I feel very isolated and would like to talk with someone who understands Expand Bipolar UK provides a range of services for individuals affected by bipolar. Whether you have a diagnosis for bipolar, are concerned about the possibility of bipolar, are being affected by a member of your family or a loved one, we are here to assist and support you. Our services include: Local and national online support groups Our Support Line offering information and advice via telephone or email Online eCommunity open 24/7
Can I drive my car if I have bipolar? You must inform the DVLA of your diagnosis Expand If you have bipolar, it may have implications for driving. You must inform the following about any medical condition you have that could affect your ability to drive: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) (Includes the correct form for doing so) Your insurance company. You must tell the DVLA no matter how long you have been driving; this includes during the application for your first licence and renewal of an existing licence. As soon as you become aware of your diagnosis or possible diagnosis of bipolar, you must alert the DVLA You should also be aware of the effects your medication has on your ability to drive. In addition to this, if you have a substance misuse issue, including alcohol, you are required to tell the DVLA about this. Your doctor or psychiatrist may be asked to provide information on your fitness to drive. Contact details for the DVLA More information about bipolar and the DVLA
Should I tell my employer, line manager or work colleagues? Expand Telling your manager and work colleagues about your illness is a personal decision, but you have to ensure you remain within the law and your contract of employment. If, for example, your employer specifically asks about any illnesses then you should disclose if you have a diagnosis of bipolar. Bipolar is covered by the Equality Act (2010) which allows you to ask for reasonable adjustments in the work place that help support any disadvantage you might be experiencing. If you do not tell your manager, you cannot expect your employer to make reasonable adjustments. Download our guides Bipolar UK produces two employment guides for employees and employers which can be downloaded from our Information Leaflets section What reasonable adjustments can I ask for? When considering reasonable adjustments to ask for you need to think about what triggers an episode of bipolar in the work place and how you and your company might consider changing that particular situation to avoid an episode. The adjustments need to take away the disadvantage you are facing and be of benefit to you. Our employment guides provide useful advice in this regard. If you or your employer wish to know more about reasonable adjustments, please email us on [email protected]
Do I have to tell others? Should I tell anyone? Expand Bipolar affects every aspect of your life and your relationships, family and friends can all be put under stress. To understand how bipolar affects you, and to manage the illness, you will need support. If you can speak to a family member, partner or close friend as this will assist you. As part of your support network it's ideal if family members and loved ones can be involved in planning treatment. It can also help you if mental health professionals can consult them (unless you don't want them to). Other questions in this section focus on when you might consider telling others outside of your immediate family and friends.
If I am ill what powers do my family have? Expand Under the Mental Health Act we all have a nearest relative who will be involved in decisions about whether we are hospitalised. We do not get to choose our nearest relative. If you or your nearest relative are both unhappy about them taking on this role, they can write a letter naming another individual to act as your nearest relative. They should inform at least one of your doctors or other people responsible for your care. Your nearest relative has several powers and responsibilities: They can apply for you to be admitted to hospital. The approved social worker must tell the nearest relative if they have applied (or are applying) for you to be detained under section 2. The approved social worker must talk to the nearest relative if they plan to detain you under section 3 (unless it is not practical to do this or would cause unreasonable delay). Your nearest relative can object to the application to detain you. However the approved social worker can ask the court to appoint someone else as your nearest relative if the objection is unreasonable. Your nearest relative can apply for you to be discharged from hospital. However the doctor in charge of the treatment can stop this.
What is power of attorney? Expand Helping a friend or relative who is struggling to manage their finances can be difficult, especially if they do not have the mental capacity to make their own decisions. For many people, the solution is to make a power of attorney - a way of giving someone the legal power to manage their finances. In most cases, making a power of attorney will mean an end to the problems that can arise in these situations. But sometimes things go wrong, which is why the ombudsman has provided tips for both banks and consumers on power of attorney – and how to avoid problems. For more information, please visit the Financial Ombudsman's website
If I am detained in hospital can my friends and family visit me? Expand You have the right to visits from your family and friends. If the hospital or doctor do not think it is beneficial for you to receive visitors, they must have a very good reason related to your health and safety to stop visits. If visits are stopped, the decision should be recorded and the record should be made available to the Mental Health Act Commission.
Mental Health Act 1983 - patient information Expand The Department of Health and Social Care has issued leaflets for patients who have been brought to hospital by a police officer under section 135 or 136 of the Mental Health Act. The leaflets explain to the person: - why they are in hospital - what to expect during this section - their rights - what could happen afterwards - The leaflets contain form fields for healthcare professionals to enter the expiry date and time of the patient’s detention. Click here to download the leaflets
What do I need when returning to work after bipolar illness? Expand A checklist of what to think about when preparing to return to work: Talk to your manager about a phased to work and build in a midway review point. If your employer knows about your diagnosis share and copy of the Bipolar UK Employers Guide with your manager. If your employer does not know about your diagnosis think about if now is the time - see the Bipolar UK Employees Guide for help. Make sure you take in any sick notes, not previously handed in, so that sick pay is not affected. Think about your journey to work and plan for back ups. If you have children. or caring responsibilities, are these affected? Check that your next of kin information is up to date with your employer. Ask about any employee assistance programmes to support your return to work. Consider if a temporary adjustment would help you. You can ask for an Occupational Health assessment on return, if you have had this in the past. Or ask for a Occupational Health assessment to develop any reasonable adjustments you might need. details of how to identify what reasonable adjustments you can request are in the Bipolar UK Employees Guide (p.13)