Driving in the UK / Diagnosis of Bipolar

[dippy1]

Having a bit of a panic here. Just been reading the DVLA web site guide to medical conditions and driving. My CPN said today that she's beginning to wonder whether my major depression (diagnosed 15m ago) is starting to look more bipolar. I was there a while before her. Have others lost their license due to official diagnoses? If you're hypomanic rather than manic can they apply the same rules- it looks real harsh to me.
Whilst I'm at it, would people out there prefer an official label, or not; what are the arguments either way? Am already on quetiapine amonst others.

[moonblue]

yes you can drive just need to do a medical every few years ..if your doc thinks youre ok to drive theres no problemo

[bernie40]

Just had a look at the website and I see what you mean.  Its certainly never been suggested to me that I shouldn't drive.  

[bernie40]

Can we not drive with a diagnosis of bipolar?  Yikes, didn't know that.  Will have to look it up.  Without checking first I would think that to have your licence revoked you would have to be showing signs of psychosis or severe mania that could lead to endangering the lives of others.

Regarding labels, in a sense it was a relief to know there was a name for what I was going through, on the other hand there is a stigma attached to having any kind of mental illness and I believe that in this country it goes against you when applying for jobs.  Having worked in HR I know that the medical form that gets filled in on application is read by the person you apply to (not a medical person like they have you believe) - I may well be generalising here but its certainly what i've found.  I've come across stigma in education, the work place as well as in the general arena of society.

So, its a bit of both really.  I think you need the correct diagnosis to get the correct medical treatment and therapy and that is the most important thing.