Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 2/2/2009

Question
I feel like I will never be able to get my life back on track. I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder type II. It took about 4 yrs because I was on anti-depressants (since I can swing very low) and what they considered mania (my driving fast, talking fast, high energy, excessive flirting) wasn't a bother to me. However, I'm on meds now and looking at my life, I feel like I screwed it up. I have walked off every job I've had except 1. And I've had 5 in the last 4 yrs. I started off in college with a 4.0 and graduated with a 2.7 b/c I spent many a time depressed (and overdosing a few times) or unable to go to class b/c I seem to have a problem following routines. Somehow, I got into grad school but then left...literally, walked right off campus and never went back. I have no clue why. Now, I want to go back to college (in 1 yr) and get another undergraduate degree but I don't feel like it's possible. I've been on Lithium and Buproprion for about 8wks and haven't had any downs...but I haven't been under significant duress. I actually want to study physical or occupational therapy but when I tell my counselor, he gives me a funny look. Are there really any careers a person with bipolar disorder should try to stay away from? Do you think it's possible for me to put my life back together after screwing it up so much (as far as getting into a school anywhere in the country and leaving jobs). I mean, ARE there successful bipolar individuals? (meaning holding down challenging careers (like medicine).

Answer
Hi Tomi . . .

I can tell you that people with bipolar disorder have been successful in just about every profession you can imagine. While I am forbidden to make diagnoses on individuals I have not personally examined, I can tell you that there probably have been at least two Presidents of the USA who had bipolar disorder.

In her book "An Unquiet MInd" [See: http://www.amazon.com/Unquiet-Mind-Memoir-Moods-Madness/dp/0679763309/ref=sr_1_1...] Kay Jamison reports how the Chairperson of the Psychiatry Department pointed out to her that John Hopkins Medical School would be a dull place if not for all the physicians with bipolar disorder who were on th staff.

Remaining episode-free is important as psycho-social recovery after an episode takes months, if not years, longer than it takes to get one's symptoms under control.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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