Bipolar diagnosed Air Force

[Alabaloo]

I’m making this post for my husband.

We’ve known he was bp so a few years now and because he was managing decently and afraid of a discharge he never went to a psychiatrist.

During his last depressive episode he reached out for help and just got formally diagnosed.

He will be put on a medication — after research he’s hoping latuda or latimal.

He’s been in 10 years (August) and was hoping to do 20.

He has never let his bipolar disorder affect his job. Luckily his job is maintenance so it doesn’t have access to guns and is very keep to yourself if you’re feeling down.

The only way it’s ever affected our marriage was before he was diagnosed and he’d go through his hypomanic (maybe manic) episodes he would detach from me emotionally and took it as he wasn’t in love with me and would push away. He never cheated, never even left the house except work during those times, and he’s never been abusive.

He’s a great father. He’s ALWAYS gone above and beyond for our daughter. Even when depressed he changes her diaper and acts normal around her.

Never had issues with the law or anything like that either. The psychiatrist actually said that she was surprised he manages it so well. A lot of it is because he is open to being bipolar and would talk to me about it and was on wellbutrin which helped but obviously not a lot.

The psychiatrist says she’s seen people be in while being bipolar but I’m nervous. She said she has high hopes since he’s been in 10 years and it has never affected his job.

Any insights?

 

[Alabaloo]

I should add when he is manic/hypomanic he doesn’t do crazy things, he doesn’t even drink.

He either is super happy and fixated on a bunch of tasks he never finishes or he’s super agitated and quick to snap verbally. He is pretty damn good at not being overly aggressive or yelling especially since we had our daughter

 

[Provis]

I should add when he is manic/hypomanic he doesn’t do crazy things, he doesn’t even drink.

He either is super happy and fixated on a bunch of tasks he never finishes or he’s super agitated and quick to snap verbally. He is pretty damn good at not being overly aggressive or yelling especially since we had our daughter

Typically a condition needs to be unfitting meaning that the medical condition prevents the Soldier from doing their job. There is a decent chance he may be able to stay in and that he may not even be referred to IDES. In the short term I would have your husband review medications with his Psychiatrist to try to see if one works that doesn't affect his job. For example, a Soldier might function fine on the Medication Lithium. That medication must be monitored carefully, a task that may be impossible in austere combat environments far from laboratories which would cause the Soldier to not be fit for duty. So finding a medication that helps that doesn't make your Husband unfit for duty as a Soldier will be key.

 

[Alabaloo]

Typically a condition needs to be unfitting meaning that the medical condition prevents the Soldier from doing their job. There is a decent chance he may be able to stay in and that he may not even be referred to IDES. In the short term I would have your husband review medications with his Psychiatrist to try to see if one works that doesn't affect his job. For example, a Soldier might function fine on the Medication Lithium. That medication must be monitored carefully, a task that may be impossible in austere combat environments far from laboratories which would cause the Soldier to not be fit for duty. So finding a medication that helps that doesn't make your Husband unfit for duty as a Soldier will be key.

He’s in the Air Force and was told it’s a mandatory MEB once he’s officially diagnosed. Which should be May 23rd

 

[chaplaincharlie]

A mandatory MEB does not mean he will be PEB'd. Nor does a PEB mean separation or medical retirement. What is the quality of his job performance? It sounds like his condition has never caused a legal or work problem.

 

[TallTree]

According to the Air Force's Medical Standards Directory (I think that's what it's called, I haven't looked since my diagnosis), Bipolar is not compatible with military service. Use of a mood stabilizer, such as lithium, is also not compatible with military service. There's a waiver for everything, of course, but it might be an uphill battle to stay in.