working while bipolar

[cocoleli]

I was wondering should I stop seeing my pdoc and my social workers period because there is a certain job that i want with the city and I know Ican do it. but it was made known to me by someone if they discover if i had this illness i wont be able to work this particular job. And i know i can do it. So now i am in a dilemma. But others says that they cant pull my medical records without my consent. Can anyone help me with this. Because now it seems that I may have to make a choice between my career and this illness. and this job i want is something I always wanted to do.

[jen21287]

Due to the Americans With Disabilities Act, employers are not allowed to discriminate and deny jobs based on a physical or mental disability. I would not suggest stopping all treatment for this job. No job is worth your sanity, well being and potentially your life. If you stop everything, there is an extremely high chance that you will relapse. If you are in the midst of an extreme manic or depressive state, you might be unable to do the job at all and risk losing it. You do not need to disclose your medical records to any employer.

With that said, I believe law enforcement is required to look at medical records and perform a psych evaluation as well as the military.(The government always seems to be above the law)  I think the main thing in those two fields of work is that they have weapons. It could definitely be a liability if an officer became manic or depressed.

And, if you do stop all treatment and show them your records, it is still on file that you have been diagnosed with a mental illness. It would be even more of a red flag that you have stopped treatment. This illness is life long and will never go away.

[Jikan]

I've had bipolar disorder for several years now and I'm currently on disabiity although I would love to work.  I did try a few part-time jobs, but always succumbed to the stress of the particular job and would end up not showing up for work or quitting. I admire you for trying to work, but be sure you're stable enough and that you maintain you're medications and counseling, if applicable.

[cocoleli]

I want to be a nurse, coroners assistant, and especially work in law enforcement. I have more manic phase then depression. I do believe I will be able to handle this. especially since i have a five year old son i have to care for own my own. Dont they need probable cause in order to look at that type of information on you as well as your permission? Now I not trying to go the disability route but i am getting really discourage here. :(((((

[jen21287]

If you want to be a nurse or coroner's assistant, they do not need to look at your medical information. I was going along the nursing route (I have changed to something else) and I know that they cannot ask you about your mental health. My doctor even verified that information for me. But I do know law enforcement requires a psych exam and a very intense one at that. In order to qualify as a law enforcement officer, you must pass a physical evaluation and agility test as well as a psychological evaluation just to be considered.  It doesn't hurt to try though. Look up online the police academy in your area and check out the qualifications. Good luck.

[cocoleli]

thank you so much jen. i will definetly look into that

[bernie40]

Hi,  I wish you all the best if you decide to go ahead but I would say that I agree with the others that it is not a good idea to stop your treatment and visits.  I did exactly this, I found a terrific job which I knew that I was more than intellectually capable of doing but I lied on the medical questionnaire because despite the disability discrimination act (I live in the UK) I knew that if told them about my mental health I would not get the job (afterall how can you prove whether you have been turned down because of your mental health), I got the job and I lasted 4 weeks before the combination of no medication, stress of working (I had been off work for 2 years prior to this) etc caused a mood crash.  Looking back I can now see that I was "manic" when I saw the job, went for it and got it.  I would love to work but in the last 13 years have been unable to hold down a job for more than a couple of weeks (with the exception of one job where I only worked 15 hours and was on my own!).

I think that part of accept bipolar is also accepting our limitations - this is the really hard bit and I'm certainly struggling to do that.

Please talk to your doc about how you are feeling and listen to what he/she has to say.

All the best.  Helen

[triedeverymed]

Your medical records are PRIVATE due to the newest HIPPA regulations. Your employer may not "pull" them without your written consent. There is no reason you have to mention your illness to your potential employer unless you are going to request special job accomodations. I just went to a seminar on this very subject and that's what I learned.
I know certain jobs, like police officers and things like that do get very detailed regarding your past history but your bipolar illness is no reson not to get any given position as long as you are able to perform all the duties in the job description.
Also no need to stop seeing your doc and counselor because that is already in your records. They must be especially careful with your records. They cannot even acknowledge you are a patient without your WRITTEN consent.
So go for that job and keep up your treatment. If it comes down to you having to tell them of your condition, simply state you have a mild mood disorder and leave the word Bipolar out. You don't want to be discriminated because of it. Employers aren't allowed to to that but we all know it happens all the time in the workplace. Keep all your medical information confidential if possible. If you must release medical history to prove physically fit, use your primary medical doctor's records and do not mention you have a pdoc or therapist. It's no one's business but yours.
If I can answer in more detail, message me. I do have 2 years of law school under my belt and have many up to date books I could check the law in your state.
Good Luck!

[triedeverymed]

FYI, even if you are going for a law enforcement position, you will be required to pass their psych evaluation which you should be able to do if your illness is controlled. There are laws in place that prohibit them from discriminating against you because you are bipolar. Again, they don't need to have access to your psych. records. How are they to even know you are seeing a pdoc, and the therapist is fully off limits.
Let the Americans with Disablities Act work for you if it goes that far. But from what you are saying, you shouldn't have trouble getting into one of those fields you mentioned. The HIPPA laws protect a lot of your information.

[cocoleli]

I understand where you are coming from. But it seems like when i put my mind to something that is what I want to do. I know there are limitations but that doesnt cross my mind especially regarding something that I want. But believe me when I say I am taking everything into consideration.

[cocoleli]

Thats what I thought medical records are private. Someone told me if I am using medicaid then the state can get anything they want. And I know that i will have no trouble passing the Psych evualation test because that is something I want to do. And with that i will continue with my meds at schedule.

[triedeverymed]

The Supreme Court decided under title II of the ADA that mental illness is a form of disability and therefore covered under the ADA.

Having shown you that tid bit, medicaid or not, medical records are private, period. Does it mean someone won't illegally try to get them? No but then you could sue and it would be one big mess. City and State employers follow these rules to a T. The HR people don't want to get fired for breaking the law. ANd they would have to know someone at Medicaid to sneak your records, it doesn't happen. Although a far left liberal will give you a different answer_LOL!
Seriously these people don't get paid enough to sneak around looking at your medical history and I've worked with my states HR dept. and many of the cities here in AZ and I know they just do their jobs when hiring, they want to fill openings as fast as possible because they have huge work loads to handle. The HR department is the hardest worked and monst underpaid in my opinion.
Also per the Act you can't be physically tested until you have been offered the job and then ALL OTHER APPLICANTS must be tested with you. That is the law unless the company you work for has less than 15 employees.
It's the most confusing type of law I will admit but I would not stop one bit of treatment, you are protected under the constitution and you have rights!

I would not worry about it and apply for the jobs and see what happens. You have to get the interview before anything else happens so I would get busy on that!!
I sent you the full PDF file on both Hiipa and AWDA. Start job hunting, don't worry about memorizing the law. You'll never leave the house if you try to do that-LOL!!
Good Luck.

[jen21287]

Here is a link to information from the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) about hiring police officers - they seem to have made some exceptions to the law. However, you are not completely disqualified. Still try, but at least read this to see what you are getting into and your rights as well as the police department's rights.

http://www.ada.gov/copsq7a.htm

[cocoleli]

Thank you all. I will definetly look into this information that you all have given me. Thanks for the help