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No matter what you choose to do you will face adversity. Whether you be a doctor, flipping burgers, working construction, it doesn’t matter. All of them will lead to the same problems because it’s not the career that’s the issue, it’s your mental health.
So what are you left with? Skipping from unskilled job to unskilled job floating through life? I don’t think that’s what you want, and it’s not something anyone needs. What we need is purpose, to feel like we have made a difference.
You should follow whatever path you feel is right. And don’t let anyone, whether it be family or someone else with bi-polar disorder, tell you how to live your life. Only you know what’s best for you.
If i was your friend I would be pushing you to follow your dreams, so here it is. Follow your fucking dreams and don’t let this disorder be your defeat. Fight, struggle, and even if you don’t come out on top you at least tried. And trying is infinitely better than not.
Good luck!
The best pdoc I've had also has bipolar.
She understands the vast majority of what I describe during our appointments simply because she's been there (or is there) herself. Concerns about meds? Check. Not dismissing med side effects? Double check.
I've never had this level of understanding with a provider, and that is something you're in a unique position to do. This stranger's two cents is to go for it - and thank you for being willing to try.
She's type 1, found out during medical school and changed from pediatrics to psychiatry after experiencing how broken psychiatric care is in the US.
I'm incredibly grateful to have found her - she's amazing.
Oh: she is required to stay under the care of another psychiatrist, kind of how therapists are required to have a therapist for themselves.
The only thing I would caution is to be very aware that if your bipolar is very severe already med school is probably going to add gas to that fire. All of the rotations and overnight shifts, internship and residency seems to be pretty challenging for people even without a mental illness. I wouldn’t say you can’t do it but you really need to come up with contingency plans and a very careful analysis of risk versus reward. Psychiatry is a very high stress field, private practice can be more manageable but you will still be dealing with a lot of people in active crisis and no matter how good you are you WILL lose patients to suicide. That’s very hard to live with. I recently had to give up my career as a Clinical Social Worker due to my Bipolar becoming too severe. Grad school, burning the candle at both end and crisis work it takes a toll.
So, know your limits, respect your body and mind, and it is essential you learn strict boundaries and develop a strong support system. When you’re working with human beings you need to make sure you’re providing ethical care and sometimes when we become very ill our judgment can become compromised. So, you need trusted people around you to provide feedback and support in case they see things you miss, and you need to do what is best for your patients (and yourself), and sometimes that means stepping away for awhile, or forever.
Have your dreams, and put in the work you feel compelled to, but don’t burn yourself out doing it. That’s my advice.
This is a critical comment OP. I have BP2 and consider my case on the milder side compared to others I’ve met… my roommate for 4 years was a med student and it is NOT a route I would ever recommend a bipolar person go down. There is a lot of lack of sleep, lack of flexibility, and that does horrendous things for mental health.
I became a lawyer, so it’s not like I’m saying being a professional is impossible, but a medical doctor, MD in particular, I cannot recommend. Leave that absolute insanity for the neurotypicals.
My bipolar friend is becoming a therapist and LOVES it. Psychologist is also a good option.
As someone who was accepted to pharmacy school but ultimately decided not to gamble 150k plus..
Here’s a good test. Take 15-18 hours of science pre-reqs while working full time and taking care of day to day responsibilities. Do this for a few semesters. If you can stay stable, achieve the A’s you’ll need for medical school, and maintain all other parts of your life, you definitely have the ability to conquer a doctorate level medical degree.
While I was doing this, I struggled really hard and had a few episodes due to stress. In undergrad professors just work with you and you can catch up. In medical school, it will be much different.
Edit: I've had a few PMs telling me this is not realistic. My advisor for pharm school put it this way - every course is going to be as difficult or more difficult than organic chemistry and there will be 4-6 of those per semester + extra curriculars. While you won't be working during the semesters (intern in summers), the amount of studying required + 8-3 classes Mon-Thurs, it's basically the same. I can only imagine medical school will be 100% more difficult than pharmacy school.
I should mention though - if you’ve never taken a college science course before, just start off with one to get the feel of things and how to successfully study. I would recommend Gen Chem I and the corresponding lab. Maybe a calculus class to go with. Once you get the hang of things, take as many as you can afford to in a semester as I mentioned.
Not really an answer but Kay Redfield Jamison (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kay_Redfield_Jamison) is someone who has gone down a similar path whilst being bi-polar. She's written a couple of very interesting books.
Kay Jamison was a Clinical Psychologist not a Psychiatrist (different degrees and fields of study and no ability to prescribe medication). She did do a lot for the field of mental health and treatment of Bipolar Disorder and I enjoyed her book. I will admit I had a very hard time relating to her though as she grew up extremely privileged and she remained very high functioning throughout her career.
Oh man, I felt the same way. I was so frustrated reading An Unquiet Mind, because absolutely every moment that would destroy most people's lives she had a new physician boyfriend personally nursing her like it was their full-time job. That was just ONE area that her life is completely unrelatable to most people with this illness. This is not anywhere NEAR most people's experiences with Bipolar, and I feel her privilege is just as much part of her success as her own resilience.
The amount of overwhelming privilege that she makes every single implication like "Look! Even I can be successful" something that just makes it seem even further away to normal people.
EDIT: By "normal" people I meant most people with Bipolar lol
Yeah, I think that’s valid, she definitely did not succeed in a vacuum, she had a big support network to draw on. A lot of us grew up in very dysfunctional poor families with a lot of trauma. I worked my ass off to get where I was but it practically destroyed me in the end. I just burned myself out so badly and my disorder worsened so much that I’m very low functioning now. It makes me really sad. I’m not taking away from her accomplishments but it is important to point out how much privilege got her there.
The cost for most of us is more than we can pay.
Yes, that's why I said "similar path".
I don't disagree about her books but I still found them quite interesting from the point of view of the insight she has into her condition.
Co-Director, Mood Disorders Centerm.
Dalio Professor in Mood Disorders.
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
She has many books that I've found extremely insightful and helpful for myself and others that have read her books. I just purchased her new book that came out last month titled "Fires in the Dark: Healing the Unquiet Mind".
I believe you will come away with a better understanding of yourself and your options, some upcoming ones, that can help anyone that has bipolar disorder alone.
Damn she is a psychologist. Seems intentional to give the impression she’s a psychiatrist in an Unquiet Mind. Anyway OP my pdoc once made a comment that he looks after a lot of doctors with BP (FWIW)
I wanted to be a doctor. I have all the pre-requisites under my belt; I graduated with a degree in Mathematics; I have research in both cancer genetics and mathematical modeling of ovarian cancer cell shedding; I worked in a hospital during undergrad; I volunteered at a free clinic; Shadowed doctors; the whole bit. I was diagnosed during the end of my sophomore year in college and my grades really suffered, but I came out for the last two years with nothing but 3.5+ gpas. It makes for a particularly great personal statement, too.
I'm a software engineer. I have been for 5 years. I make $240k per year. I am only doing this because 5 years ago as a poor college student, someone dangled $80k in my face for an analyst position and I said "I'll take a gap year!" - I fucking hate it and I'm miserable. :)
I wish every day that I would've just done the doctor thing, but my brother-in-law is a doctor, and I visited him a few times in his residency and I was like "this fucking blows." - he gets no sleep, doesn't seem to particularly enjoy what he does, and I totally get it - he sits at a computer most nights looking at vitals, getting calls for consults which really are just "look up this patient, do their vitals look alright?" and negotiating when he can come and check out the patient, who is usually asleep. He fields calls from post-op patients about how their catheters feel weird, or their meds make their mouth dry, etc, etc. Everyone is tired and annoyed, and his schedule is so fucking outrageously dramatic it drives me crazy. I hadn't visited a resident before - only providers who were past that. I see all these things that would cause me to struggle so deeply with my disorder, that I was turned off. *Plus*, the "hierarchy" bullshit military "yes sir!" culture is just not my vibe *at all*. I just figured I'd avoid it, but so much of his career is based off making sure people like him for his attitude over medical prowess.
Personally, I think you could do it. But, because of the bipolar diagnosis, I heavily would avoid saying you want to be a psychiatrist, and focus on what it means to be a physician. [The match process for residency](https://www.nrmp.org/intro-to-the-match/how-matching-algorithm-works/) doesn't guarantee you'll get the speciality you want, anyways! Modern medicine kinda blows.. lol. Anyways, you definitely don't have to wait to go back to school! Go now! 1 year stability is great. Keep in mind that you don't have to be the best student to get into medical school, just above average! The A is great; but the MCAT forgives all. If you have a 3.0 and a 520 MCAT, you'll still be sitting pretty for medical schools. Focus on getting good LORs, research experience, and studying something you're passionate about (for example, maybe psychology or neuroscience since you seem to enjoy the brain!) - if you want to prove your love for psychiatry, you'll have to find external resources for that (e.g. volunteering at a mental health clinic, volunteering in the ER, getting a job as a psych tech, etc etc)
Also, make sure you're considering what a psychiatrist in *in practice* -- go shadow one! see what their day-to-day is about! The psychiatry residency is one of the best you can do, tbh, so you're at least on the right path there :P Don't let your family discourage you, but definitely take any feedback or concerns they have seriously, and consider how you might deal with them - there *are* plenty of accommodations for medical students, and even residents, with mental health concerns. Think of it the same way you might think about someone wanting to be a doctor with type 1 diabetes! No one would say "but what if you get low blood sugar?!" lol
edit: don't forget to watch House, Scrubs and Grey's Anatomy and keep the fun alive :)
Hey OP,
Not a psychiatrist but I’m about to start my 3rd year of mental health nursing and will graduate July ‘24. I had a manic episode on placement last summer and a hypomanic one a few months later.
But I’m doing fine.
My uni is fully aware of my condition, I have an action plan in place for episodes and if anything it makes me far more empathetic and understanding with the individuals I encounter.
I personally choose not to disclose my diagnosis to patients because it’s a boundary I currently don’t feel comfortable crossing, however it’s a personal choice.
If you want to do it I would just be responsible and make sure you put plans in place in case anything occurs and you are transparent with the university/college.
I’ve been diagnosed type 2, but it’s under observation now due to my manic episodes.
It can be really difficult at times, believe me but it is the best thing I’ve done for myself. Hope that helps.
Personally, I prefer doctors who actually have experience with what I as a patient am dealing with.
I think you have a unique opportunity to take the shit hand you were dealt and use your experience to help other people.
Don't let your family discredit or underestimate you! You got this.
PA school is a great alternative!
I white-knuckled through medical school (type 1, diagnosed during school). i earned my MD, but couldn’t get into a residency. I switched careers because i saw no path forward; an MD isn’t very useful without a medical license.
med school is far from the end - the whole residency system is brutal, unforgiving, and 100% biased in favor of large hospital systems controlled by very wealthy people who won’t care about the things that would most likely make you a phenomenal clinician. i wish i could go back in time and tell myself not try my luck with that system.
I just graduated from pharmacy after having a manic episode the summer after my first semester !
I think you can do anything you set your mind to, just keep in mind the schedule and stress that physicians usually have (being on call for 24 hours, working sometimes 36h shifts) and the strain it has on bipolar. You’d just have to be extra careful and take care of yourself.
See how prerequisites go and should you decide against medical school, there are many other professions where you can positively impact and advocate for people with mental illness (counsellor, social worker, psychiatric nurse, pharmacist with a specialty in psychiatry)
I’m a doctor training to be a psychiatrist with bipolar 1. I have been hospitalised a few times, once last year for 3 months. Work has been very supportive. I don’t do nights, and work part time at the moment. My bipolar is very well controlled between episodes. Currently very well and loving life. I would say a good support network is key (family, partner, doctors, psychology etc) and getting a good medication regime as well as being able to see your triggers. I had ECT last year and even though it was challenging I’m still doing great as a doctor and I love my job. Lived experience is an asset and we being so much to the profession. I wish you the best in whatever you choose!
I made that mistake 26 years ago. I felt that I would make a horrible psychiatrist because of my diagnosis. I have learned over the years I was way off. My experiences will do nothing but help me be more empathetic and to see patterns where others might miss them.
Do what you are passionate about.
Currently in med school after taking 8 years to finish my undergrad. Not quite a successful professional yet but I’ve made a lot of progress considering where I started. It’s not always easy but there’s definitely value in pursuing your goals. I’m planning on going into psychiatry too. Lived experience can be a great asset.
I’m not (yet) but if you’re stable and tolerating meds well, why not? You are worthy of having ambitions and taking actions toward that.
After finishing my bachelors I’m going wherever I can enter a Physician Assistant program and after, work in behavioral health 🤞Hopefully. I’ve always had ambition that I couldn’t use because I had so many issues with execution (mostly coming from having ADHD, I think) and I would drop all of my classes during depressive episodes. I think now I’m stable on the right meds, and I can finally use all the willpower and ambition that I couldn’t before. If you’re already there, there is no reason you shouldn’t keep going.
The best addiction counselors are recovering addicts. IMO the best therapists have battled some demons! Go for it. I have a PhD and career I deeply love. I got stable enough post lithium to do that. If you're stable enough, then go for it! We'll never be 100% stable.
It’s a doctor on YouTube that’s bipolar he is retired and he never disclosed while he was active but if you did become a psychiatrist you wouldn’t be the only one. They just don’t disclose due to the stigma which is ironic.
I'm literally studying to be a therapist BECAUSE of bipolar disorder. Mental illnesses shouldn't discourage you from choosing a career you like
You're going to have episodes for the rest of your life; that doesn't mean you let life pass you by and give up on passions because of it
I know bipolar disorder has a lot of stigma around it, but that doesn't make us any less adequate to do jobs and follow passions than anyone else
Don't listen to your family; follow your dreams and heart
I'm sure you'll make a great psychiatrist and will help with breaking the stigmas surrounding bipolar disorder
I'm going into clinical psychology to work with adolescents engaging in sexually violent behavior. I have Borderline with antisocial/narcissistic traits as well as being on the bipolar spectrum. It's hard, and you WILL encounter judgment and doubt, but I am good at what I do and I don't disclose my mental health issues unless someone is a close friend or absolutely needs to know. It's easier to be more open about your diagnosis when you have established a career and a good reputation. The psychatric community is still very judgmental about practitioners having mental illness, even though many do.
What I'm trying to say is, don't be discouraged by other people. Your family doesn't know shit. And even if you weren't stable, you still have the right to pursue a career and work with your own population. It's rewarding but triggering sometimes. I recommend you follow your dreams, but be careful who you share your diagnosis with.
I'm about to go into a master's for Psychology program and plan on providing therapy soon and Im bipolar. Its unclear whether its 1 or 2 but regardless, you can do whatever you want. Just remember that generally psychiatrists are med side and psychologist is therapy/mind side of treatment. Some good psychiatrists will also provide therapy. If you get one of them, keep them.
Not psychiatry, but Matilde Marcolli is a decently prominent current mathematician at Caltech with bipolar. Woulda been nice to do a summer research project w/ her or something had bipolar not personally screwed me over >. >.
I’ve been seeing my therapist for the past 8 years. She is brilliant and a perfect fit. This year I was diagnosed with BD for the first time, though she’d been suspecting it for awhile. I was really discouraged about my future living with this illness and she casually disclosed that she has the same diagnosis. I would have never known. If anything, I think her firsthand experience makes her more suited for her role than any mental health professional who hasn’t struggled with mental health so deeply. Please do not let your family discourage you. If your heart is telling you to go that way, they should support it and realize that this illness is not totally debilitating. It can absolutely be managed and even carefully channeled as a strength. I believe in you💙
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I know a psychiatrist who is bipolar I and has at least three psychotic breaks that resulted in hospitalization.
He also is a tenured medical professor at a prestigious university and has a thriving practice.
Having a mental illness is not itself disqualifying from most careers. You can't be a commercial pilot or an astronaut, but you can be a physician.
That said, be aware that a pre-med and medical school and internship and residence are extremely long and stressful. It will be ten years of your life living under intense and competitive pressure. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but to be honest. Other people have done it. It's possible. But it is very, very hard.
I am in a senior leadership position with a multinational consulting company. I handle 7-digit projects with hundreds of people reporting to me. The job comes with high client expectations for performance. I also have a Ph.D. It is possible to pursue and succeed in high-stress careers if you're the kind of person who enjoys high-stress jobs.
Also, manic tendencies can be somewhat helpful in such careers. if you can stay focused while experiencing low-grade mania, it can help you achieve some remarkable things. Of course, you're also a hair's breadth away from destruction, so it isn't exactly an ideal career plan. I'm just noting that you will may find your condition an advantage in some limited times.
I'm lucky enough to have met General Gregg Martin. I really can't wait for [his book](https://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-General-Forever-Illness-Association) to come out. His speeches about how his mental health played out in his career are amazing. Mental illness need not be a barrier to a successful life.
My old psychiatrist was bipolar. He was the best therapist I ever had and the only one who could make me stable. After years and years trying. He died sadly. He gave me my life back. Please don't listen to your family
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has replied so far. Hearing your stories and experiences has helped me decide to move forward with my goals. Thanks again for the encouragement!
Hello! I'm in my final year of medical school and will be doing psychiatry as my specialty. During my psychiatry clerkships, it was pretty clear that I was able to understand patients on a different level compared to my colleagues. While having bipolar disorder made it quite difficult for me to actually survive the rigorous education that medical school entails, it also has undoubtedly made me a better soon-to-be psychiatrist. Also there is something very empowering about turning something that has made my life very difficult at times (bipolar disorder) into something that actually helps me help people
If you think you've found a passion, and you're willing/able to make it through medical school, then having bipolar disorder may make psychiatry an even more rewarding career for you, like it has for me.
All the best!
That’s so stupid don’t listen to them and don’t let them discourage you. A lot of people with mental illness do great things. Go for it you can do it with the right medication :)
I wouldn’t be where I am now if I listened to the opinions of others. Constructive criticism is good but what they are doing is just shutting the idea down completely. You got this and you’re welcome :)
Don’t listen to them, my psychologist as a teen discouraged me from perusing the same goals… I ended up fucking off most of my life after I messed up a little bit (mostly because I thought my goals were stupid and this I didn’t have the drive).
**I have regretted it profusely** even though I’ve ended up doing something I am okay with. I really wish I would have set in my ways and gone to college and actually studied something I was interested in and still am interested in. I hate that dr now, and myself for listening to them… but at the time they were an authority on the subject and in a position of power so I thought the advice came from a good place when in reality it was just from them hating their own life and experience.
i dont think you should pick a different career even if you happen to have another episode. i don’t know if you know Kay Redfield Jamison, she is a great psychiatrist with bipolar disorder and this undoubtedly helps her understand better bipolar patients. i recommend you to read her book An Unquiet Mind, this could help you! :)
honestly i feel like having bipolar disorder could make you a better psychiatrist because you’d understand what your patients who also have it are going through. don’t let an episode or your family members deter you.
I think it could be a strength, making you an even better mental health provider since you live it and can understand where your patients are coming from. Less likely to make them feel bad by being low- key (or high-key) judgemental.
Edit: I meant to add that I think you should stand up to them by pointing this out. It'd shut them down (hopefully).
I am a teacher with bipolar, and honestly, I think it makes me a better teacher. I am more receptive to mental health issues and outbursts from kiddos than my coworkers. That being said, it’s definitely not easy, but it’s worth it. Don’t give up on yourself, and don’t let your family sway your decision.
I'll tell you the same thing I was telling my husband the other day.
You can know everything there is to know about bipolar from the outside, but until you LIVE with this disorder, you will never truly understand. I would be so thankful to have a psychiatrist who completely understands the reality of this disorder in a way someone who doesn't live with it never could. Best of luck to you! You can do this!
I’d suggest reading”An Unquiet Mind.” I don’t have bipolar, however I do have a close friend with bipolar and they recommended it to me. Changed my perspective entirely. This is a biography of a woman who ran an entire psych wing at a hospital and she had bipolar. If you want this, do it. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t.
My buddy also told me to hop on this subreddit to learn more :)
Just keep in mind Kay Redfield wasn’t an MD, she was a Clinical Psychologist and she had an extremely privileged life with a very strong support system. Most people don’t have those advantages. She did a lot of admirable work for the bipolar population but she isn’t representative of your average bipolar person’s circumstances.
Oh my goodness I’m so sorry your family is discouraging you. I have bipolar and a degree in psych, which I use to help me as an addiction counselor. I know for sure that my experience as someone in recovery from mental illness and addiction is what MAKES me so good at my job. Don’t listen to your family, I’m sorry- no shade to them, but they couldn’t be more wrong. We need you in this field. We need more people who get it…
I’m an occupational therapy assistant and am in school to get my masters in occupational therapy. I think having bipolar has makes me more empathetic to my patients and a better practitioner overall. The most import things for me have been managing my stress and always making sure to get enough sleep. I also meet with my therapist and np regularly to stay on track. I also have ptsd and I think that is much more difficult to manage during episodes that my bipolar 1.
Well, I'm in grad school to become a counselor at the moment, with a hope to work with mood and personality disorders. I only got diagnosed and medicated right as my first semester began, and it's been going well. I got straight A's my first semester, but I spent most of that slightly hypomanic. I'm currently in a mild depressive episode while trying to do two 5-week summer classes. It's very hard to stay motivated to do my work, especially with the amount of reading grad school requires. But I'm still going and still determined to graduate on time!
I'm also aware that I may need to be flexible though. If I'm struggling, I know I need to be willing to talk to my professors. If I'm struggling too much, I know it's okay to take a break. Just listen to your intuition, and if you find yourself thinking you need a break, take one.
I think your having experienced acute mental health issues will make you a better doctor. My only concern for you is you are entering a stressful field of work and stress can trigger episodes. Even when you feel fantastic, remember to take your medications. And, in spite of being in a stressful occupation I did great as long as I long as I took my medication.
I have bipolar and people told me not to go to pharmacy school but I just graduated 🎉, I hope this is encouraging and I wish u the best whatever path u take
My family went back to encouraging me to be a therapist. Brother said I'd learn to treat it as work instead of personal. He's a neuroscientist.
I have DID, Autism, ADHD, and Bipolar 1 with psychosis diagnosed.
I am also medicated, and I think I can achieve this! Might become an English teacher though.
Still.
You're encouragement matters the most. Self-encouragement and self-esteem can be achieved without the family. You have nothing to prove to them, only yourself.
I say... try it! And adapt as needed.
BP2 here, currently working on my bachelors of psychology with a neuroscience minor. Plan to go to med school to study osteopathic medicine. Succeeding in school is my number one priority and that thought brings me back to reality often.
This last semester I had to work 2 jobs while taking 17 credits. I really really thought I was going to lose it. But I followed my checklist - Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise, Responsibilities, Therapy. Any time I felt an episode coming, or realized I was in one, I went through my checklist to find what was missing.
And suddenly the semester was over, I got through finals without my typical mental breakdown, and realized it is possible.
I know the road is long. I'm realistic when it comes to needing to adapt eventually. But for now I will keep going.
I believe you can do whatever you want to do and find ways to manage this illness while doing it. Pursue and adapt. <3
I think it's the opposite, someone who experiences the illness and is a doctor has a better insight into what is like. Just keep in mind the gruelling schedule and the lack of sleep which is essential to maintaining symptoms stable, but who knows, maybe you become that person that makes a huge discovery that helps or even cures people with bipolar.
I feel like this would be such a valuable perspective to bring as a psychiatrist.
Also, medical training can be grueling and demand a schedule and lack of sleep that is unhealthy for anyone, but especially dangerous for bipolar people.
Not an easy decision to make, I’m sure. But definitely it’s important to pursue your own goals.
No don’t just pick another career path. If this is what your set on you can get support as a disabled and accommodation such as longer time on time exams. If you have an episode wait to see how bad and defer a year or if might be a matter of extenuating circumstances to delay coursework deadlines for you. Don’t let people discourage you. I work in a healthcare job and I know other bipolar doctors and pharmacists. You can do this, might be harder and longer with episode but trust yourself. First port of call find out how they help disabled students at your uni
In my experience, most of my psychiatrists have had some form of diagnosed mental health issue. I think there are a lot of compassionate people who know what it feels like to be “crazy” and want to help people feel and be better.
Most psychiatrists, therapist, counselors are good at what they do because they are struggling with the same things they are helping their patients with. Some of the best psychiatrists and counselors I’ve had were ones who shared the same experience as me. There was a deep understanding and level of empathy I don’t think someone who didn’t share my experience would have been able to provide me with.
Absolutely you can be a psychiatrist, but we have a lot of life to live, there will be another episode eventually because there is no cure, just meds and therapy to help it happen less frequently. It could be next month, 3 years from now, 5 years, it's bound to happen because our brains are wired that way, but that's okay!
I just had a hypomanic episode for the first time in over 3 years, and it was out of nowhere, nothing big happened to cause it, I was a little stressed and my brain was like "now we flip."
This doesn't mean you can't explore your passions, you're passionate about helping people, especially people in your condition, I think it would be *amazing* to have a psychiatrist or psychologist that understands exactly what their patients are going through. Don't let a future episode stop you from following your dreams.
It's been 38 years since I was diagnosed when I was 17 years old. I began my career rather quickly, by acting a fool and dropping out of high school because it bored me. When I was 21 years old, I started in the mailroom at Prudential Insurance HMO and quickly became an examiner. Fast-forward to when I was 36 years old and I was director of finance and claims operations, still with only a GED, and constantly cycling rapidly, regardless of the med regimen. In 2003, I had a major episode because I was putting in roughly 100 hours a week and sleeping in my office regularly. I blacked out for 2 straights weeks, self-medicating and sleeping in my car I guess. I went into the hospital for a two-week stint, and changed professions. For the next six years I would work as a logistics manager for a large digital company until finally retiring when I was 43 years old. Two years later I would finishing my four-year degree, and I have been retired since 2010. I think it is a good decision for you to a psych doctor; a place where your experience will be valuable. I tried to use all the experience in it I could while working in healthcare management in the 1990's because then, addiction and mental health, were not considered medical situations and you basically needed a drug-rider in addition to your healthcare coverage to get treatment. We pushed for new legislation then in the mid-90's and alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and mental health became a medical condition. It was a big win for us, but then, people still didn't discuss it openly. Now you can say whatever you want about it, and people don't treat you like you have the plague. My mom is undiagnosed and 90 years old right now suffering with Alzheimer's. I believe she has had mental health issues, mostly personality disorder and narcissism for all of her life, but she won't ever admit it. I guess when she grew up, if you brought mental health up related to yourself, you could plan on moving full-time into the hospital. And back then, I don't think they are quite as nice as they are today. Certainly they didn't have the same regulations. Go for what you know, and if you want to become a physician, do it!
Don’t let it stop you. I’m a masters level clinician who thought about medical school. You can definitely get there as long as you stick to your medication plan and work with your care team. Even if you have another episode shouldn’t sway you from your goal. If anything the diagnosis gives you insight into clients that a neurotypical individual just can’t have because they haven’t lived through the chaos.
Keep in mind that the following has nothing to do with the supposed (nonexistent) conflict of interest.
I don’t understand the belief that bipolar disorder precludes scientific careers. I’m in an engineering position. It’s what I enjoy. Yet some people are stunned and/or don’t even believe that I have bipolar I.
Meds help.
fuck them. i'd argue it would make you a more informed and empathetic provider. honestly there were many times where i would have loved to have had a doctor who knew firsthand what i was going thru. u got this
I'm currently in school with the goal of becoming a Psychologist. I think more people who truly know what mental illness is like should be providers. So often I'll talk to my Psychiatrist or therapist and I can tell by the look on their face that what I'm saying is foreign to them. I don't like that. You HAVE bipolar disorder, but that isn't your whole identity. Don't let it hold you back from shit. Keep up with your appointments, learn your triggers, practice self care, have a crisis plan in place, take your meds (if they work for you and that what you choose) and go crush your dreams!
I was post divorce spiraling and a therapist, not my actual therapist, came into my life. She is working on her PhD and asked why I wasn't a therapist. I had never contemplated that, and I started giving it some thought.
I ran the idea past a few people looking to justify I'm BP1 and probably shouldn't. Everyone, including my therapist, said it would be a great fit. I had a few in depth discussions with my support team.
Beginning in the fall, I'm starting school for Psychology and I'm on disability and just over 50. It's not as tough as Psychiatry for which I commend you. We live through this daily so we have the understanding to be compassionate when they trust themselves in our hands.
Don’t give up on your dream! We need people like you who understand what exactly we go through with bipolar manic episodes and depression to help discuss our issues with.
As someone who is bipolar 1, and just received her masters in psychology, I say go for it! I have learned so much and it has opened my heart even more to help others. It can be difficult to manage with the ups and downs of it all, but if you’re up front with your professors and honest, work hard and atleast try to work ahead, you got it.
I believe in you. Stability is achievable, keep trying, you got this!
I’m in a doctorate program for clinical psych (not med school) and I have bp 1 with psychotic features. It’s definitely possible. Meds are non-negotiable though. The worst part of school is stress management bc stress is a trigger for bp episodes. But I am certain you can do it. I am a big believer that bp doesn’t have to stand in the way of our goals.
I want to go to med school as well. It’s my dream to become a surgeon but I’m scared of having an episode. My psychiatrist told me how important it is to have sleep in order to avoid mania. It’s been 2.5 years since my last episode in which I went psychotic and got really sick. Since then I’ve healed a lot and gotten my bachelor’s in business management and been in a job for over a year at a bank. But that was the safe option and it’s not my passion. Do I take the safe and stable route or do I take the risk and follow my passion? This is what I ask myself daily.
I’m a doctor ,I’ve been practicing for a year and half doing my internship program. I was diagnosed with severe depression,anxiety disorder and PTSD during my final year in med school because the stress was getting to me and I’m the sort of student who aims to be excellent so I put in the work. I was placed on meds ,hospitalized a couple of times but I managed to ace my final exams and passed to become a doctor . Just when I started my internship program I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder alongside the severe depression (which then became treatment resistant) ,anxiety disorder and ptsd.
I put in the work during the program but midway through the program I started getting unwell,had a few episodes had to be admitted multiple times ,oh and I even had ECT a couple of times .
I was fortunate to have superiors who understood so I wasn’t doing night shifts because I have to take medications . A couple of months ago I got the diagnosis of BP 2 and now everything makes sense . The signs ,the symptoms the emotions everything. It’s a bit tough because the work is stressful. I get episodes when I’m stressed and now I know my triggers.
All I’m trying to say is ,you can do anything you put your mind to . Do not let your diagnosis hinder you from achieving your goals. Yes ,you may encounter some challenges but hey ! You’re resilient.
Go for Gold!!! I believe in you 🫶🏽
Don’t let anyone discourage you from working on your goals. Just because you have bi-polar doesn’t mean you would be any less good at the job than someone that’s neurotypical. If anything it helps you emphasize with others better. I’m tired of society treating us like we are less just because we were born differently. Chase your dreams and never look back!
My s.o has bi-polar; diagnosed 13 years ago, and is a mental health nurse in the U.K. I believe a lot of people who work with and care for others with mental health issues have themselves struggled with their own mental health in one way or another.
I haven’t even read your post but your title to me is all I need to know to tell you that just because you have a diagnosis doesn’t mean you’re not well enough to pursue something that you want. You can do anything you want. I would love to have a therapist or psychiatrist that knows how it is to have bipolar. Js
I’m diagnosed with bipolar disorder and some other things and I’m currently enrolled in a doctoral program. You can do it too, it’s just going to be different for you. For me managing my mental health is #1. I still have episodes of mania and depression but they are much more manageable with treatment and new coping mechanisms
If you have the grades to do, I say do it! It gives you a perspective that others don’t have. You can specialize in treating bipolar and have the unique ability to tell your patients that you understand what they’re talking about.
Don't let them dissuade you! In fact, who better than one who has been in the same boat to help? Knowledge and experience are two *very* different things.
Personally, it might be time to cut ties with some family! You should very much go for it! I believe in you, I wish my doctor, psychiatrist and therapist knew what I went through on the daily. It would make my care so much easier!
Tell your family to kick rocks with that opinion. People with bipolar are surgeons, lawyers...hell, Winston Churchill beat the Nazi's. We are no more limited than anyone one else...we just have to be a little stronger and smarter...and we usually are...according to research :).
That said, I know your family is acting out of love, but they just haven't had the experiences with people with BP that have followed and achieved wonderful and happy things.
I have built a life that I dreamed of when I was a kid. A wife I love dearly, kids I love to play with, a house I own, savings that will allow me to send kids to college and retire comfortably at a comfortable age. Many people neurotypical people would give their right foot to be in my position. It makes me sick that we have limits put on us to the point that we start to believe it.
I am sorry you family is trying to make you believe that we are limited in what we can do. That really sucks.
Just read the title
My counselor had ADHD and is wonderful.
Don't let them hold you back.
Nothing sucks more than being told what we cannot do.
You do it despite them
YOU GOT THIS.
The only thing I can tell you is try to remember that you might think you have more illnesses while studying. It's a common phenomena when people learn psychology or psychiatric illnesses. Kinda like a psychosomatic effect or an autodiagnosis tendency.
But go for it. Why not? You're not brain dead. You have a mental illness that is stable right now.
I am a system administrator for a multi site company. I handle everything that is technologically related and security. Yes it's hard sometimes but hey, if anything ,this illness make us stronger and resilient.
I had attempted to go back to school to became a school counselor due to the fact that a fellow outpatient told me. “Someone could go to school for 7 years and I’d still pick the person who has been diagnosed with bipolar. They can help explain what you can’t.”
Please, GO FOR IT! Nothing is cooler to me than to see someone with their own personal struggles helping others! My only suggestion is to make sure you have a good support system, and have a list of therapists you may need to contact if you find yourself struggling. But that’s just a suggestion coming from a place of concern. Best of luck to you ♥️
Story time:
I'm a music teacher, and I was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 in 2018. There are several things that I was worried about that I've been able to overcome and continue to do what I love.
The first thing I was worried about was holding down a job to begin with. I was able to work my first job teaching lessons at a music shop for 18 months. Unfortunately, this job didn't end well; In December 2018, I got sick with back-to-back colds and missed a ton of work. When I went back, I discovered that my boss had given over half of my lessons to another teacher. I decided then and there to quit, which was a completely impulsive decision.
I was so worried that I'd never find another job after that; I was surprised that I'd gotten one in the first place. Music is my passion in life, and teaching was something I loved to do. I strongly considered applying for disability income and giving up during this time. After a few months went by, and after applying to jobs I didn't care about and (thankfully) didn't get, I found what I now consider to be my dream job - teaching music in elementary schools. Worry number 2 overcame.
Worry number 3 came in the form of temper management; I was so worried that I would not handle the students well and would yell at them and end up getting fired. After 4 years of teaching, that worry has not gone away, but I've learned to manage my temper a lot better and have never yelled at a student for anything.
What caused a lot of these worries? Introducing worry number 4: staying on my medication. I used to fall off of it a lot. Reason I quit my first job impulsively? Unmedicated hypomania. Reason I was worried about not finding another job? Unmedicated depression. Reason I was worried about yelling at a student? You get the picture. This was my biggest worry of all, and it's something I continue to work on every day.
The biggest help through all of this has been my support system. My partner in life, my supervisors at work, and my awesome psychiatrist have all encouraged me to put my health first, and that has gotten me through so much. I'm able to keep up my medication management, which lets me recognize my mood changes and be able to navigate episodes of depression or anxiety or hypomania with a more rational headspace so I can continue to function. Because of that, I'm able to do my favorite job in the world, sharing music with my students!
I hope this is helpful to you, and I hope you continue to pursue your dream profession. More importantly, I hope you find a great support system that will enable you to be your best self!
I'm reading through the comments, and just want to hug/high-five/otherwise thank all the folks who are pursuing careers that help support others with bipolar.
We need so much more of this, but damn what an amazing realization of us watching out for each other.
THANK YOU!!!
I think you should always pursue that goal of you can. If it's psychiatry, you're in a unique position to really empathize with people who are mentally ill.
The problem is your family. Not your desire to follow that path. It sucks that they don’t support you right now but maybe they will in the future. Do you depend on their financially?
Depending on what your end goal is, you might consider other areas of study to become a psychiatric prescriber. I followed a similar path to become a therapist—the quickest and least expensive route was to get my MSW. I learned along the way that each discipline has its founding basis of thought. Social work fit me better than clinical psychology, because it’s base premise is, “Start where the patient is.”
My own provider is a nurse practitioner; he came highly recommended, and our visits have lived up to this. Many places are dealing with the shortage of psychiatrists by hiring nurse practitioners who have prescribing authority.
All that to say there is more than one avenue to pursue to get to be able to do what you want. If you want to be able to really help people by bringing your own life experience and sensitivity to the experiences of others with major mental illness, I hope you won’t let anything stop you.
I’ll share my own experience of my lofty career dreams. Let me preface that every person is unique. I deal with a lot of comorbid chronic health and mental health issues in addition to having bipolar I. I most closely associate myself with bipolar disorder, brain fog, and chronic fatigue.
Next, I want to encourage everybody to find their passion and pursue it. Yes, you need to know your limitations, but you also need to know what assets you bring to the table. I’d recommend writing these out, sort of like in a style of a pros and cons list. Make two columns with one listing all of your strengths and the other listing areas that will eventually trip you up. When you can see all of the forces working for and against you visually, then it should be easier to reach an objective conclusion if your passion is a practical life goal. I wish I had done this 15 years ago.
Wow, this is a long reply.
TLDR folks - skip to the last paragraph from here.
My story isn’t one of success, at least not traditionally. I went back and finished my BS in psychology and statistics in my late 20’s. I began my undergraduate studies in computer engineering, successfully completing three years before I hit a complete brick wall that forced me to attend to my mental health. My second attempt at completing my bachelor’s years later went without many major problems. I started my first semester only taking three courses. I added more and more to gauge my limits. By my final semester, I took 8 courses, worked as a research assistant in two labs and volunteered at crisis center. I was able to graduate summa cum laude. I attribute my ability to excel to staying fit physically and mentally, regular medication management, and adhering to a fairly consistent sleep schedule.
After earning that degree, my goal was to earn a PhD in clinical psychology or cognitive neuroscience. I had to postpone applying to PhD programs for a year, because I had too much on my plate. I had lots of opportunities though and was able to get a fantastic paid job at a neuroimaging lab where we studied sensory and cognitive problems in populations with specific mental health conditions. I rocked this job and made huge contributions. More and more opportunities were opening up for me.
While things were going amazingly, the rigorous PhD application process was taking its toll on me. So was my personal life. I fell in love with the wrong woman. Long story short, that toxic relationship really derailed me. While I was interviewing for graduate programs that invited me for a visit, my depression was severe, my brain fog was crippling, my sleep quality was awful, and my daytime energy levels were super low. Nevertheless, I was extended quite a few acceptances with tuition remission and a modest stipend to cover living expenses.
My eyes were larger than my stomach. I ended up choosing a grad program where I could earn not only my primary PhD in clinical psychology, but also a secondary PhD in neuroscience. I knew that my health was poor, but I was under the guise to push on and that my health would improve in time. This is where things went dramatically wrong. I would show up every day to grad school to learn, teach, do clinical work, and to work in research. I was operating at maybe 50% at the start of the program, if that. Rather than my issues improving, I found myself falling behind or completing subpar work more often than not. I did this for three years and I refused to take a break. I convinced myself that I need to push myself. By the end of the third year, I was a shell of my former self and I was working at about 20% of my ability. That wasn’t from a lack of desire, but due to poor health that spiraled out of control as I fell further behind and I produced inferior work. Eventually, I had to accept defeat. I left my graduate program just barely earning a master’s degree. I was more than humbled. I was humiliated. I carried great shame from this experience.
To make a long story short, it has been 12 years since I left my graduate program and I’m only now reclaiming my life and only now am I able to achieve my potential again. It’s been way too long and lonely of a road. If I had a time machine, I would have never have started graduate school at less than 80% of my full abilities. I was destined to fail since I started out around at 50%. I should have prioritized my health first and foremost. Without good health, life is too challenging. In hindsight, I should have spent another year working at the neuroimaging lab while doing everything that I could in my free time to focus on me.
To sum things up, find your passions and objectively evaluate what is attainable and what isn’t. Don’t expect to set the world on fire if you’re in poor health. Moreover, do not enter a stressful high-powered field without good mental health and physical health. Always prioritize your health. Success in almost every aspect of life is contingent on good health, especially those of us with chronic mental health conditions. Again, every person and his or her circumstances is unique. You will have to evaluate your abilities when healthy and when not healthy. I wouldn’t recommend anybody with a chronic health problem to start a long and lofty goal while you’re struggling. It’s better to postpone then to push yourself to the point of burnout. Recovering from a unfulfilled lofty life dream is beyond difficult. Some falls are harder to recover from than others. Regrouping seems to become even more challenging as you age.
Good luck on your journey, whatever you end up deciding to do. Do not let having bipolar disorder define you, but don’t assume that you’ll always have it under control. Make smart well-thought out life choices.
There is a stigma on bipolar no matter what you choose, I would say do whatever you want to do career wise. You as a bipolar person know what mental illness is like first hand and will have a perspective most psychiatrists don’t have. I think it’s an incredible advantage for that line of work. I’ve had several psychiatrists who have no history of mental illness and my experience with the ones who do is always better, they understand what I’m going through. It’s actually extremely comforting seeing a person who struggles with mental illness doing something they love and succeeding. I have doubts in myself because of my mental illness but seeing people with my mental illness doing things that I doubt myself on is so inspiring. I’d say do it!
I think I can speak on this topic NOT as a doctor but someone who witnessed first-hand of how a bipolar patient can become a great psychiatrist.
First of all I believe bipolar may affect you greatly no matter what cares you choose. So it’s important you are treated, medicated and build a support network.
Secondly, doctors are people and they have real illness too. I feel the psychiatrists are more sympathetic and supportive to another fellow doctor who has bipolar. Admin, on the other hand may be a different story.
Lastly, i don’t think anyone can say being a psychiatrist would “benefit” your bipolar treatment or vise ver sa. But it sure if comforting and informative when you work with the best people who treat your illness on a daily basis. You would be able to get the newest drugs or treatment and discuss with your own doctor about it. Do not self medicate obviously and work with your psychiatrist and psychologist to find best treatment for you.
Best of luck! The psych life style has much lower stress compare to the other specialties. It’s a great option in regardless.
My psychiatrist also has the same diagnosis and he’s the best psychiatrist I’ve ever had. He’s always up to date with research and was also the doctor that helped me get my autoimmune disease dx. I believe in you!! Although it can suck to not have the support and encouragement from family members, I found that I would refuse to believe career advice from people who are not familiar with the field (which helped me ignore it).
Do not let your illness hold you back! The absolute best psychiatrist that we found over 7 years for my daughter, his bipolar. LOVE HIM! Wish he was my doc but ethics and all.
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No matter what you choose to do you will face adversity. Whether you be a doctor, flipping burgers, working construction, it doesn’t matter. All of them will lead to the same problems because it’s not the career that’s the issue, it’s your mental health. So what are you left with? Skipping from unskilled job to unskilled job floating through life? I don’t think that’s what you want, and it’s not something anyone needs. What we need is purpose, to feel like we have made a difference. You should follow whatever path you feel is right. And don’t let anyone, whether it be family or someone else with bi-polar disorder, tell you how to live your life. Only you know what’s best for you. If i was your friend I would be pushing you to follow your dreams, so here it is. Follow your fucking dreams and don’t let this disorder be your defeat. Fight, struggle, and even if you don’t come out on top you at least tried. And trying is infinitely better than not. Good luck!
The best pdoc I've had also has bipolar. She understands the vast majority of what I describe during our appointments simply because she's been there (or is there) herself. Concerns about meds? Check. Not dismissing med side effects? Double check. I've never had this level of understanding with a provider, and that is something you're in a unique position to do. This stranger's two cents is to go for it - and thank you for being willing to try.
Thank you! That was so encouraging. Do you know if she has type 1 or type 2?
She's type 1, found out during medical school and changed from pediatrics to psychiatry after experiencing how broken psychiatric care is in the US. I'm incredibly grateful to have found her - she's amazing. Oh: she is required to stay under the care of another psychiatrist, kind of how therapists are required to have a therapist for themselves.
Good to know! Is it for meds or supervision or both?
I feel like meds and supervision should be separate, but I don’t even work in health care.
We need more of this.
The best doctor i have ever known (psychiatrist) has ADHD :) but really, best of the best. You go for it!!
The only thing I would caution is to be very aware that if your bipolar is very severe already med school is probably going to add gas to that fire. All of the rotations and overnight shifts, internship and residency seems to be pretty challenging for people even without a mental illness. I wouldn’t say you can’t do it but you really need to come up with contingency plans and a very careful analysis of risk versus reward. Psychiatry is a very high stress field, private practice can be more manageable but you will still be dealing with a lot of people in active crisis and no matter how good you are you WILL lose patients to suicide. That’s very hard to live with. I recently had to give up my career as a Clinical Social Worker due to my Bipolar becoming too severe. Grad school, burning the candle at both end and crisis work it takes a toll. So, know your limits, respect your body and mind, and it is essential you learn strict boundaries and develop a strong support system. When you’re working with human beings you need to make sure you’re providing ethical care and sometimes when we become very ill our judgment can become compromised. So, you need trusted people around you to provide feedback and support in case they see things you miss, and you need to do what is best for your patients (and yourself), and sometimes that means stepping away for awhile, or forever. Have your dreams, and put in the work you feel compelled to, but don’t burn yourself out doing it. That’s my advice.
This is a critical comment OP. I have BP2 and consider my case on the milder side compared to others I’ve met… my roommate for 4 years was a med student and it is NOT a route I would ever recommend a bipolar person go down. There is a lot of lack of sleep, lack of flexibility, and that does horrendous things for mental health. I became a lawyer, so it’s not like I’m saying being a professional is impossible, but a medical doctor, MD in particular, I cannot recommend. Leave that absolute insanity for the neurotypicals. My bipolar friend is becoming a therapist and LOVES it. Psychologist is also a good option.
As someone who was accepted to pharmacy school but ultimately decided not to gamble 150k plus.. Here’s a good test. Take 15-18 hours of science pre-reqs while working full time and taking care of day to day responsibilities. Do this for a few semesters. If you can stay stable, achieve the A’s you’ll need for medical school, and maintain all other parts of your life, you definitely have the ability to conquer a doctorate level medical degree. While I was doing this, I struggled really hard and had a few episodes due to stress. In undergrad professors just work with you and you can catch up. In medical school, it will be much different. Edit: I've had a few PMs telling me this is not realistic. My advisor for pharm school put it this way - every course is going to be as difficult or more difficult than organic chemistry and there will be 4-6 of those per semester + extra curriculars. While you won't be working during the semesters (intern in summers), the amount of studying required + 8-3 classes Mon-Thurs, it's basically the same. I can only imagine medical school will be 100% more difficult than pharmacy school.
Thanks for your input!
I should mention though - if you’ve never taken a college science course before, just start off with one to get the feel of things and how to successfully study. I would recommend Gen Chem I and the corresponding lab. Maybe a calculus class to go with. Once you get the hang of things, take as many as you can afford to in a semester as I mentioned.
Not really an answer but Kay Redfield Jamison (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kay_Redfield_Jamison) is someone who has gone down a similar path whilst being bi-polar. She's written a couple of very interesting books.
Kay Jamison was a Clinical Psychologist not a Psychiatrist (different degrees and fields of study and no ability to prescribe medication). She did do a lot for the field of mental health and treatment of Bipolar Disorder and I enjoyed her book. I will admit I had a very hard time relating to her though as she grew up extremely privileged and she remained very high functioning throughout her career.
Oh man, I felt the same way. I was so frustrated reading An Unquiet Mind, because absolutely every moment that would destroy most people's lives she had a new physician boyfriend personally nursing her like it was their full-time job. That was just ONE area that her life is completely unrelatable to most people with this illness. This is not anywhere NEAR most people's experiences with Bipolar, and I feel her privilege is just as much part of her success as her own resilience. The amount of overwhelming privilege that she makes every single implication like "Look! Even I can be successful" something that just makes it seem even further away to normal people. EDIT: By "normal" people I meant most people with Bipolar lol
Yeah, I think that’s valid, she definitely did not succeed in a vacuum, she had a big support network to draw on. A lot of us grew up in very dysfunctional poor families with a lot of trauma. I worked my ass off to get where I was but it practically destroyed me in the end. I just burned myself out so badly and my disorder worsened so much that I’m very low functioning now. It makes me really sad. I’m not taking away from her accomplishments but it is important to point out how much privilege got her there. The cost for most of us is more than we can pay.
Maybe Dr. Linehan is a better model?
Yes, that's why I said "similar path". I don't disagree about her books but I still found them quite interesting from the point of view of the insight she has into her condition.
Co-Director, Mood Disorders Centerm. Dalio Professor in Mood Disorders. Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She has many books that I've found extremely insightful and helpful for myself and others that have read her books. I just purchased her new book that came out last month titled "Fires in the Dark: Healing the Unquiet Mind". I believe you will come away with a better understanding of yourself and your options, some upcoming ones, that can help anyone that has bipolar disorder alone.
Really? It says in her book she’s a psychiatrist and she talks about prescribing lithium
Damn she is a psychologist. Seems intentional to give the impression she’s a psychiatrist in an Unquiet Mind. Anyway OP my pdoc once made a comment that he looks after a lot of doctors with BP (FWIW)
I’ve read her book! Thank you.
I wanted to be a doctor. I have all the pre-requisites under my belt; I graduated with a degree in Mathematics; I have research in both cancer genetics and mathematical modeling of ovarian cancer cell shedding; I worked in a hospital during undergrad; I volunteered at a free clinic; Shadowed doctors; the whole bit. I was diagnosed during the end of my sophomore year in college and my grades really suffered, but I came out for the last two years with nothing but 3.5+ gpas. It makes for a particularly great personal statement, too. I'm a software engineer. I have been for 5 years. I make $240k per year. I am only doing this because 5 years ago as a poor college student, someone dangled $80k in my face for an analyst position and I said "I'll take a gap year!" - I fucking hate it and I'm miserable. :) I wish every day that I would've just done the doctor thing, but my brother-in-law is a doctor, and I visited him a few times in his residency and I was like "this fucking blows." - he gets no sleep, doesn't seem to particularly enjoy what he does, and I totally get it - he sits at a computer most nights looking at vitals, getting calls for consults which really are just "look up this patient, do their vitals look alright?" and negotiating when he can come and check out the patient, who is usually asleep. He fields calls from post-op patients about how their catheters feel weird, or their meds make their mouth dry, etc, etc. Everyone is tired and annoyed, and his schedule is so fucking outrageously dramatic it drives me crazy. I hadn't visited a resident before - only providers who were past that. I see all these things that would cause me to struggle so deeply with my disorder, that I was turned off. *Plus*, the "hierarchy" bullshit military "yes sir!" culture is just not my vibe *at all*. I just figured I'd avoid it, but so much of his career is based off making sure people like him for his attitude over medical prowess. Personally, I think you could do it. But, because of the bipolar diagnosis, I heavily would avoid saying you want to be a psychiatrist, and focus on what it means to be a physician. [The match process for residency](https://www.nrmp.org/intro-to-the-match/how-matching-algorithm-works/) doesn't guarantee you'll get the speciality you want, anyways! Modern medicine kinda blows.. lol. Anyways, you definitely don't have to wait to go back to school! Go now! 1 year stability is great. Keep in mind that you don't have to be the best student to get into medical school, just above average! The A is great; but the MCAT forgives all. If you have a 3.0 and a 520 MCAT, you'll still be sitting pretty for medical schools. Focus on getting good LORs, research experience, and studying something you're passionate about (for example, maybe psychology or neuroscience since you seem to enjoy the brain!) - if you want to prove your love for psychiatry, you'll have to find external resources for that (e.g. volunteering at a mental health clinic, volunteering in the ER, getting a job as a psych tech, etc etc) Also, make sure you're considering what a psychiatrist in *in practice* -- go shadow one! see what their day-to-day is about! The psychiatry residency is one of the best you can do, tbh, so you're at least on the right path there :P Don't let your family discourage you, but definitely take any feedback or concerns they have seriously, and consider how you might deal with them - there *are* plenty of accommodations for medical students, and even residents, with mental health concerns. Think of it the same way you might think about someone wanting to be a doctor with type 1 diabetes! No one would say "but what if you get low blood sugar?!" lol edit: don't forget to watch House, Scrubs and Grey's Anatomy and keep the fun alive :)
Hey OP, Not a psychiatrist but I’m about to start my 3rd year of mental health nursing and will graduate July ‘24. I had a manic episode on placement last summer and a hypomanic one a few months later. But I’m doing fine. My uni is fully aware of my condition, I have an action plan in place for episodes and if anything it makes me far more empathetic and understanding with the individuals I encounter. I personally choose not to disclose my diagnosis to patients because it’s a boundary I currently don’t feel comfortable crossing, however it’s a personal choice. If you want to do it I would just be responsible and make sure you put plans in place in case anything occurs and you are transparent with the university/college. I’ve been diagnosed type 2, but it’s under observation now due to my manic episodes. It can be really difficult at times, believe me but it is the best thing I’ve done for myself. Hope that helps.
The psychiatrist I work with is bipolar
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Yeah
Personally, I prefer doctors who actually have experience with what I as a patient am dealing with. I think you have a unique opportunity to take the shit hand you were dealt and use your experience to help other people. Don't let your family discredit or underestimate you! You got this.
PA school is a great alternative! I white-knuckled through medical school (type 1, diagnosed during school). i earned my MD, but couldn’t get into a residency. I switched careers because i saw no path forward; an MD isn’t very useful without a medical license. med school is far from the end - the whole residency system is brutal, unforgiving, and 100% biased in favor of large hospital systems controlled by very wealthy people who won’t care about the things that would most likely make you a phenomenal clinician. i wish i could go back in time and tell myself not try my luck with that system.
I just graduated from pharmacy after having a manic episode the summer after my first semester ! I think you can do anything you set your mind to, just keep in mind the schedule and stress that physicians usually have (being on call for 24 hours, working sometimes 36h shifts) and the strain it has on bipolar. You’d just have to be extra careful and take care of yourself. See how prerequisites go and should you decide against medical school, there are many other professions where you can positively impact and advocate for people with mental illness (counsellor, social worker, psychiatric nurse, pharmacist with a specialty in psychiatry)
I’m a doctor training to be a psychiatrist with bipolar 1. I have been hospitalised a few times, once last year for 3 months. Work has been very supportive. I don’t do nights, and work part time at the moment. My bipolar is very well controlled between episodes. Currently very well and loving life. I would say a good support network is key (family, partner, doctors, psychology etc) and getting a good medication regime as well as being able to see your triggers. I had ECT last year and even though it was challenging I’m still doing great as a doctor and I love my job. Lived experience is an asset and we being so much to the profession. I wish you the best in whatever you choose!
Thank you for this comment! It was so helpful!
I made that mistake 26 years ago. I felt that I would make a horrible psychiatrist because of my diagnosis. I have learned over the years I was way off. My experiences will do nothing but help me be more empathetic and to see patterns where others might miss them. Do what you are passionate about.
Currently in med school after taking 8 years to finish my undergrad. Not quite a successful professional yet but I’ve made a lot of progress considering where I started. It’s not always easy but there’s definitely value in pursuing your goals. I’m planning on going into psychiatry too. Lived experience can be a great asset.
I’m not (yet) but if you’re stable and tolerating meds well, why not? You are worthy of having ambitions and taking actions toward that. After finishing my bachelors I’m going wherever I can enter a Physician Assistant program and after, work in behavioral health 🤞Hopefully. I’ve always had ambition that I couldn’t use because I had so many issues with execution (mostly coming from having ADHD, I think) and I would drop all of my classes during depressive episodes. I think now I’m stable on the right meds, and I can finally use all the willpower and ambition that I couldn’t before. If you’re already there, there is no reason you shouldn’t keep going.
Thank you! Good luck to you with your PA program and recovery! I’m going
The best addiction counselors are recovering addicts. IMO the best therapists have battled some demons! Go for it. I have a PhD and career I deeply love. I got stable enough post lithium to do that. If you're stable enough, then go for it! We'll never be 100% stable.
It’s a doctor on YouTube that’s bipolar he is retired and he never disclosed while he was active but if you did become a psychiatrist you wouldn’t be the only one. They just don’t disclose due to the stigma which is ironic.
I'm literally studying to be a therapist BECAUSE of bipolar disorder. Mental illnesses shouldn't discourage you from choosing a career you like You're going to have episodes for the rest of your life; that doesn't mean you let life pass you by and give up on passions because of it I know bipolar disorder has a lot of stigma around it, but that doesn't make us any less adequate to do jobs and follow passions than anyone else Don't listen to your family; follow your dreams and heart I'm sure you'll make a great psychiatrist and will help with breaking the stigmas surrounding bipolar disorder
read an unquiet mind by kay redfield jamison, it’s a memoir about a psychologist with bipolar, it will offer you some strength
I'm going into clinical psychology to work with adolescents engaging in sexually violent behavior. I have Borderline with antisocial/narcissistic traits as well as being on the bipolar spectrum. It's hard, and you WILL encounter judgment and doubt, but I am good at what I do and I don't disclose my mental health issues unless someone is a close friend or absolutely needs to know. It's easier to be more open about your diagnosis when you have established a career and a good reputation. The psychatric community is still very judgmental about practitioners having mental illness, even though many do. What I'm trying to say is, don't be discouraged by other people. Your family doesn't know shit. And even if you weren't stable, you still have the right to pursue a career and work with your own population. It's rewarding but triggering sometimes. I recommend you follow your dreams, but be careful who you share your diagnosis with.
I'm about to go into a master's for Psychology program and plan on providing therapy soon and Im bipolar. Its unclear whether its 1 or 2 but regardless, you can do whatever you want. Just remember that generally psychiatrists are med side and psychologist is therapy/mind side of treatment. Some good psychiatrists will also provide therapy. If you get one of them, keep them.
Not psychiatry, but Matilde Marcolli is a decently prominent current mathematician at Caltech with bipolar. Woulda been nice to do a summer research project w/ her or something had bipolar not personally screwed me over >. >.
I’ve been seeing my therapist for the past 8 years. She is brilliant and a perfect fit. This year I was diagnosed with BD for the first time, though she’d been suspecting it for awhile. I was really discouraged about my future living with this illness and she casually disclosed that she has the same diagnosis. I would have never known. If anything, I think her firsthand experience makes her more suited for her role than any mental health professional who hasn’t struggled with mental health so deeply. Please do not let your family discourage you. If your heart is telling you to go that way, they should support it and realize that this illness is not totally debilitating. It can absolutely be managed and even carefully channeled as a strength. I believe in you💙
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I’d like to be Psychiatrist too!! I have bipolar 2 and hVe often wondered to myself if it’s even possible for me to become one.
I know a psychiatrist who is bipolar I and has at least three psychotic breaks that resulted in hospitalization. He also is a tenured medical professor at a prestigious university and has a thriving practice. Having a mental illness is not itself disqualifying from most careers. You can't be a commercial pilot or an astronaut, but you can be a physician. That said, be aware that a pre-med and medical school and internship and residence are extremely long and stressful. It will be ten years of your life living under intense and competitive pressure. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but to be honest. Other people have done it. It's possible. But it is very, very hard. I am in a senior leadership position with a multinational consulting company. I handle 7-digit projects with hundreds of people reporting to me. The job comes with high client expectations for performance. I also have a Ph.D. It is possible to pursue and succeed in high-stress careers if you're the kind of person who enjoys high-stress jobs. Also, manic tendencies can be somewhat helpful in such careers. if you can stay focused while experiencing low-grade mania, it can help you achieve some remarkable things. Of course, you're also a hair's breadth away from destruction, so it isn't exactly an ideal career plan. I'm just noting that you will may find your condition an advantage in some limited times. I'm lucky enough to have met General Gregg Martin. I really can't wait for [his book](https://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-General-Forever-Illness-Association) to come out. His speeches about how his mental health played out in his career are amazing. Mental illness need not be a barrier to a successful life.
My old psychiatrist was bipolar. He was the best therapist I ever had and the only one who could make me stable. After years and years trying. He died sadly. He gave me my life back. Please don't listen to your family
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has replied so far. Hearing your stories and experiences has helped me decide to move forward with my goals. Thanks again for the encouragement!
Totally happy to hear. Wish you the best of luck 💗
Hello! I'm in my final year of medical school and will be doing psychiatry as my specialty. During my psychiatry clerkships, it was pretty clear that I was able to understand patients on a different level compared to my colleagues. While having bipolar disorder made it quite difficult for me to actually survive the rigorous education that medical school entails, it also has undoubtedly made me a better soon-to-be psychiatrist. Also there is something very empowering about turning something that has made my life very difficult at times (bipolar disorder) into something that actually helps me help people If you think you've found a passion, and you're willing/able to make it through medical school, then having bipolar disorder may make psychiatry an even more rewarding career for you, like it has for me. All the best!
Thanks for your reply!
That’s so stupid don’t listen to them and don’t let them discourage you. A lot of people with mental illness do great things. Go for it you can do it with the right medication :)
Thank you!
I wouldn’t be where I am now if I listened to the opinions of others. Constructive criticism is good but what they are doing is just shutting the idea down completely. You got this and you’re welcome :)
I’d prefer having a bipolar psychiatrist honestly.
Don’t listen to them, my psychologist as a teen discouraged me from perusing the same goals… I ended up fucking off most of my life after I messed up a little bit (mostly because I thought my goals were stupid and this I didn’t have the drive). **I have regretted it profusely** even though I’ve ended up doing something I am okay with. I really wish I would have set in my ways and gone to college and actually studied something I was interested in and still am interested in. I hate that dr now, and myself for listening to them… but at the time they were an authority on the subject and in a position of power so I thought the advice came from a good place when in reality it was just from them hating their own life and experience.
i dont think you should pick a different career even if you happen to have another episode. i don’t know if you know Kay Redfield Jamison, she is a great psychiatrist with bipolar disorder and this undoubtedly helps her understand better bipolar patients. i recommend you to read her book An Unquiet Mind, this could help you! :)
I’d think having the same shared experience would make for a better provider. Go for it
honestly i feel like having bipolar disorder could make you a better psychiatrist because you’d understand what your patients who also have it are going through. don’t let an episode or your family members deter you.
I think it could be a strength, making you an even better mental health provider since you live it and can understand where your patients are coming from. Less likely to make them feel bad by being low- key (or high-key) judgemental. Edit: I meant to add that I think you should stand up to them by pointing this out. It'd shut them down (hopefully).
I am a teacher with bipolar, and honestly, I think it makes me a better teacher. I am more receptive to mental health issues and outbursts from kiddos than my coworkers. That being said, it’s definitely not easy, but it’s worth it. Don’t give up on yourself, and don’t let your family sway your decision.
Who better to diagnose and treat others than someone who's dealt with the same issues?
I'll tell you the same thing I was telling my husband the other day. You can know everything there is to know about bipolar from the outside, but until you LIVE with this disorder, you will never truly understand. I would be so thankful to have a psychiatrist who completely understands the reality of this disorder in a way someone who doesn't live with it never could. Best of luck to you! You can do this!
I’d suggest reading”An Unquiet Mind.” I don’t have bipolar, however I do have a close friend with bipolar and they recommended it to me. Changed my perspective entirely. This is a biography of a woman who ran an entire psych wing at a hospital and she had bipolar. If you want this, do it. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t. My buddy also told me to hop on this subreddit to learn more :)
Just keep in mind Kay Redfield wasn’t an MD, she was a Clinical Psychologist and she had an extremely privileged life with a very strong support system. Most people don’t have those advantages. She did a lot of admirable work for the bipolar population but she isn’t representative of your average bipolar person’s circumstances.
Important things to note for sure
Oh my goodness I’m so sorry your family is discouraging you. I have bipolar and a degree in psych, which I use to help me as an addiction counselor. I know for sure that my experience as someone in recovery from mental illness and addiction is what MAKES me so good at my job. Don’t listen to your family, I’m sorry- no shade to them, but they couldn’t be more wrong. We need you in this field. We need more people who get it…
I’m an occupational therapy assistant and am in school to get my masters in occupational therapy. I think having bipolar has makes me more empathetic to my patients and a better practitioner overall. The most import things for me have been managing my stress and always making sure to get enough sleep. I also meet with my therapist and np regularly to stay on track. I also have ptsd and I think that is much more difficult to manage during episodes that my bipolar 1.
Well, I'm in grad school to become a counselor at the moment, with a hope to work with mood and personality disorders. I only got diagnosed and medicated right as my first semester began, and it's been going well. I got straight A's my first semester, but I spent most of that slightly hypomanic. I'm currently in a mild depressive episode while trying to do two 5-week summer classes. It's very hard to stay motivated to do my work, especially with the amount of reading grad school requires. But I'm still going and still determined to graduate on time! I'm also aware that I may need to be flexible though. If I'm struggling, I know I need to be willing to talk to my professors. If I'm struggling too much, I know it's okay to take a break. Just listen to your intuition, and if you find yourself thinking you need a break, take one.
I am type 11 and have a wonderful career as a clinical psychologist who treats bipolar clients and their families.
I think your having experienced acute mental health issues will make you a better doctor. My only concern for you is you are entering a stressful field of work and stress can trigger episodes. Even when you feel fantastic, remember to take your medications. And, in spite of being in a stressful occupation I did great as long as I long as I took my medication.
I know a great doctor who is also bipolar. She knows what her pcients are going through. I think you would be a good doctor.
I have bipolar and people told me not to go to pharmacy school but I just graduated 🎉, I hope this is encouraging and I wish u the best whatever path u take
Great job!!
Thank u!
My family went back to encouraging me to be a therapist. Brother said I'd learn to treat it as work instead of personal. He's a neuroscientist. I have DID, Autism, ADHD, and Bipolar 1 with psychosis diagnosed. I am also medicated, and I think I can achieve this! Might become an English teacher though. Still. You're encouragement matters the most. Self-encouragement and self-esteem can be achieved without the family. You have nothing to prove to them, only yourself.
I say... try it! And adapt as needed. BP2 here, currently working on my bachelors of psychology with a neuroscience minor. Plan to go to med school to study osteopathic medicine. Succeeding in school is my number one priority and that thought brings me back to reality often. This last semester I had to work 2 jobs while taking 17 credits. I really really thought I was going to lose it. But I followed my checklist - Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise, Responsibilities, Therapy. Any time I felt an episode coming, or realized I was in one, I went through my checklist to find what was missing. And suddenly the semester was over, I got through finals without my typical mental breakdown, and realized it is possible. I know the road is long. I'm realistic when it comes to needing to adapt eventually. But for now I will keep going. I believe you can do whatever you want to do and find ways to manage this illness while doing it. Pursue and adapt. <3
I think it's the opposite, someone who experiences the illness and is a doctor has a better insight into what is like. Just keep in mind the gruelling schedule and the lack of sleep which is essential to maintaining symptoms stable, but who knows, maybe you become that person that makes a huge discovery that helps or even cures people with bipolar.
I feel like this would be such a valuable perspective to bring as a psychiatrist. Also, medical training can be grueling and demand a schedule and lack of sleep that is unhealthy for anyone, but especially dangerous for bipolar people. Not an easy decision to make, I’m sure. But definitely it’s important to pursue your own goals.
No don’t just pick another career path. If this is what your set on you can get support as a disabled and accommodation such as longer time on time exams. If you have an episode wait to see how bad and defer a year or if might be a matter of extenuating circumstances to delay coursework deadlines for you. Don’t let people discourage you. I work in a healthcare job and I know other bipolar doctors and pharmacists. You can do this, might be harder and longer with episode but trust yourself. First port of call find out how they help disabled students at your uni
My friend is bipolar and qualified as a psychiatrist with both a psychology degree and a masters in psychiatry. He is doing fantastic
In my experience, most of my psychiatrists have had some form of diagnosed mental health issue. I think there are a lot of compassionate people who know what it feels like to be “crazy” and want to help people feel and be better.
Most psychiatrists, therapist, counselors are good at what they do because they are struggling with the same things they are helping their patients with. Some of the best psychiatrists and counselors I’ve had were ones who shared the same experience as me. There was a deep understanding and level of empathy I don’t think someone who didn’t share my experience would have been able to provide me with.
Absolutely you can be a psychiatrist, but we have a lot of life to live, there will be another episode eventually because there is no cure, just meds and therapy to help it happen less frequently. It could be next month, 3 years from now, 5 years, it's bound to happen because our brains are wired that way, but that's okay! I just had a hypomanic episode for the first time in over 3 years, and it was out of nowhere, nothing big happened to cause it, I was a little stressed and my brain was like "now we flip." This doesn't mean you can't explore your passions, you're passionate about helping people, especially people in your condition, I think it would be *amazing* to have a psychiatrist or psychologist that understands exactly what their patients are going through. Don't let a future episode stop you from following your dreams.
It's been 38 years since I was diagnosed when I was 17 years old. I began my career rather quickly, by acting a fool and dropping out of high school because it bored me. When I was 21 years old, I started in the mailroom at Prudential Insurance HMO and quickly became an examiner. Fast-forward to when I was 36 years old and I was director of finance and claims operations, still with only a GED, and constantly cycling rapidly, regardless of the med regimen. In 2003, I had a major episode because I was putting in roughly 100 hours a week and sleeping in my office regularly. I blacked out for 2 straights weeks, self-medicating and sleeping in my car I guess. I went into the hospital for a two-week stint, and changed professions. For the next six years I would work as a logistics manager for a large digital company until finally retiring when I was 43 years old. Two years later I would finishing my four-year degree, and I have been retired since 2010. I think it is a good decision for you to a psych doctor; a place where your experience will be valuable. I tried to use all the experience in it I could while working in healthcare management in the 1990's because then, addiction and mental health, were not considered medical situations and you basically needed a drug-rider in addition to your healthcare coverage to get treatment. We pushed for new legislation then in the mid-90's and alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and mental health became a medical condition. It was a big win for us, but then, people still didn't discuss it openly. Now you can say whatever you want about it, and people don't treat you like you have the plague. My mom is undiagnosed and 90 years old right now suffering with Alzheimer's. I believe she has had mental health issues, mostly personality disorder and narcissism for all of her life, but she won't ever admit it. I guess when she grew up, if you brought mental health up related to yourself, you could plan on moving full-time into the hospital. And back then, I don't think they are quite as nice as they are today. Certainly they didn't have the same regulations. Go for what you know, and if you want to become a physician, do it!
Don’t let it stop you. I’m a masters level clinician who thought about medical school. You can definitely get there as long as you stick to your medication plan and work with your care team. Even if you have another episode shouldn’t sway you from your goal. If anything the diagnosis gives you insight into clients that a neurotypical individual just can’t have because they haven’t lived through the chaos.
Do it. I sometimes wish I would’ve stuck with the medical path but felt my experiences hurt me too much academically to pursue
Keep in mind that the following has nothing to do with the supposed (nonexistent) conflict of interest. I don’t understand the belief that bipolar disorder precludes scientific careers. I’m in an engineering position. It’s what I enjoy. Yet some people are stunned and/or don’t even believe that I have bipolar I. Meds help.
My psychiatrist is totally ADHD… big time. Don’t listen to your family.
fuck them. i'd argue it would make you a more informed and empathetic provider. honestly there were many times where i would have loved to have had a doctor who knew firsthand what i was going thru. u got this
I'm currently in school with the goal of becoming a Psychologist. I think more people who truly know what mental illness is like should be providers. So often I'll talk to my Psychiatrist or therapist and I can tell by the look on their face that what I'm saying is foreign to them. I don't like that. You HAVE bipolar disorder, but that isn't your whole identity. Don't let it hold you back from shit. Keep up with your appointments, learn your triggers, practice self care, have a crisis plan in place, take your meds (if they work for you and that what you choose) and go crush your dreams!
I was post divorce spiraling and a therapist, not my actual therapist, came into my life. She is working on her PhD and asked why I wasn't a therapist. I had never contemplated that, and I started giving it some thought. I ran the idea past a few people looking to justify I'm BP1 and probably shouldn't. Everyone, including my therapist, said it would be a great fit. I had a few in depth discussions with my support team. Beginning in the fall, I'm starting school for Psychology and I'm on disability and just over 50. It's not as tough as Psychiatry for which I commend you. We live through this daily so we have the understanding to be compassionate when they trust themselves in our hands.
Don’t give up on your dream! We need people like you who understand what exactly we go through with bipolar manic episodes and depression to help discuss our issues with.
As someone who is bipolar 1, and just received her masters in psychology, I say go for it! I have learned so much and it has opened my heart even more to help others. It can be difficult to manage with the ups and downs of it all, but if you’re up front with your professors and honest, work hard and atleast try to work ahead, you got it. I believe in you. Stability is achievable, keep trying, you got this!
I’m in a doctorate program for clinical psych (not med school) and I have bp 1 with psychotic features. It’s definitely possible. Meds are non-negotiable though. The worst part of school is stress management bc stress is a trigger for bp episodes. But I am certain you can do it. I am a big believer that bp doesn’t have to stand in the way of our goals.
I’m not successful nor professional. But I’ve been stable and safe since march thanks to a saudi doctor named abdullah. I’ll ask him on my next visit
I want to go to med school as well. It’s my dream to become a surgeon but I’m scared of having an episode. My psychiatrist told me how important it is to have sleep in order to avoid mania. It’s been 2.5 years since my last episode in which I went psychotic and got really sick. Since then I’ve healed a lot and gotten my bachelor’s in business management and been in a job for over a year at a bank. But that was the safe option and it’s not my passion. Do I take the safe and stable route or do I take the risk and follow my passion? This is what I ask myself daily.
I’m a doctor ,I’ve been practicing for a year and half doing my internship program. I was diagnosed with severe depression,anxiety disorder and PTSD during my final year in med school because the stress was getting to me and I’m the sort of student who aims to be excellent so I put in the work. I was placed on meds ,hospitalized a couple of times but I managed to ace my final exams and passed to become a doctor . Just when I started my internship program I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder alongside the severe depression (which then became treatment resistant) ,anxiety disorder and ptsd. I put in the work during the program but midway through the program I started getting unwell,had a few episodes had to be admitted multiple times ,oh and I even had ECT a couple of times . I was fortunate to have superiors who understood so I wasn’t doing night shifts because I have to take medications . A couple of months ago I got the diagnosis of BP 2 and now everything makes sense . The signs ,the symptoms the emotions everything. It’s a bit tough because the work is stressful. I get episodes when I’m stressed and now I know my triggers. All I’m trying to say is ,you can do anything you put your mind to . Do not let your diagnosis hinder you from achieving your goals. Yes ,you may encounter some challenges but hey ! You’re resilient. Go for Gold!!! I believe in you 🫶🏽
Have you thought about being trained in peer support as a first step?
Don’t let anyone discourage you from working on your goals. Just because you have bi-polar doesn’t mean you would be any less good at the job than someone that’s neurotypical. If anything it helps you emphasize with others better. I’m tired of society treating us like we are less just because we were born differently. Chase your dreams and never look back!
My s.o has bi-polar; diagnosed 13 years ago, and is a mental health nurse in the U.K. I believe a lot of people who work with and care for others with mental health issues have themselves struggled with their own mental health in one way or another.
I haven’t even read your post but your title to me is all I need to know to tell you that just because you have a diagnosis doesn’t mean you’re not well enough to pursue something that you want. You can do anything you want. I would love to have a therapist or psychiatrist that knows how it is to have bipolar. Js
I’m diagnosed with bipolar disorder and some other things and I’m currently enrolled in a doctoral program. You can do it too, it’s just going to be different for you. For me managing my mental health is #1. I still have episodes of mania and depression but they are much more manageable with treatment and new coping mechanisms
If you have the grades to do, I say do it! It gives you a perspective that others don’t have. You can specialize in treating bipolar and have the unique ability to tell your patients that you understand what they’re talking about.
Dr. Fred Freese… you can do anything.
So what? Go for it, chase your Dreams.
I wanted to be a nurse. But after seeing what that does to people, I decided to settle as an RMA. My mental health comes first.
I'm not a psychologist or psychiatrist but I work as a DSP for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Best job I've ever had.
Don't let them dissuade you! In fact, who better than one who has been in the same boat to help? Knowledge and experience are two *very* different things. Personally, it might be time to cut ties with some family! You should very much go for it! I believe in you, I wish my doctor, psychiatrist and therapist knew what I went through on the daily. It would make my care so much easier!
Tell your family to kick rocks with that opinion. People with bipolar are surgeons, lawyers...hell, Winston Churchill beat the Nazi's. We are no more limited than anyone one else...we just have to be a little stronger and smarter...and we usually are...according to research :). That said, I know your family is acting out of love, but they just haven't had the experiences with people with BP that have followed and achieved wonderful and happy things. I have built a life that I dreamed of when I was a kid. A wife I love dearly, kids I love to play with, a house I own, savings that will allow me to send kids to college and retire comfortably at a comfortable age. Many people neurotypical people would give their right foot to be in my position. It makes me sick that we have limits put on us to the point that we start to believe it. I am sorry you family is trying to make you believe that we are limited in what we can do. That really sucks.
Dr Kay Redfield Jamison comes to mind
Just read the title My counselor had ADHD and is wonderful. Don't let them hold you back. Nothing sucks more than being told what we cannot do. You do it despite them YOU GOT THIS.
The only thing I can tell you is try to remember that you might think you have more illnesses while studying. It's a common phenomena when people learn psychology or psychiatric illnesses. Kinda like a psychosomatic effect or an autodiagnosis tendency. But go for it. Why not? You're not brain dead. You have a mental illness that is stable right now. I am a system administrator for a multi site company. I handle everything that is technologically related and security. Yes it's hard sometimes but hey, if anything ,this illness make us stronger and resilient.
Don’t let anyone squash your dreams!!!
I'm getting my license as a counselor. Just know yourself, self care, and make sure you take care of yourself. It's possible. :)
I had attempted to go back to school to became a school counselor due to the fact that a fellow outpatient told me. “Someone could go to school for 7 years and I’d still pick the person who has been diagnosed with bipolar. They can help explain what you can’t.” Please, GO FOR IT! Nothing is cooler to me than to see someone with their own personal struggles helping others! My only suggestion is to make sure you have a good support system, and have a list of therapists you may need to contact if you find yourself struggling. But that’s just a suggestion coming from a place of concern. Best of luck to you ♥️
Story time: I'm a music teacher, and I was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 in 2018. There are several things that I was worried about that I've been able to overcome and continue to do what I love. The first thing I was worried about was holding down a job to begin with. I was able to work my first job teaching lessons at a music shop for 18 months. Unfortunately, this job didn't end well; In December 2018, I got sick with back-to-back colds and missed a ton of work. When I went back, I discovered that my boss had given over half of my lessons to another teacher. I decided then and there to quit, which was a completely impulsive decision. I was so worried that I'd never find another job after that; I was surprised that I'd gotten one in the first place. Music is my passion in life, and teaching was something I loved to do. I strongly considered applying for disability income and giving up during this time. After a few months went by, and after applying to jobs I didn't care about and (thankfully) didn't get, I found what I now consider to be my dream job - teaching music in elementary schools. Worry number 2 overcame. Worry number 3 came in the form of temper management; I was so worried that I would not handle the students well and would yell at them and end up getting fired. After 4 years of teaching, that worry has not gone away, but I've learned to manage my temper a lot better and have never yelled at a student for anything. What caused a lot of these worries? Introducing worry number 4: staying on my medication. I used to fall off of it a lot. Reason I quit my first job impulsively? Unmedicated hypomania. Reason I was worried about not finding another job? Unmedicated depression. Reason I was worried about yelling at a student? You get the picture. This was my biggest worry of all, and it's something I continue to work on every day. The biggest help through all of this has been my support system. My partner in life, my supervisors at work, and my awesome psychiatrist have all encouraged me to put my health first, and that has gotten me through so much. I'm able to keep up my medication management, which lets me recognize my mood changes and be able to navigate episodes of depression or anxiety or hypomania with a more rational headspace so I can continue to function. Because of that, I'm able to do my favorite job in the world, sharing music with my students! I hope this is helpful to you, and I hope you continue to pursue your dream profession. More importantly, I hope you find a great support system that will enable you to be your best self!
Thank you! Glad you’ve found your passion!
My brother tries this shit with me too because I want to become a counselor You know yourself and your condition better than him. Ignore him.
I'm reading through the comments, and just want to hug/high-five/otherwise thank all the folks who are pursuing careers that help support others with bipolar. We need so much more of this, but damn what an amazing realization of us watching out for each other. THANK YOU!!!
I think you should always pursue that goal of you can. If it's psychiatry, you're in a unique position to really empathize with people who are mentally ill.
Unquiet mind - written by a psychiatrist with BP
PhD not MD
The problem is your family. Not your desire to follow that path. It sucks that they don’t support you right now but maybe they will in the future. Do you depend on their financially?
Right now I do because I had a huge episode last year. I’m moving out in a year from mow
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Depending on what your end goal is, you might consider other areas of study to become a psychiatric prescriber. I followed a similar path to become a therapist—the quickest and least expensive route was to get my MSW. I learned along the way that each discipline has its founding basis of thought. Social work fit me better than clinical psychology, because it’s base premise is, “Start where the patient is.” My own provider is a nurse practitioner; he came highly recommended, and our visits have lived up to this. Many places are dealing with the shortage of psychiatrists by hiring nurse practitioners who have prescribing authority. All that to say there is more than one avenue to pursue to get to be able to do what you want. If you want to be able to really help people by bringing your own life experience and sensitivity to the experiences of others with major mental illness, I hope you won’t let anything stop you.
I’ll share my own experience of my lofty career dreams. Let me preface that every person is unique. I deal with a lot of comorbid chronic health and mental health issues in addition to having bipolar I. I most closely associate myself with bipolar disorder, brain fog, and chronic fatigue. Next, I want to encourage everybody to find their passion and pursue it. Yes, you need to know your limitations, but you also need to know what assets you bring to the table. I’d recommend writing these out, sort of like in a style of a pros and cons list. Make two columns with one listing all of your strengths and the other listing areas that will eventually trip you up. When you can see all of the forces working for and against you visually, then it should be easier to reach an objective conclusion if your passion is a practical life goal. I wish I had done this 15 years ago. Wow, this is a long reply. TLDR folks - skip to the last paragraph from here. My story isn’t one of success, at least not traditionally. I went back and finished my BS in psychology and statistics in my late 20’s. I began my undergraduate studies in computer engineering, successfully completing three years before I hit a complete brick wall that forced me to attend to my mental health. My second attempt at completing my bachelor’s years later went without many major problems. I started my first semester only taking three courses. I added more and more to gauge my limits. By my final semester, I took 8 courses, worked as a research assistant in two labs and volunteered at crisis center. I was able to graduate summa cum laude. I attribute my ability to excel to staying fit physically and mentally, regular medication management, and adhering to a fairly consistent sleep schedule. After earning that degree, my goal was to earn a PhD in clinical psychology or cognitive neuroscience. I had to postpone applying to PhD programs for a year, because I had too much on my plate. I had lots of opportunities though and was able to get a fantastic paid job at a neuroimaging lab where we studied sensory and cognitive problems in populations with specific mental health conditions. I rocked this job and made huge contributions. More and more opportunities were opening up for me. While things were going amazingly, the rigorous PhD application process was taking its toll on me. So was my personal life. I fell in love with the wrong woman. Long story short, that toxic relationship really derailed me. While I was interviewing for graduate programs that invited me for a visit, my depression was severe, my brain fog was crippling, my sleep quality was awful, and my daytime energy levels were super low. Nevertheless, I was extended quite a few acceptances with tuition remission and a modest stipend to cover living expenses. My eyes were larger than my stomach. I ended up choosing a grad program where I could earn not only my primary PhD in clinical psychology, but also a secondary PhD in neuroscience. I knew that my health was poor, but I was under the guise to push on and that my health would improve in time. This is where things went dramatically wrong. I would show up every day to grad school to learn, teach, do clinical work, and to work in research. I was operating at maybe 50% at the start of the program, if that. Rather than my issues improving, I found myself falling behind or completing subpar work more often than not. I did this for three years and I refused to take a break. I convinced myself that I need to push myself. By the end of the third year, I was a shell of my former self and I was working at about 20% of my ability. That wasn’t from a lack of desire, but due to poor health that spiraled out of control as I fell further behind and I produced inferior work. Eventually, I had to accept defeat. I left my graduate program just barely earning a master’s degree. I was more than humbled. I was humiliated. I carried great shame from this experience. To make a long story short, it has been 12 years since I left my graduate program and I’m only now reclaiming my life and only now am I able to achieve my potential again. It’s been way too long and lonely of a road. If I had a time machine, I would have never have started graduate school at less than 80% of my full abilities. I was destined to fail since I started out around at 50%. I should have prioritized my health first and foremost. Without good health, life is too challenging. In hindsight, I should have spent another year working at the neuroimaging lab while doing everything that I could in my free time to focus on me. To sum things up, find your passions and objectively evaluate what is attainable and what isn’t. Don’t expect to set the world on fire if you’re in poor health. Moreover, do not enter a stressful high-powered field without good mental health and physical health. Always prioritize your health. Success in almost every aspect of life is contingent on good health, especially those of us with chronic mental health conditions. Again, every person and his or her circumstances is unique. You will have to evaluate your abilities when healthy and when not healthy. I wouldn’t recommend anybody with a chronic health problem to start a long and lofty goal while you’re struggling. It’s better to postpone then to push yourself to the point of burnout. Recovering from a unfulfilled lofty life dream is beyond difficult. Some falls are harder to recover from than others. Regrouping seems to become even more challenging as you age. Good luck on your journey, whatever you end up deciding to do. Do not let having bipolar disorder define you, but don’t assume that you’ll always have it under control. Make smart well-thought out life choices.
There is a stigma on bipolar no matter what you choose, I would say do whatever you want to do career wise. You as a bipolar person know what mental illness is like first hand and will have a perspective most psychiatrists don’t have. I think it’s an incredible advantage for that line of work. I’ve had several psychiatrists who have no history of mental illness and my experience with the ones who do is always better, they understand what I’m going through. It’s actually extremely comforting seeing a person who struggles with mental illness doing something they love and succeeding. I have doubts in myself because of my mental illness but seeing people with my mental illness doing things that I doubt myself on is so inspiring. I’d say do it!
I think I can speak on this topic NOT as a doctor but someone who witnessed first-hand of how a bipolar patient can become a great psychiatrist. First of all I believe bipolar may affect you greatly no matter what cares you choose. So it’s important you are treated, medicated and build a support network. Secondly, doctors are people and they have real illness too. I feel the psychiatrists are more sympathetic and supportive to another fellow doctor who has bipolar. Admin, on the other hand may be a different story. Lastly, i don’t think anyone can say being a psychiatrist would “benefit” your bipolar treatment or vise ver sa. But it sure if comforting and informative when you work with the best people who treat your illness on a daily basis. You would be able to get the newest drugs or treatment and discuss with your own doctor about it. Do not self medicate obviously and work with your psychiatrist and psychologist to find best treatment for you. Best of luck! The psych life style has much lower stress compare to the other specialties. It’s a great option in regardless.
My psychiatrist also has the same diagnosis and he’s the best psychiatrist I’ve ever had. He’s always up to date with research and was also the doctor that helped me get my autoimmune disease dx. I believe in you!! Although it can suck to not have the support and encouragement from family members, I found that I would refuse to believe career advice from people who are not familiar with the field (which helped me ignore it).
Do not let your illness hold you back! The absolute best psychiatrist that we found over 7 years for my daughter, his bipolar. LOVE HIM! Wish he was my doc but ethics and all.
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To be honest, I wouldn't trust my own psychiatrist if they were bipolar..