Bipolar

[eevapalmu]

I've got a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder and OCD. I really want to go to medical school. I've got an M.A in an arts subject - lots of work experience in healthcare and have completed various science courses. My psychiatrist says that medicine is an inappropriate career for someone with bipolar disorder - but my friends and family all think i could manage it emotionally. Are there any students or doctors that have managed to get into and complete med school that also have bipolar disorder? It's been my dream to become a doctor for years now but i know i need to be realistic.

[Polldoll]

I dont know much about that, but was always told that for problems such as self harm, eating disorders etc you should be clear for 2 years before applying to uni. But that was for nursing, although I think it could be similar for medicine. It is best to contact the universitys directly and speak to their admissions offices about the probabilitys of letting you apply.

If you view Bipolar as a disability, then there is legislation out there to protect you and ensure equality, you could also contact the disability teams at the unis.

Good luck
Px

[kiki_kiedis]

Definitely phone the unis up.

Good luck, whatever happens

[weeds are plants too]

Originally Posted by kiki_kiedis

Definitely phone the unis up.

Good luck, whatever happens

I've wondered about this kind of thing myself.

Would you suggest they phone annonymously?

[kiki_kiedis]

There's nothing stopping you.

Whenever I phone an admissions tutor (for general questions), I don't bother giving my name

[elz]

when u ring admissions they dont normally ask for ur name! they never have when iv asked about things

[weeds are plants too]

Originally Posted by elz

when u ring admissions they dont normally ask for ur name! they never have when iv asked about things

No, I know. I was just making sure that the person who asked the question knew to phone annonymously so they don't jeopardise their application (as bad as that sounds, it may be the reality).

It's also useful for other people in similar situations.

I hope it's ok for you, eevapalmu. I don't think they should be able to descriminate in this way.

[elz]

its up to u whether u highlight it by putting it on ur personal statement or writing to them about it as well.
the health check forms come after the conditional offers.

[Dr Angel]

Its upto you! If you want to - do it! If you want an honest answer and my personal opinion - I would say dont do it - it would be a waste if things went wrong and you couldnt ge through the course. You would be better off getting yourself well and then applying.
I dont know the symptoms you have or how severe they are - but consider ones like fatique, insomnia and depression and they dont combine well with medicine? Anyone who enters into a medical degree prob has mild versions of those symptoms anyhow - combine this with the condition already present and I think you could do yourself more harm than good.
Anyways whatever you decide to do! Goodluck!!! and I am sure you will make a fine doctor someday!

[kiya]

Originally Posted by eevapalmu

I've got a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder and OCD. I really want to go to medical school. I've got an M.A in an arts subject - lots of work experience in healthcare and have completed various science courses. My psychiatrist says that medicine is an inappropriate career for someone with bipolar disorder - but my friends and family all think i could manage it emotionally. Are there any students or doctors that have managed to get into and complete med school that also have bipolar disorder? It's been my dream to become a doctor for years now but i know i need to be realistic.

I'm trying to find the article online but without success at the moment... There was an article that appeared in one of the magazines that comes to general practice (either Doctor, GP or Pulse, I'm afraid I can't remember which). It was written by a doctor who has bipolar disorder and how she got through training and is a successful GP. I think that in itself says it's possible. You would need help and support, but it sounds as if your friends and family already provide that in spades. If I manage to locate the article, I'll post a link on here for you. Good luck in all you do.

EDIT: just found this: http://www.tcd.ie/tsmj/2003/poles.htm - not the article I was thinking of, but quite interesting.