As a police officer diagnosed with bipolar illness two years ago, and due to a recent episode that resulted in hospitalization, I am currently on sick leave. I will be applying for disability with their blessing. The question is whether police work in general, and working nights for many years will be qualifying for a disability. I hope to find a less stressful career but after many years on the force, what, I don’t know. Anyone? Has anyone had the same diagnosis in a similar profession?
This question is more legal than health-related, so I cannot answer it with any detail of disability law, but I’m posting it here to open it for discussion. I would say, however, that bipolar disorder is a disabling medical illness that has become more and more a well accepted diagnosis on which to base a disability claim – in any profession. We don’t know the cause of bipolar disorder, but you do not have to blame your disability on your profession to qualify for disability benefits, unless you are seeking a Workman’s Compensation claim in which you are trying to prove that your job created your illness.
Can anyone out there offer any words of advice to Steve?
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I have worked as an insurance broker specializing in disability insurance for the last 25 years.
The determination of qualification for benefits will depend upon the terms of the disability policy.
Perhaps Steve’s employer provides a group long term disability plan in addition to maintaining worker’s compensation for job related disabilities. Steve, I suggest you obtain a copy of that policy(as required by law)and share this with your health professional.
It may also make sense to retain an attorney that specializes in disability benefits law to review this and represent you in this matter.
Hope this helps!
John
The short answer to his question: yes. When my bipolar disorder was diagnosed it was the death knell of my career. I also know that new applicants are given psychological tests that eliminate anyone with a history of any mental illness, before they might be recruited.
Part of the reason is that you’re not permitted to carry a sidearm with a mental illness.
Not every police force has the same policies but that’s how it is in my city.
My answer misunderstood the question: yes bipolar disqualifies me for a law enforcement career, but not for disability benefits, as far as I know. I got another job.
I was a professor before I went on disability. I stopped working for 1.5 semesters before returning part time. When I returned, I was called to human resources and required to sign a statement that I would not disclose my disability or symptoms to any faculty, staff, or students in order to return to work. I signed it reluctantly so I could work. I know that I would not have had to sign a statement like this if I had been out for heart disease.
After my attempt at suicide ten years ago, I have had doctor after doctor say im depressed and prescribe every anit-depressant pills out there. Nothing worked. Only until resently I allowed myself to see a psychologist due to the lack of happiness that I should have expierenced upon my graduating from college,and then the birth of my 1st grandchild altho a happy event, to me started a rush of uncontrollable thoughts as to how am i going to keep going another 20years. So the doctor diagnoses me and further more comes to his conclusion that i am unable to work claiming that i have been misdiagnosed for over ten years. With hesitation I have applied for Disability benefits. Now every day i wonder if sitting around waiting on income that I may not be approved is healthy, you got to understand i also have pts from a 20 year abusive marriage and didnt find hope after divorceing and surviving that, do people in my condition qualify in general as a given or should I seek work in the area in which I have trained for but find IT emotionally hard to just get out of bed or even the fear of rejection hAS OVERWHELMED ME
I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 month ago and now on Depakote,which helps me to feel myself again.In a fall I’ll be back in college(3-d year).My Question is:can I continue working towards becoming a dentist?Thanks.
i was diagnosed with bipolar and depression this year and was put on depakote for my bipolar and celexia for my depression. at first it was doing me some good but now for some reason i cant sleep , i have a loss of appetite and my mood swings seems like they are getting worse. i just signed up for ssi the other day so what are my chances of being approved for it?
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