Hypomania

Hello Sue...

I wasn't even aware you had to inform the DVLA regarding diagnoses of bipolar until I read it on various forums & I've been diagnosed 15 years.

That therefore makes me think that it perhaps isn't a legal requirement otherwise various health & mental health practitioners would be legally bound to inform patients of this fact. I can't have slipped through the net for 15 years & with the number of practitioners I've seen otherwise.

I therefore can't answer your question with clarity & definite knowledge.

I would question the 'need'?

Only you can honestly interpret your daughters symptoms & assess whether you think driving would pose any danger to herself & other road users?

Hypomania can pass fairly quickly & your daughter's license could have been revoked leading to potential problems revolved around not being able to drive, which could then in turn assist with inducing depression.

It is a challenging topic to discuss without all the facts & I'd say your informed opinion & decision along with a discussion with your daughter if she is still in a reasonable state of mind to listen? 

I know that once hypomania has taken a good grip on me, I can justify anything & not really listen to reason from others.

I still stand by not knowing whether it's a legal requirement & whether you could perhaps ease your worries, as you've perhaps got them regarding your daughter's driving for you to pose the question, by taking her car keys & suggesting she doesn't drive at present & if you drive & can assist, you do any driving for her.

That way there isn't any long term inability to drive beyond the hypomanic behaviour due to loss of license.

If this reply isn't of any help, at least know Sue I'm in support of you & appreciate the dilemmas faced with this disorder.

I will just add that if my mum was instrumental in me losing my license, I'd be very upset & angry with her & would prefer a discussion together. It would also almost certainly assist in my mood state flipping to depression after the hypomanic come down.

i hope you find out some more information & do the best by your family.

Take care.

Justine ;0)

P.s. Sorry I just re-read & noticed that you said is 'she' obliged to let the DVLA know & that it wasn't you that had intended to inform them.

Most of what I wrote makes sense, I hope?!  

;0)

Me again...

I've just researched online as I was intrigued myself.

it appears that if you don't declare & are then in an accident, you could be fined up to £1,000.

However the form for the declaration asks questions about dependency on drugs or alcohol, whether any medication makes you drowsy, whether you suffer from blackouts or confusion & is very generic & therefore general.

The DVLA site also dictates that declaration should be made for a number of MH conditions, some of which I feel are ridiculous & stay under the radar with a number of afflicted individuals.

Mainly because there's a wide range & spectrum to most if not all disorders & conditions & although there are patterns & similarities, symptoms manifest in a variety of forms & severity in each individual. So how on earth can they police the need for this declaration?!!

Since researching, just now, I've learnt that I should have declared at least 3 conditions that supposedly affect my driving!

RIDICULOUS!

I think it's a very individual & personal perspective that only you & your daughter can from conclusions on...

I don't see how my poor relationship with food, self esteem & lacking confidence affects my driving any more than a woman with premenstrual tension & a stressed man coming home from work?!

Before I rant any further I'll wait to read any response from you & gather some perspective from your point of views on this topic.

 

No problem...

The M1 is longwinded & if your daughter has a letter from the Dr saying she is fit to drive, then I feel that removes the need to inform the DVLA.

Also I'm not sure it states it's a legal obligation, just that if in the incidence of a caused accident, an undeclared condition 'could' result in a fine up to £1,000.

My feeling regarding myself is that I'd think it would open a can of worms & put me on the radar when the majority of time I'm absolutely fine.

As everything is stored electronically nowadays, it could influence insurance policies & quotes etc too...

Good luck.

I hope you both come to a decision soon.