Does a bipolar diagnosis disqualify me from truck driving?

I like these bi-polar threads.

 

I thought bipolar people got SSI and Medicare, I was going to get diagnosed in a few years and sail into an early retirement.
I’d rather be bipolar than to walk with a cane...

 

Me too. In my case because of epilepsy and some of the meds I take I can take trips and never leave the farm! Beats the hell out of sniffing herbs.

 

I had a trainer I think was Bi-Polar and he was not close to stable.

 

Half the time I think they're fantastic!

Half the time it depresses me.

 

I've been driving a truck for the most part of 4 years. A full size tractor trailer 80k lbs. Vac truck in the oil field, auto parts freight, and flat bed hauling oil field metals and highway metals. It's been great and terrible depending on the day, weather, or random incidents occurring. I've never caused or been in any accidents, or received any dot violations or traffic violations. I'm very cautious and mindful of every single little thing I do and what others do. I've been inside trucks with drivers who have been driving all their life and they drive like suicidal maniacs. Some dont, everyone is different.

I've never had a doctor's diagnosis of bipolar disorder but I'm 100% certain I suffer from it. I'm super high for months on end and then in the dumps all of a sudden over one stressful life situation (usually nothing on the road driving really stressed me out for more than a day or two AT MOST) but when my kids mom doesn't let me see her for no reason, or maybe someone seems to not like me at work or at home, or maybe my girlfriend is mad at me it will cause me lots of stress for days or months. Im not currently driving a CMV because I am in a depressed state right now so I came looking for helpful information on trying to figure out what will help me and answer some questions I have for myself. My methods may not work well with others, but if I ever feel like the road isn't the best place for me right now I quit and get better then eventually get back into trucking, the money is great and you work alone even better. But trucking is very stressful for someone like me with this disorder. But I managed it this long. Some people's illness may be worse than mine so I can't say anyone with bipolar disorder can't drive because hey I do. But definitely get on the right meds and go through the steps to protect yourself and the other families on the road who want to get home safely and cuddle their children, wake up and do it again.

But from being a truck driver with bipolar disorder, never once did I ever feel I was a danger to anyone on the road. Never once did I ever think I might cause an accident or feel like I was doing something wrong. But the moment you start feeling low get help or get off the road.

 

Have you been to a Truck Stop lately? Youll "Fit right in". No ..Seriously as long as youre not trying to get Dispatcher"in a Headlock" or on meds that the DOT says are a No Go? I think you could be OK.JMO

 

That right there is what I call a very courageous post. I encourage you to seek counseling. I know it's a taboo thing in our society, but step back from the idiocy of group think and do the right thing for yourself. Give it a chance. You might be pleasantly surprised and find some good direction, without going on meds or anything like that.

Be prepared to meet some demons along the path.

I spent some time as a counselor after I got my degree in Psychology. There's a few that made the commitment to change. Many went through the motions (mostly State ordered). Make the commitment to make a change.

I've posted this on another thread, but it bears repeating here. There's a series of road signs on a rancher's land on a highway in Texas that has given me some pause for reflection and meditation:

Choices become Habits.

Habits become Character.

Character becomes Destiny.

What is YOUR Destiny?

 

Sometime I want to visit the North Pole. Then sometime I want to visit the South Pole. Does this mean I am bi polar?