My name is Graham and I have a superpower called Bipolar Disorder (BD) Type 2.
I have returned to the North West (Todmorden, West Yorks) after 35 years down South.
I have bought a lovely house by The Rochdale Canal. Both the house and location have the WOW Factor. I live with my younger son (23).
This blog is about how I deal with the BD highs & lows given the stresses in my life.
Thanks for reading. I’d love it if you’d leave a comment (good or bad)
Graham
When I had my manic episode. I was advised to declare it to the DVLA.
I did so and was not overly surprised to receive a response saying they had written to mental crisis team and my license was being rescinded.
I need to be stable for 3 months 😱
Just when I was getting my life back, I am limited to walking or public transport to get around.
Had a meeting with mental health psychiatrist and got the relevant forms signed. Hoping my license is waiting for me when I get home.
What is the justification for taking someone’s license away over a manic episode??
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I have bipolar affective disorder. DVLA need you to stable for 3 months since an episode. 6 months if you have had multiple episodes. A psychiatrist needs to sign the forms. I have one episode was back to stable in less than a week.
When manic you have loads of adrenaline and that speeds everything up so I can totally understand rationale
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Did you declare it to DVLA?
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No, my driving ability doesn’t have anything to do with my bipolar. I’m in US so not sure what dvla is.
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DVLA is the UK organisation that handles driving regs. You have to inform them if you have any medical condition
I did but time was only 2 months not 3
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That just seems so unjust and discriminatory to me. I could understand if it was something like epilepsy or something like that but bipolar? Why??
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Epilepsy is on the list. If youve had a heart attack think its 6 months stable.
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The Bipolar Lock keeper 
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