Bipolar and related disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect a person\u2019s mood, behavior, and\u2014most relevant to the national security world\u2014judgment, reliability, and impulse control. Because of this, individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder are often subject to increased scrutiny during the security clearance process. However, an inaccurate or unsupported diagnosis can cause unnecessary problems. That\u2019s why it’s essential to confirm the accuracy of the diagnosis before it puts your clearance\u2014and your career\u2014at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Security clearance decisions are governed in part by Adjudicative Guideline I<\/a>: Psychological Conditions, which states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCertain emotional, mental, and personality conditions can impair judgment, reliability, or trustworthiness.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n While having a mental health condition is not disqualifying, unresolved symptoms or untreated conditions can lead to an unfavorable determination. For bipolar disorder specifically, the stakes are high: symptoms such as impulsivity, impaired decision-making, or periods of psychosis\u2014especially if untreated\u2014may raise serious concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, bipolar disorder is also frequently misdiagnosed. Research suggests that up to 40\u201360% of individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder may have received an incorrect diagnosis at some point in their treatment history (Zimmerman et al., 2008; Hirschfeld et al., 2003<\/a>). Misdiagnosis can happen for several reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These issues matter because a misdiagnosis not only delays appropriate care, but may also raise unwarranted red flags during your security clearance review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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What Bipolar Disorder Really Is<\/h2>\n\n\n\n