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Is it possible for me to have a successful career in medicine with a debilitating mental illness?

I’m bipolar (it’s unclear whether i’m 1 or 2 yet) and I want to pursue medicine. I am in high school currently and am worried I can’t have the future I want.

medicine healthcare high-school medical-school advice mental-health doctors mental-illness
Thank you comment icon Greetings Gurbaani, The best thing that you can know is that you can do anything that you want to do in life. Yes sometimes people will try to tell you what you can and can’t do. Some times learning about yourself through education and experience can be therapeutic and difficult. I found Carl Jung / Carl Rogers and the modern techniques of solution focused modalities with my Faith Based Approach because we are all spiritual beings not projections of Freud. But please don’t project yourself as being any certain way. Because it does not define you, the process depends upon your strengths can do anything you want to accomplish. It depends upon your desire for what you want to do. Eric Snow
Thank you comment icon Why couldn't you? Why wouldn't you use your knowledge and your experiences to help people like you? You can be a psychologist in medicine and mental health. There's many roles in the medical field. That play a part in mental health. Why not choose a role in that and use? What's going on with you to help others? Sandra Teeters
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Subject: Career question for you
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Mustafa’s Answer

There's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't chase your dream of becoming a medical professional. Many successful doctors have conditions like bipolar disorder I or II, OCD, anxiety disorder, and ADHD. The wonderful thing about the medical field is that it allows you to pick your specialty and how you want to practice it.

Medical school is a crucial first step on this journey. But it's equally important to envision your life after medical school. Clinical medicine can be a bit unpredictable, with many factors beyond your control. This unpredictability isn't for everyone. That's why many doctors opt to become physician-scientists.

These professionals, who hold both MD and PhD degrees, work in academic settings where they're involved in both clinical and basic science research. They're in a unique position to make significant contributions at various levels, from basic science to the development of new treatments.

Physician-scientists are often the go-to experts for clinicians seeking updates on the latest advancements in various aspects of patient care at conferences. So, as you can see, the medical field offers a range of opportunities to suit different preferences and strengths.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for taking the time to help. Gurbaani
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Phyllis’s Answer

Dear Gurbaani,

It is absolutely possible to have a career in medicine and have bipolar disorder. As a matter of fact, you may be chief in the field since you are experiencing what it is like to have this challenge. Being young is on your side along with having the diagnosis because unfortunately, some people don't find out about having bipolar disorder until they are much older. If you're interested in a career including medicine, maybe you will want to help others who have bipolar disorder and wow, how great you can be at that!
There's always advantages and disadvantages to the challenges we face in life. It's a disadvantage to have a disorder, however, having the diagnosis means you understand firsthand what it's like to live with being bipolar and you can give hope to others who will eventually be diagnosed. I'm picturing you as a doctor, giving advice to a young person who wonders if they can have a career like being a doctor and the hope they will feel when they learn you overcame your insecurity as to whether or not you could do it. If you are interested in a different field of study in medicine other than working with bipolar folks, you can assist a colleague who has bipolar patients or give inspirational talks about beating the insecurity that you had because you have achieved the level of becoming a doctor. Your experience with this disorder can lead you to great pathways. Take your disadvantage and turn it into your greatest advantage. You have got this!

Best to you,
Phyllis
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for your kind words it means everything to me :) Gurbaani
Thank you comment icon What a lovely, thoughtful response, Phyllis! You bring up a very strong point. yoonji KIM, Admin
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Yolanda’s Answer

Yes, it is possible. I have bipolar 1 and I am a Clinical Pharmacist with a PhD in Clinical Pharmaceutical Science. It wasn't easy by any means but it was what I wanted to do. I found a great psychiatrist and therapist that helped me with my bipolar depression. I was hospitalized over the course of my career maybe 5 times but I didn't let that stop me. I know everyone is different but I think if you really want something you can achieve it.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for your response Yolanda. It really means a lot to me and your story helped me overcome some of my fears. Thank you again :) Gurbaani
Thank you comment icon Thank you for sharing your story, Yolanda! Your determination is inspiring and will be very encouraging to Gurbaani and many others. yoonji KIM, Admin
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Godfrey’s Answer

I think it's possible however your health proceeds your career.
As along as your health conditions will be addressed and it doesn't poss danger to you and your career progression then its a posibility
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much, Godfrey! Gurbaani
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Judith-Ann’s Answer

Gurbaani, Your question shows insight and forward thinking that is important in any career choice. You used the word debilitating. How do your think it debilitates you? In people skills? In concentration? In memory? ETC? In deciding whether to pursue the medical field, first ask yourself which field do I wish to pursue? research? clinical? private? institutional? The answer to these questions will then include what do you see as the stressors you will face in this choice. Depending on your diagnosis symptoms and how it plays out in your life, you would want to eliminate certain areas of study. For instance, if your diagnosis exhibits with mood swings; where would that most be minimized in your career? If you exhibit in outbursts of anger, where would you most likely disturb your coworkers or your patients? The answers will then be coupled with what kind of care you have for yourself and can you be consistent? I wish you good speed and a happy journey.
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