Getting licensed as a bipolar physician

[MedicFirst]

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I know there are plenty of threads about physicians or med students with bipolar but none answer the specific questions I need answered, so here goes.

I'm reaching out to physicians who are in treatment / have undergone treatment for bipolar then had to get licensed / relicensed. I cannot find anything in plain language about the licensing procedure for individuals with bipolar. I know that some states ask if you have ever been impaired by mental illness (not since a short period in undergrad) and other states inquire about specific diagnoses (bipolar is named.) I know the ADA has scolded boards for doing so, yet they still do it. I've read articles, been on every thread you can think of, even asked (anonymously) the councilor to look around and try to find out what the licensing process is and NO ONE KNOWS. Probably because of the stigma.

Specific questions:
1.) Do you have to submit your medical records / interview with the licensing board?
2.) Did anyone get denied / placed on probation merely because they were bipolar?
3.) Has anyone successfully gotten licensed as a bipolar physician without lying about their condition?
3b) Has anyone lied and what do you think about this option?
4.) Has anyone had the information they submitted to the board leaked to an employer? Has anyone gotten fired for being bipolar?
5.) How often does the board require that you check in with them about your status? Do you have to keep submitting your medical records? IS THIS FOR LIFE?

The areas I am looking at are Georgia, Illinois, and Florida.

I am frustrated and angry. No one told me that by seeking help I tied both hands. I wouldn't be successful without meds and therapy, yet I might spend 200K then not get licensed. This is unacceptable.

A little about me. I am a female M1 (osteopath) with 5 years experience in the medical field. I am in my mid 20s. I am good at my job and passing the tests is not going to be a problem. I may not be the smartest of my classmates, but I get **** done. This is the one thing standing in my way.

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[MedicFirst]

Am I in the wrong place? This is my first time posting on a forum...

 

[ChrisGriffen]

I highly doubt that you will face ANY resistance in licensing. I dont have anything to back it up with, but it seems a bit outlandish. Also, try posting in the physician/resident forums. You will have better luck finding someone who has done it before in those forums.

 

[MedicFirst]

I highly doubt that you will face ANY resistance in licensing. I dont have anything to back it up with, but it seems a bit outlandish. Also, try posting in the physician/resident forums. You will have better luck finding someone who has done it before in those forums.

I just posted there a few hours ago, thanks. That's what I thought too before I started looking into it. Apparently the reason physicians have one of the highest suicide rates is the risk of not getting re-licensed that comes with getting documented treatment for mental illness, suicidal ideation, etc. Some states limit the questioning to "has the ability to do your job ever been impaired by mental illness?" which would be fine. Other states inquire into specific diagnoses like bipolar or ask if you've received treatment in the last seven years, etc. If you disclose that you've sought treatment, they ask to interview you and have you submit your medical records. I think you get placed under oversight and are asked to submit regular updates but I'm not sure if this is for a bit or for as long as you hold the license. According to several articles, some licensing boards can arbitrarily deny your license based on your mental health history, however, this has not been confirmed and may just be hearsay... According to the minutes from the NC licensing committee, if you have an issue with performance (which I hope never to have), your diagnosis is disclosed in their minutes and free for the world to see. Un. Freaking. Believable.

 

[cabinbuilder]

The state medical boards do have specific question regarding alcohol abuse, drug abuse, convictions, and mental health issues. You would need to contact the state medical board and inquire about what their protocol is for folks who have documented mental illness, etc. I know if you say yes to any of the questions then their in an inquiry into your background and feasability of patient safety, etc.

 

[MedicFirst]

Thanks 🙂 that's the next step, although I have no idea how to do it anonymously. You'd think they keep track of that stuff... Has anyone been through the inquiry process?

 

[cabinbuilder]

just set up a dummy hotmail account with some name - Jane Smith and inquire. All the boards prefer email correspondence and you will get an answer quicker.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Closing as this is crossposted in the Gen Res forum.