Should I let supervisor know I have bipolar/AS

Post Reply New Topic

I am a grad student who is bipolar and probably AS. There are days when I can't face the world, an AS trait which many of you are familiar with. There are also times when I may dissapear for days. As I am writing my dissertation, the only explicit demands of the dept. are that I produce a satisfactory dissertation within a set number of years. My supervisor, however, has been unsupportive throughout and is quite demanding with handing in work on time and doing what he advises. He believes that I also need to attend lectures and teach and does not understand my dissapearances. As this guy is known to be quite ruthless, I am wondering whether I should just tell him that I have bipolar/AS and hopefully he will leave me alone. Really, the only job of the supervisor is to criticize your writing and not suggest you do things which are not mandatory.

Should I tell him directly that I have bipolar/AS or should I tell my very supportive university councelor and then perhaps he can pass the word on to the department? I have implied to him in the past that I am not a stable personality, but then few people know much about psychological disorders unless they've studied them. I resent intrusions into my privacy, especially by controlling individuals such as him, and don't want people, especially supervisors who hold a lot of power, to see me as a person with psychological problems. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Firstly, congrats on making it through the classes to reach the nice, (socially) much more relaxing level of writing a dissertation!

In my own humble opinion and in this particular situation: HECK NO! I wouldn't tell this guy anything preceisely because of the result you mentioned. He'll see it as psychological problems and it will follow you around. Especially since this guy is at a high level in the same field AND has control issues.

Look at it this way: There is a vicious dog barking at you. You want to stop the barking so you throw the dog a nice, juicy Bipolar steak. The dog quiets down and eats the steak and you think everything is better. But then, the dog finishes up and starts barking even louder because now he has learned that you'll reward him if he barks loudy.

It's better for this guy to think of you as a jerk than to have him branding you because he has no idea about Autism! I'm sure that from his view, the world is full of jerks.

I think you already know/sense this but just need a little confirmation. And also remember that you can always tell someone something, but you can never UNtell it. Be cautious.

I see what you are saying. I just wish people knew more about psychology. I advocate that anyone getting a college degree should do at least 1 Psychology course as part of their degree. People might perhaps be enlightened and recognize that others are different. I did not major in Psych as an undegrad but I did take 4 courses in it, including Abnormal Psychology. If I were an academic, I would recognize these differences and treat people according to their personality type and needs.....not everyone is the same.

I have also seen that nearly all people, academics included, can't be trusted to keep things to themselves when you tell them that something is private.

Perhaps you are right. He might just become more viscious if I do let him know. I don't want him to write "She is bipolas/AS" on a letter of recommendation for a future job.

Like ViperaApis, I strongly advise against informing your supervisor of any specific psych issue you are facing. Clearly, he is not your ally, and the risk of it turning badly is considerable. If it is possible, the best solution might be to try to change supervisors.

You are probably aware that many grad students have problems with their supervisors, so you are not alone. Perhaps the expectation that you teach is in your own best interest. If you expect a career in academia, competition is fierce and candidates with teaching experience have a leg up.

If you become truly desperate, discussing your plight with the chancellor might lead to a more sympathetic response from your department. The Chancellor probably has no direct authority over your department on such matters, but if he is highly regarded on campus this would help.

Wildgrape, are you an academic or have you navigated the entire academic system?

I wouldn't tell, based on your intuition about him it seems it would be handing him ammo. I would just lay low as possible and keep interactions to the minimal.

As a student, I navigated and worked in the system many years ago, and generally understand how it works. I have cousins who are/were professors, and my son is currently completing his PhD dissertation (and a niece recently completed her masters and is contemplating pursuing a PhD).

I am not as knowledgeable as an academic, but would be pleased to do my best to answer any questions you might have. Perhaps other academically experienced members here would add their thoughts.

If you would prefer to PM me, you are welcome to do so.

That is what I've been trying to do.....keep interactions to a minimal, but being the control freak he is, he wants more interaction than I am willing to give and recently demanded I meet with him next day without giving me enough time to prepare. It has come to a point where I dread the thought of him and dread going into his office and facing his suspicious questions.

I also feel that he, along with other people in general, are too personal with their questioning.

Have you got disability support at your university? If he is not supportive, then it may be best to go to the disability support first. It would also be best to go there before a crisis happens otherwise the university may think you are making excuses.

Bad Idea.

If you feel you need special accommodations from your teachers, then you need to go to the disability office, speak with a counsellor, and get the proper forms filled out. Once your status has changed, you can then give the disability papers to all your teachers (in fact, you're required to).

Once a student has reported a disability, things like extended time on projects, being exempt from meeting a specific number of hours in class etc can be accommodated.

This guy doesn't sound like he's interested in hearing your problems, and I highly doubt he'll change his expectations because you tell him you "sometimes like to disappear".

Yes. Go to your counselor first and get help setting up accommodations at the disability services office. Tell them you need to find a way to fulfill your requirements for your dissertation, and communicate better with your supervisor. You probably also need to figure out exactly what things are required of you, and what things can be dropped--the assignments you're supposed to turn in; the teaching you're supposed to do; etc.