Can I still have a career in phycology, now I know what I am

After resigning from my job of 4 years and a horrible cycle of mania, depression, mania and depression I am trying to claw my way back from what I left behind and the debt i got myself into. I have always been interested in phycology, and until recently I thought I was going mad, or having the horible realisation that the world is not a nice place anymore. I hated my job, I hated marketing, media, consumerism (as I am a compulsive shopaholic).

I have done some research and come to the concusion that I have Bipolar disorder, and that it is not curable. I have always suffered from these symptoms but never talked to the doctor about them as I did not want him to think I was going mad.

My question is, I recently applied to start working towards a degree in phycology, is it pointless? I dont want to study for 6 years and pay thousands in fees if at the end of it they say I am not mentally strong enough to help other people. I wont go to my doctor in case they mark it on my record - this could prevent me from getting future jobs (i.e working for the national health service.) And I dont want to take lots of medication either.

were you diagnosed with this or did you self diagnose yourself??? This tends to happen as it did with me in school. I thought I was crazy after all my psych classes.....The thing is that most psychologists are a little out there and that is ok...how could you be normal when you do the job you do. I need more info on how severe you think you may be but I think they call it nurses or nursing syndrome where you tend to analyze and diagnose yourself based on what you learn about disorders....This happened to me in my abnormal psych class. Please reply I want to help!!!

Yes i diagnosed myslef, I could be wrong. I have been free of these episodes for about two years, and now they have started to return, and I am certain stress is a key factor.

I am worried about taking pills and seeing a doctor as I dont want to be 'mental'. But like one of my dear old friends recently told me - there is no such thing as being sane. Just different variations of insanity dependent on your mood on different days.

I am certain both my parents had serious mental illness, that was left undiagnised and still is. My father is now dead from an overdose and my mother is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. The worrying thing is, my mother told me in one of her good days, Caroline for gods sake if you start getting ill, see a doctor and get help, dont end up like me.

I dont see my mum anymore as she has disowned me and my kids, because of her mental illness. I still write and send cards but i think its too painful for us to be a part of her life as her life is not normal in any aspect.

So really, its hard to diagnose whats wrong with me. I know I suffered from depression in the past, but usually this was based around circumstance - and my mother played mental mind games with me, which lead to me being really down. I tried to commit sucicide once when i was 17 (now 26). But after I had my children I have never contemplated it - up until the other wek. I would not actually do it but the thoughts were there - telling me that it was the only way out.


Fortunatly I have a few really good friends that talk sense. I want to start rebuilding me life and I am so glad that I have finally been able to put a name to this angwish that takes over me, even if its a mental health problem, its good to know there are other people out there and were not alone.

I have started the process of studying for my degree, but should I go to my doctor (who is lovely) and say 'off the record' what is the protocol for a phycologist to have mental health problems.

Also part of the course that I am taking will involve having therepy - do I have to reveal that I have had problems? And are these really major problems or just part of everyday life, and trying to find a better way of handling it.

Thanks for your interest and advice.

good luck with everything! I do agree that you should go to your psychologist and as what the protocol is for your type of situation. He/she should understand and be able to help! My best!

thanks, and best wishes. Caroline

funkydynamics,

Let me ask you something...do you have a lot of anxiety?

Not recently. Have been quite irritable and worried about my finances, but nothing out of the ordinary.

I'm not sure if going to a professional is the best course to take. I was diagnosed as bipolar as a young person, and that label followed me the rest of my life. There is a great deal of prejudice out in the world about bipolar and mental illness. On many or most job applications one has to disclose if one has been treated by anyone for any type of mental illness. The applications usually say ever, not in the past 5 years or so.

Now if you start doing some strange things especially with your credit cards, then maybe you should go for help.

On my wesite I write about many things to do for bipolar disorder that do not involve the usual medical approaches. It is a big myth that everyone with mental illness has to be drugged up for the rest of their lives. There are other methods that many of us use. However, pills are quick and easy.
Good Luck,
Jim S

Thanks for your advice, website is very good - free books look interesting.

Take care of yourself. Caroline