Bipolar Disorder

Yeah, we used to call it manic-depressive. And drivin' a truck will sure subject you to it!

 

I scored a 4.......Hmmm...no surprise.....

 

I'll be honest and this; You can do it if you have yourself under control at all times. You do not have to tell big companies jack diddly squat about your health providing you can pass a DOT physical. My birth mother had it and did just fine being a truck driver till the mid 90's when she gave it up to be home.

Edit: Scored at 47.

KH

 

I looked at that quiz, LW, and it seems a dangerous idea.
The quiz asks questions without giving a context.

Depressive and other mental health disorders are either organic or reactive.
The first - organic - is an established disorder, where behaviour patterns continue regardless of circumstances, while the second - reactive - is a crisis reaction in a person with no mental health issues, a temporary 'crash' following a major life event such as a bereavement, job loss, divorce, etc.

Many people experience reactive depression following a crisis, its a normal reaction and the body's way of saying 'time out'.

Its normal for moods to fluctuate, due to tiredness, stress, being in the company of someone you don't like, work pressures, etc.

I have seen so many patients wrongly diagnosed with mental health disorders when all they need to was 'space' and professional counseling, following a crisis in their lives.
Instead they got psychiatric treatment, which will stay on their medical records, and possibly mess up their employment options and future relationships too.

 

1 no
2 maybe
3 NOT
4 sometimes
5 does posting here count?
6 nah, I dont watch nascar.
7 Since I got married, many things have changed. Ok I still desire it.
8 Doesnt apply, still a couch potatoe
9 This would explain working for CR England
10 Yup this place does just that! Darn you truckers report! LOL

Hmmmm guess I dont qualify
​

 

I have been a volunteer mental health counselor for more than 20 years. I teach a class to families of people with a mental health diagnosis, and am a former board member for NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentall Ill). I have extensive medical training in mental health from the Univerities of Washington and California. I am not degreed in this field, however.
Bi-Polar disorder affects 2-5% of the population as a disease. (It affects nearly 20% if you consider family members of people with a diagnosis)
It is largely treatable with physcotropic prescriptions and in more than 95% of cases can be kept under control with regular medication.
The problem is people with a diagnosis, often go off their meds when they feel better, then relapse with (usually) an even greater episodial occurance.
The average person with one of the 5 major mental illness diagnosis, will go off their meds three to five times over their lifetime before becoming med compliant.
In answer to the question, can you get a CDL? Yes
Will a trucking company hire you? Yes, many will, if you're med compliant.
It is totally up to the company. If you demonstrate a history of being compliant, if your diagnosis is type one, usually there is no problem.
If you have a type two diagnosis (severe) and or show a history of being non compliant, it is likely you will not be hired.
Companies guage your compliancy by your history. Arrests, DUI's, misdomeaners,... just like anyone else.
You must disclose your medications to a doctor and an employer for your DOT requirements, but they will not automatically disqualify you.
Bi-Polar, just like Schizophrenia, Depression, OCD and MPD are treatable with different prescriptions. Some people require more than others. Some need prescriptions that will affect driving.
This is something, that if you have a diagnosis, you should speak with your doctor (phsyc) about.
I have known many drivers with BP that work successfully in all phases of driving. (Local, OTR, LTL). I have employed such drivers as well.
An internet test is about as lousy a criteria as there can be in deciding if you have ANY mental health diagnosis. There is no blood test that will determine. Only a history test taken in conjunction with phsyciatric evaluation.
Trust me...if you are asking about your self, it is not very likely you have a diagnosis.
Hope this helps.

 

Good post Emulsified!

One thing I always wondered, I know quite a few people who are on 'mind pills'. Makes you wonder if most of society is over medicated?

I went to my general Dr. once for knee pains(existing injury), and I just made the comment "It's really #### annoying it hurts at the wrong times, it can be a real PITA to deal with" He gave me an RX for anti-inflammatory AND an RX for Prozac! I aksed him why I needed Prozac and he said, 'you seem to be depressed about it" Unf*****beliveable! I didn't get the Prozac filled.