak]

I worded it wrong. What I meant was that they "function" normally. Your right, addiction is a life long thing. But it does get way easier as time goes by, from what I have observed, and from my own experience kicking smoking cigs.

It appears we are on the same page. Congrats on quitting cigarettes. That is a good thing.

 

[drvermont]

I dunno, but I kind of have a hard time thinking that someone with bipolar disorder could and should go through med school. Treated or not.

This sounds pretty intolerant and ignorant, i'm sure, but it's just my opinion.

I suppose everyone can berate me on my submission and perhaps enlighten me? I'm sincerely open to opinion. thx.

👍

Respectfully, your opinion is, if nothing else, ill-informed. First, the Americans with disabilities act protects your right to attend medical school even with a well-treated illness such as bi-polar.
There are a host of treatments for bipolar as you already well know. This is something you will have to contend with for the rest of your life as you also well know.
In addition to consulting with your mental health professional, my suggestion is that you contact medical schools early regarding your situation. I think you will find that they will be supportive and informative. Moreover, if you have generally been able to succeed academically, professionally and socially despite your bipolar, you may find that the illness is an asset because you ability to persevere will reflect as strength of character in the face of adversity. In addition you've got a good essay topic.
I could go on, the point is, SDN is really good for some things, but not so good for others, such as telling you what your limitations should or shouldn't be.
Good luck!

 

[loveoforganic]

I disagree on one of your points (maybe, you weren't entirely clear). I would NOT divulge any information whatsoever about your disorder until you are ACCEPTED to your school. There is a stigma toward mental illness, and while they may be receptive to helping you how they can once you're a student, prior to that I feel it would be detrimental to your applications.

 

[chman]

Respectfully, your opinion is, if nothing else, ill-informed. First, the Americans with disabilities act protects your right to attend medical school even with a well-treated illness such as bi-polar.
There are a host of treatments for bipolar as you already well know. This is something you will have to contend with for the rest of your life as you also well know.
In addition to consulting with your mental health professional, my suggestion is that you contact medical schools early regarding your situation. I think you will find that they will be supportive and informative. Moreover, if you have generally been able to succeed academically, professionally and socially despite your bipolar, you may find that the illness is an asset because you ability to persevere will reflect as strength of character in the face of adversity. In addition you've got a good essay topic.
I could go on, the point is, SDN is really good for some things, but not so good for others, such as telling you what your limitations should or shouldn't be.
Good luck!

I disagree with part of this. While the American with disabilities act does protect against discrimination, med-school is a little different. Most, if not all med-schools have a thing you must sign. Usually with a title such as, "essential functions statement/requirements." In this they usually state that if your mental disorder affects your ability to be a doctor that you cannot go to school there.

So, if it were me, I would steer clear of talking to the schools about it unless asked. Now, where I do agree is that with the proper treatment the OP should be fine, as long as everything has been under control for some time.

 

[devilpup]

I don't believe in medication for bipolar disease. they just might have a bad mood once in a while like me, I get bitchy when I'm stressed but you need to learn to control emotions, stress level, and find some time for fun/socializing in order to be healthy

thats my 2 cents

do some reading on the matter. With good sense, it might steer your beliefs a bit.

 

[Birdsbeak]

I would also not mention anything to a potential medical school / employer / friend or anyone outside of family regarding a mental illness. No good will come of it. You just don't air dirty laundry.

There is a very real stigma against people with mental illness.

Secondly, regarding Premedhopeful's comments, I think that he/she is desperately misinformed regarding Bipolar Disorder. This is not an illness that can be controlled through wishful thinking or diet and exercise. It needs to be controlled through medication and ideally some therapy.

 

[chman]

Secondly, regarding Premedhopeful's comments, I think that he/she is desperately misinformed regarding Bipolar Disorder. This is not an illness that can be controlled through wishful thinking or diet and exercise. It needs to be controlled through medication and ideally some therapy.

EDIT: Deleted due to reading comment wrong.

 

[sr9]

I don't believe in medication for bipolar disease. they just might have a bad mood once in a while like me, I get bitchy when I'm stressed but you need to learn to control emotions, stress level, and find some time for fun/socializing in order to be healthy

thats my 2 cents

so what other widely-recognized diseases do you not "believe" in?

 

[Birdsbeak]

so what other widely-recognized diseases do you not "believe" in?

I don't mean to slag off PreMedHopeful, but I think opinions like the one he/she expressed are disrespectful and ignorant. It kind of reminds me of Suzanne Somers saying that good nutrition could have save Patrick Swayze's life.

 

[tallandshort]

I agree, mental disorders are legitimate diseases, they are not having a bad day or feeling bitchy. In the case of bipolar disorder, although there is much about the disease that still needs to be identified it is thought to be caused by fluctuations in brain chemistry leading to subsequent manic or depressive episodes. Therefore, bipolar disorder is a disease requiring medical treatment (medication) to attempt to correct the fluctuation/imbalance. The symptoms of bipolar disorder don't just go away by trying to keep your emotions under control, that doesn't change your brain chemistry and therefore isn't a solution. I'm surprised that individuals interested in becoming physicians (and treating medical conditions) would be ignorant enough about mental disorders to not even consider them legitimate diseases that require medical treatment. Please educate yourself people, your future patients deserve that from you.

 

[WaterBird]

OP, I highly suggest you check out Kay Redfield Jamison, an MD who is a professor at Johns Hopkins, an expert on bipolar, and living with the condition herself. An Unquiet Mind is her memoir of living with bipolar as a medical professional.

Statistically, there are many MDs and medstudents with bipolar and other forms of mental illness. There is no reason for you to disclose during the admissions process if your condition is well controlled (as it sounds like it is) but you should remain vigilant. Make an appointment at your school's counseling center as soon as you start med school and continue going even when your life gets busy. Tell a few close friends about your bipolar and tell them what to watch out for so that if you do become manic again, you get the treatment you need quickly.

 

[chman]

OP, I highly suggest you check out Kay Redfield Jamison, an MD who is a professor at Johns Hopkins, an expert on bipolar, and living with the condition herself. An Unquiet Mind is her memoir of living with bipolar as a medical professional.

Statistically, there are many MDs and medstudents with bipolar and other forms of mental illness. There is no reason for you to disclose during the admissions process if your condition is well controlled (as it sounds like it is) but you should remain vigilant. Make an appointment at your school's counseling center as soon as you start med school and continue going even when your life gets busy. Tell a few close friends about your bipolar and tell them what to watch out for so that if you do become manic again, you get the treatment you need quickly.

Good suggestions. Yea, with over forty-million people in the U.S having some form of depression, I think it is safe to say that there are many doc's practicing that have bipolar or some other condition; hopefully with most of them getting proper treatment.

 

[Sluggie]

My father was severely bipolar and adored by all his patients. Of course it takes a toll on the family, but many individuals with bipolar disorder have had outstanding professional lives.

I would suggest to follow your dreams, but always remember you are in it for your patients and you must know in the unlikely case that you pose any danger to them.

 

[wholeheartedly]

There's actually an article on this right now on SDN's main page

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2007/10/highs-and-lows-bipolar-in-medical-school/

 

[Siggy]

I don't believe in medication for bipolar disease. they just might have a bad mood once in a while like me, I get bitchy when I'm stressed but you need to learn to control emotions, stress level, and find some time for fun/socializing in order to be healthy

thats my 2 cents

...and you're experience with bipolar patients is, what exactly, again?

 

[noahconstrictor]

Seems like all medical schools list a health requirement on their website. However, bpd won't prevent you from passing a physical. I don't know if schools require access to your medical records, or if this would even be legal or ethical. My advice would be to not volunteer this information. Need to know basis and all that. I do have personal experience as a psychiatric social worker and can tell you that clients of mine who were nurses had some licensing issues, but only after they were hospitalized (or worse, arrested) after which they had to wait a year before going before a review board for recertification. I imagine it would be the similar for a doctor, perhaps more stringent. Anyone on that board on sdn? Anyway, I say go for it, keep tight lipped, and continue your treatment. Good luck!

 

[Substance P]

I don't believe in medication for bipolar disease. they just might have a bad mood once in a while like me, I get bitchy when I'm stressed but you need to learn to control emotions, stress level, and find some time for fun/socializing in order to be healthy

thats my 2 cents

Are you kidding me? You need to do some research, because that's one of the most ignorant things I've read in quite some time...


OP, that's a tough one. I wouldn't even know how to answer this question for you, but I would ask if you are certain this is a career you want to pursue. Your disorder can make this path extremely difficult and could possibly put the lives of your patients at risk, depending on the severity of your specific case. You should probably discuss this one with your psychiatrist and possibly find more data elsewhere about physicians who have been able to do it. Devilpup had some nice links, so that might be a good start.

Either way, I wish you the best of luck.

 

[DenaliView]

I don't believe in medication for bipolar disease. they just might have a bad mood once in a while like me, I get bitchy when I'm stressed but you need to learn to control emotions, stress level, and find some time for fun/socializing in order to be healthy

that's my 2 cents

Is this based simply on principle or from actual experience? 🙄 I work as a psych nurse and seeing a patient on a manic high unable to sleep for days who can't stop talking or pacing become medicated is a dramatic difference. All of the sudden someone who was rambling nonstop screaming at you one minute and then crying the next is able to have a normal healthy conversation. Working in an inpatient psych facility, getting many of these patients to adhere to the medication regime can be troublesome. Many patients struggling with bipolar disease do not feel as though they need to be medicated and enjoy the highs...Even if they are obnoxious even to their own families who cannot stand being around them.

As for the OP as stated above that's a really hard one. It sounds as though you are very aware of your illness and are on top of keeping it under control. As being someone who has not gone through medical school I of course could not answer definitely but if it was me I would go for it. You will never know unless you try.... Good Luck

 

[Suenya]

I don't believe in medication for bipolar disease. they just might have a bad mood once in a while like me, I get bitchy when I'm stressed but you need to learn to control emotions, stress level, and find some time for fun/socializing in order to be healthy

thats my 2 cents

I normally think comments about peoples ability to be effective physicians based on forum posts, but if this is legitimate, I sort of wonder. I mean, med students have to study psychiatry and neurology, and be capable of understanding a host of problems in internal medicine that result in affect changes.

 

[PreMedHopeful]

I don't think it should be a problem if the medication works to balance the person's mood. My friend has bipolar disorder and his psychiatrist said he knows a doctor with well-controlled bipolar disorder with medication.

 

[PreMedHopeful]

Personally, it all depends on the specific individual...I think it's all about work ethic and the person can overcome the illness with or without medication.

 

[c5212]

this thread covers it all
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=573893
😀😀😀

 

[Rendar5]

Personally, it all depends on the specific individual...I think it's all about work ethic and the person can overcome the illness with or without medication.

and the person who hasn't slept in 7 days and is running in the street in traffic with a garbage bag dress who designs their own fashion label (the garbage bags) representing the second coming of Jesus and is talking literally 100 words a minute, most of which don't make the least bit of sense...
she just needs work ethic and can overcome her illness without medication, right?