Applicant for public trust (SF-86). Applicant was mis-diagnosed with bipolar I disorder almost 5 years prior to application. The diagnosis was quickly overturned on follow-up. The treating physician gave the opinion that the applicant did not have bipolar, but probably had PTSD. The physician took the patient off of the bipolar medicine, stating that the diagnosis was inaccurate and inappropriate for the patient.
Applicant got away from scary domestic abuse situation that was the cause of the PTSD like concerns. Applicant established own household, follows careful safety plan to keep safe from abuser. Applicant does not have Mental Health symptoms and recognized the fact that distress was due to constant exposure to partner’s threats, violence, instability, etc. Applicant feels normal. Applicant also received medical treatment for other conditions whose symptoms overlap with mental health conditions and is normal. One of those conditions was an infection.
Since that time, applicant has recently received letter of clearance upon re-evaluation from independent doctor, who stated that the applicant does not currently have any symptoms of any MH disorder or any mental health diagnosis, etc.
Is it required to disclose the misdiagnosis of bipolar when the applicant never had bipolar to begin with?
Applicant is applying for public trust but is hoping to upgrade to Top Secret in the future.
If it is required to disclose, how should applicant address this issue?
Should applicant give up hope and withdraw applications and find other line of work?
To be clear, applicant never was and is not bipolar, but records may exist somewhere.
Thanks,
Friend of applicant