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I have bipolar disorder and take medications that make me foggy and confused. Because of this I am thinking of asking for extra time on tests. But I generally score in the upper half of my classes, even when I am taking my medication. Should I still register with the disability office?

Also, my advisor is teaching the class I'm taking, and many of the TAs are people I already know, who may think I am trying to game the system.

Edit: Also, do you think I should try to get accommodations for my qualifying exams? Or are those not a thing?

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    Related: Is it unethical to accept extra time on exams when I still do well?
    – Mad Jack
    Commented Mar 9, 2015 at 20:29
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    Congratulations on dealing with your diagnosed disability so far ... how much better might you be if you had the accommodations to which you may be entitled, supplied?
    – CGCampbell
    Commented Mar 9, 2015 at 22:38
  • @user: Check your school's disability office website. At my school there's special guidelines for psychiatric disabilities, and they specifically mention side effects of medication that lead to slower thinking or cognitive impairment. You have to get evaluated though.
    – Jennifer
    Commented Mar 10, 2015 at 0:39
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    Why accept being in the top half when a level playing field would allow you to show that you're one of the best? Please get the appropriate testing and accommodations to show your best effort.
    – T K
    Commented Mar 10, 2015 at 1:03

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The purpose of disability accommodations are to put students on a fair playing field. If you have a condition and if your physicians, mental health providers, and university disability office feel that it puts you at a relative and unfair disadvantage by making you foggy and confused, requesting accommodations sounds both ethical and wise. The fact that you happen to be a relative high performer in spite of your disability does not mean you are not at a disadvantage relative to your peers in this concrete way that can be accommodated for with extra time (for example).

The reality, of course, is that accommodations are not evenly distributed. In general, socially and economically disadvantaged students will be less likely to be diagnosed and provided with accommodations for their legitimate disabilities. There is also a sense that some people have that students will fabricate or exaggerate disabilities to receive accommodations that would help any student but that do not actually compensate for a legitimate disability. In this final sense, people might think you are trying to game the situation.

It would be wrong to game the situation but it doesn't sound like you are suggesting that. Despite others perception, it is both ethical and in your interests to be accommodated for your legitimate medical disabilities and I would definitely do it.

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