I have a history of bipolar I disorder for over 12 years but was first diagnosed in 2004. I have been well for almost 2 years now, and have not taken any medication for a long time, and no longer see a psychiatrist. During medical school I had a few episodes of mainly depression and some episodes of mania/hypomania that required time off but I was never hospitalized. I did have to remediate my OB/GYN clerkship but my MSPE mentioned nothing about this, any my performance was otherwise stellar (all honors apart from OB/GYN). I did have to take a year off during med school because it really got to me, but I did a research fellowship at a top psychiatry department so there were no red flags on my application.
I have now matched into a psych residency but am unsure whether to disclose this history or not? I do not want to, but my adviser said it might be in my best interests. I dont want everyone knowing, or for people overanalyzing my behavior looking for signs I might be manic or depressed, and I am worried that I will be forced to take medication. I had really bad side effects so will not take meds except for acute mania now. Also, I dont want my illness to be used an excuse to fire me, if for instance, I complain about something. I dont want any special exceptions or to be treated differently, I just want to do my job and become the best psychiatrist I can.
Could I be fired if I dont disclose my history and it later becomes apparent?
Do I have to declare this in my licensing application? The question reads something like do you have a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice medicine (my interpretation is no since the present tense is used and not the condition- it could impair me, but it doesnt) If I do not declare it (personally I dont think it is any of their business anyway, it is the duty of the hospital not the state to evaluate fitness to practice) and it is discovered, could I lose my license?
Could I be forced to take medication? (I do not want to get in a debate about this, there is no evidence for benefit of long term medication beyond 18 months in bipolar disorder for anything other than lithium which does not agree with me)
I have now matched into a psych residency but am unsure whether to disclose this history or not? I do not want to, but my adviser said it might be in my best interests. I dont want everyone knowing, or for people overanalyzing my behavior looking for signs I might be manic or depressed, and I am worried that I will be forced to take medication. I had really bad side effects so will not take meds except for acute mania now. Also, I dont want my illness to be used an excuse to fire me, if for instance, I complain about something. I dont want any special exceptions or to be treated differently, I just want to do my job and become the best psychiatrist I can.
Could I be fired if I dont disclose my history and it later becomes apparent?
Do I have to declare this in my licensing application? The question reads something like do you have a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice medicine (my interpretation is no since the present tense is used and not the condition- it could impair me, but it doesnt) If I do not declare it (personally I dont think it is any of their business anyway, it is the duty of the hospital not the state to evaluate fitness to practice) and it is discovered, could I lose my license?
Could I be forced to take medication? (I do not want to get in a debate about this, there is no evidence for benefit of long term medication beyond 18 months in bipolar disorder for anything other than lithium which does not agree with me)