Not really sure if this is the best place but i would be grateful for any advice...
I am currently doing a medicine course, during my second year i developed mental health problems and was subsequently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
I struggled through the next 2 years and my university was fairly hands off, i knew i could access support if i needed it and i kept them informed of what was going on but as i was still passing exams and doing fairly well i was allowed to continue.
While i was taking mood stabilisers i had some fairly serious side effects and the physical illness it caused really wasn't helping my mental state. Therefore against medical advice i came off medication last October, continued counselling and was honest with my university and occupational health about what i was doing.
Since October i have managed to keep well, i've been really careful about looking after myself and it's taken a lot of effort but i have managed to stay happy and complete all my placements as required. Because i am percieved to be vulnerable, my university asked me to see occupational health for monitoring monthly and I've been going. All the report say exactly the same thing, that i'm doing well on the course and am well in myself but the only way to manage bipolar is with medication and its a case of when not if i relapse unless i go back on medication.
On the basis of the OH reports i was asked to appear in front of a panel of academics that deals with any issues with students academic performance today. They told me that there are definitely no concerns about my academic performance but they are concerned about the vulnerability described in the OH reports. I explained why i disagree with the OH Dr and they listened and said that i put my arguement very persuasively and they were worried i was lying and masking any difficulties, but as its not an academic progress issue i need to go to see the professional standards commitee in April.
I am finding all of this incredibly frustrating, that i was ill for so long and now as i'm finally feeling better they seem to be making me jump through hoops based on nothing more than a diagnosis. Are they actually allowed to do this? After the meeting my IBS flared up which it hasn't for months and i'm concerned that the stress i am being put under through this is actually going to cause me to relapse. I have tried to explain this to them, but was told that they are acting in my best interests.
The next meeting will be a much bigger deal, i have to wait for 2 months which isn't ideal and then it's right in the middle of my exams - so i could really do without it. I feel like i am being discriminated against because of my diagnosis, even though everyone is saying that i appear well.