Can CDL truck drivers take lithium for bipolar disorder?

Agreed, some cannot even control their bi-polar with meds. Follow up with the doctor and figure out the appropriate treatment. My guess is there is large percentage of drivers with bi polar that are undiagnosed.

 

And how would a trucking company know? Until an applicant has taken their physical or has supplied them with the long form they would not know. You would not know by looking at an applicant whether they have this, and because of the attitude against mental illness I am willing to bet you that there is a lot of people who hide conditions, so they can get a job they are qualified for.

And being bipolar does not "edge" on FMCSA rules. Either you are qualified, or you are not, and it is most certainly up to the doctor to decide, not for you and I.

 

Ditto! Well said

 

The OP's original question was " should I lie " ? I think the answer is no.

 

"And how would a trucking company know?"

They probably wouldn't, since you're obviously condoning lying about it. The issue I have here is that everyone seems to take out the party at most risk - the employer. I've been an employer, and if I ever found out I was lied to about something like this (or pretty much anything), you're history.

I, too, have friends who are bi-polar, and I wouldn't want them doing what I've done in the industry. Like any other illness or condition, it's not safe to put yourself into the situation.

 

I am not advocating to lie. But I also don't volunteer what isn't asked. They will find out about it when a long form for a physical is turned in.

And if a physician says the person is capable to do the job safely, why is it unsafe to drive a truck?

I am not advocating that for everyone who is bipolar it would be safe to drive. That needs to be decided case by case.

I believe following the rules is important, but my medical history is none of anyone's business, except to the extent I am required by law to share with the physician who is doing my physical and the info put on my long form.

 

Sorry, but as CDL driver, your medical history is public record, pretty much. In the DOT long form questionnaire, it asks the mental health question, and if you know you're diagnosed bi-polar and on meds and say you're not, then you're lying - how can you not be?

Any law enforcement agency or employer can look at your long form... it's not a secret document, by any means.

 

dear God, do you not read???? I said, I am not saying anyone should lie during their physical. You should be honest. But, I would not volunteer, unless asked prior to being hired that I had been diagnosed with that. I have never, once seen an application that asked anything other than my ability to perform the job as described. I never once said to lie about anything, especially not during your examination.

It is not about lying to anyone. But unless asked I don't volunteer anything. Why should I? And you know what, my medical history is not public record. There are things I have to disclose on my long form, and I will. My employer will be able to see that. Or if asked by a cop I would show it, beyond that, none of anyone's business.

 

I'm never disrespectful to a lady, but have you actually SEEN or READ the DOT longform questionnaire that goes with your physical?... or the questionnaire at the doctor's office - pretty much the same everywhere I've ever seen one - if you aren't honest on either one, its a lie. No need to get excited, and I understand completely if you've never filled one out.

 

You all know what lithium is right? I believe its Thorazine, pretty sure of it. I saw what it did to people when I was in prison, the inmates even had a name for it "Thorazine Shuffle". Those inmates who were extremely crazy, violent and out of controll would be forced daily think injections of it, could of been pills long time ago. These people usually mopped, cleaned walls, light janitorial work ets to keep them busy during the day. These people jacked up with lithium would just kind of shuffle eyes wide open but absutly no lights on inside, not even a spark, or faint glimmer of light. Try to say hi to one of them you would be luck if they even look at you. They just keep on drooling extremely slowly clumbsly do what they were doing. Was told lithium was chemical temporary labotomy. Turned everyone who took it into a almost lifeless drool zombie. I could be wrong about lithium being thorzine, almost positive i am wright. If it is same thing it is last drug on this planet any body driving a big rig should take.

http://www.sntp.net/drugs/thorazine.htm