Question
Basically it's like this: this dude I know w/
far above average adrenal level is currently
on social security for "bipolar disorder" after
having a minor nervous breakdown a few years
ago for a non-job related situation.
Mid-through his life he stopped running around
the country on the rails and realized he was to
good looking of a dude to go to jails, institutions,
or any more flophouses like devil w/out a cause,
and haphazardly drove about 5 years, before
extracurricular circumstances sought to "modify"
him.
Top on his list is to get back driving, and he has
been medically approved to return to such.He has no
accidents or moving violations, how would he fare
during the application process w/ larger companies?
Answer
My disclaimer: I am not a medical professonal and these statements are only my own personal opinions based on the facts as I know them.
I will not attempt to address the possibility of your friend returning to driving a truck, but I do look forward to reading the doctor's or Nurse Red's opinion on this.
I have been involved with Mental Health Awareness for the last 11 years. It's a health field that is not readily accepted or understood by a majority of the general public. However, great strides have been made in the research area of mental illness's and disorders. Public awareness and understanding has also increased greatly over what it ever was just in the past 11 years that I have been involved in this field.
Bi-polar Disorder was previously known as Manic Depression. There are biological and psychological components to every bi-polar disorder. And the severity of this disorder can vary greatly.
Today, there are numerous treatments available.....usually consisting of a combination of medication and psychological therapy. Lithium was the drug of choice in the past, however today there are new medications being developed and used which are also proving to be helpful in this area.
Most people with this disorder.... with the help of the proper medication and therapy....can ....and do....live fairly normal, productive lives.
Mary
[This message has been edited by Mary (edited 03-10-99).]
Answer
The application process and the medical exam questionnaire are going to ask about any history of nervous disorders.
If your friend answers yes (as he truthfully should), he may then need to obtain further documentation from the physician who is treating the nervous disorder. The documentation will need to state that the condition or any medications used to treat the condition will not affect his ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.
Then, it will be a judgement call based on the hiring company and their physician if they have one.
Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse RedVisit us at
Answer
Most companys are not going to want someone who has a requirement to be medicated to operate there truck properly.
I worked for two years with people who had mental health concerns.The medications can affect there ability to drive let alone drive a truck. And the side affects medications can be even worse.
I'm no doctor but my personal opinion is if he requires meds to control his mood swings he should not be allowed to drive comm. trucks.But if he can be certified as not needing meds to control his condition then he should be allowed to drive.
Also stress does not mix well with people who have a mental condition, and truck driving has plenty of that.
Answer
"Also stress does not mix well with people who have a mental condition, and truck driving has plenty of that"
Mental illness or stress? (Or both!)
Answer
Dear Kaiser,
I understand why you may feel the way you do. But there are other factors to consider when discussing mental illnees, and emotional disorders.
Many are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Often, these imbalances can be corrected by medications. Not always do these medications affect one's ability to drive or function at any other level.
Also, some people may experience short term problems in their lives which can cause emotional distress that can result in many different physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath, irregular heart beat, etc., just to name a few. Very often, a mild anti-anxiety medication will help them through a difficult time and they will return to their usual state of health once the problem has resolved. There are several medications on the market for this purpose that do not interfere with the ability to work normally.
What I am saying is that each case is very different, and must be considered on an individual basis. As I stated earlier, a company policy may prevent a driver from working for company 'A' because of emotional problems, but company 'B' may have no problem with this.
This is one of those grey areas, that is strictly a judgement call on the part of the examiner and/or company physician.
Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse RedVisit us at
Answer
Thank you all for your thoughtful answers, I see that this issue has remained connected in a realistic manner to a variety of interested opinion, and after having corresponded w/ my friend he has found kaiser's advice to be "virtual salvation".(?)
My friend also stresses that his "difference" is due more to an abnormally high level of _testosterone_than adrenaline.(blinded by teststerone?)
Just to set the record straight.
And looking at my friend, he wouldn't ordinarily appear to be an example of someone w/ a high level of testosterone,
(maybe it would help to explain a bewildered
dockworker or two), however he seems to feel
strongly about this potentially libelous sit-
uation and his flow of concentration toward
a more professional example of truckdriving.
His consideration of the issue of stress is such that he is basically sure that the negative results thereof would only fall-off
to expose a more dominant and refined product of the attitude necessary to succeed
in such a technologically advanced field that
the transportation industry seems to be evolving towards.
Again, thanx
Answer
OK,
Just exactly what is it you are telling us about your friend? What confuses the dockworkers?
Nurse RedVisit us at
Answer
I don't know but from the sounds of it he might want to just drop the subject
and hook up to a new profession..if he's confusing the dockworkers.