[Blitter2014]

Hi All. In Australia, when you have a listed diagnosis, you are supposed to notify the authorities in charge of car licenses. They inturn have you assessed each year as to fitness to drive. I was unaware of this until I ticked a wrong box last year when renewing my license, and now have to yearly have a report filled in by my Psych Doctor to state I am ok to drive.

Trouble is, when I saw him last week he filled it out stating that I am both fit to drive and unfit to drive, depending on how I am feeling, even stating what the consequences could be if I drove whilst manic / depressed - erratic driving, speeding, aggression...etc etc.

Now, I asked for a copy of the report, but he was unwilling to change any of it. I will know in a few weeks whether they are going to let me keep my license or take it away. In the middle of this I am feeling fantastic, not needing to sleep, working all the time and generally high which is yay! Dang it feels good to be high! But what do I do? He wants to see me again next week (three weeks in a row) and I don't know whether to confront him about it or just wait and see what happens and fight it then.

Any Ideas?

[ArthurDent]

No ideas, Blitter. But it stinks. I'll keep hoping you have good luck with this.

Confront him, you need to know whats going on. I didnt know they could take your license off you for mental health reasons but it makes sense. If he has signed the documents, the licensing people will go by what he has said, so Im not sure you can fight it unless you get a second opinion (which I know is an annoying and expensive road to go down in Oz). Talk out what you are feeling with him. Im not sure how long you get to see him for but I see mine for an hour so we can really get through some stuff. Tell him your worries about losing the license and or being triggered. Im glad you are on the up though, at least someone is having some fun!

[Ruftin]

Ask p-doc how he expects to see you and get paid for it if you don't have a drivers license to get to appointments. This just burns me up!!! What happened to the right to privacy if the whole DMV knows were ill. You can drive at the age of 99 with cataracts and glaucoma if you memorize the eye chart. There must be a way to beat this too Blitter. Let's all put our heads together and think!!!!

[Wander]

As a fellow Aussie I feel for your situation. I chose to say I don't have any medical issues that effect my driving and will pay the fine and deal with the consequences if it ever gets noticed. Losing my licence would sink me in so many ways. I really hope you have some luck with the Licencing Department. Keep us posted.

[Curiosity77]

That is total discrimination! A person with a physical illness is also unfit to drive when acutely unwell, but OK otherwise. Do diabetics need a doctor's note? Are there any mental health advocacy groups in your area that can help? Terrible

[Nammu]

Unbelievable! What's your Pdoc thinking? Everybody has days when they shouldn't be driving, they want people to call into work and say, sorry I can't drive today I'm in a bad mood. Unfrickinbelievable.