THere's nothing you can see a psychiatrist for or go on meds for that can jeopardize your license. The doc is not legally allowed to voluntarily report anything to the state licensing board. They are also not allowed to discriminate based on any medical or psychiatric illness you have if they did find out. For me, I had a nursing (RN) license in one state and was going to be moving to another state so I needed to apply for a license in that state. I was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder after I had the original license but before I applied for the new license. When I applied in the new state you had to voluntarily disclose if you've ever been treated for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or any other psychotic disorder. I of course had to reply yes but the only real difference is that I had to get a statement from my psychiatrist, therapist, show hospital discharge summaries, and I had to submit a letter myself. It took about a month longer to get approved as the application has to go through an additional hearing process where it's reviewed by a board of physicians and lawyers. In the end, even though I had been hospitalized twice, once with psychotic features, and my pdoc is dumb and barely wrote a statement, they said my statement and my therapists statement showed I am committed to treatment and there were no concerns raised from anyone that I couldn't safely practice nursing. It was a stressful time, waiting and feeling inadequate, but in the end everything worked out. When I spoke with the lawyer at the board of nursing she basically said all they look for is someone who is accountable and being responsible for their treatment (meaning complinat with treatment and meds). They frown on people who aren't compliant or who don't get help.

My advice to you is to worry more about how you feel than your license... without treatment things could get worse and then your license could be in jeopardy if you do something weird at work or what-not. I would encourage to talk to your therapist and see if he/she has recommendations on a psychiatrist he/she works with. I'm sure they would have a suggestion. Getting on meds that work is annoying. It's a really long process (2 years and counting for me) but throughout the process for the most part I have had more good times than I had in years. It's worth it in my opinion because you don't have to feel the depression all the time and you don't have to worry about as out of control hypomania/mania that you experienced. WHatever you decide I wish you the best. Welcome to Psychcentral... it's really a great place.