Comments on: Bipolar Disorder Q&A: Does having bipolar qualify me for disability in the law enforcement profession?

By: Canuk

Canuk — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 03:29:02 +0000

I was a very sucessful manager, getting a degree while i worked. I got rather depressed due to stressful life events and one day walked off my job and never returned. I went to the doctor and sent sick leave and applied for LTD which was accepted. It is now 4 years and i think if you are really bipolar you could kiss your career goodbye. With meds I have never recuperated. Yes my moods have been better but my memory and concentration is worse than ever. My children asks me how I am so retarded IQ wise. All my studying and 15 years of experience down the tubes. I can never return to work as my cognitive abilities are gone and does not want to return. I forget the stove on, I forgot alot of my past, I forget where i put things, etc. With the meds and since I stopped working I am more disabled now. Bipolar is a mental illness and i dont know if there are different bipolars but if you are like me you will not be able to function with or without meds. Without meds I had a few psychotic episodes – thought i had power which lasted days. Or like when i walked off the job, i kept crying and having big conflicts with my boss. Gosh this is so long but I truly feel if you are bipolar, take care of yourself and apply for the disability. Continuing as become a dentist I think is a chance. I have had no good success with meds apart from controlling my moods and avoiding a psychotic episode, but my memory and cognition is gone gone gone.

By: carrie

carrie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:41:41 +0000

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?

By: eleonore

eleonore — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:33:17 +0000

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.

By: irene

irene — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:51:02 +0000

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

By: Carole

Carole — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 04:28:58 +0000

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.

By: Former police member

Former police member — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:38:38 +0000

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.

By: Former police member

Former police member — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:29:31 +0000

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.

By: Confusing A Personality Disorder With Bipolar Disorder

Confusing A Personality Disorder With Bipolar Disorder — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:53:47 +0000

[...] Bipolar Disorder Signs | Tel-Med Health Blog Steve Asks… As a police officer diagnosed with bipolar illness two years ago, and due to… [...]

By: John

John — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:25:11 +0000

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