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Demolition Lover said: I know i'm quite terrified of applying for jobs and having to mention previous problems- which you have to do else they'd be asking what the hell i've been doing with myself for the past few years... but it is part of the 'equal opputunities' scheme in employment now and on par with skin colour. Even though i know they can't discriminate for having a mental illness, i still sometimes feel like it's a black mark against my name.

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I used to be concerned about that as well. Now, at least in the United States, we have the HIPPA (don't ask me what it stands for ) law. This law basically keeps all medical information confidential unless the patient specifically signs that info can be released to certain providers. At my current job, there were no questions at all about any health conditions when I applied.

As for questions about blocks of time out of work, I had a couple of those on my record when I applied for my current job. There are creative ways to deal with those.

During one of my depressive periods I was working at Hospice. During that time, 5 of my immediate family members died. With the family deaths so close together, it was not positive for me to also be dealing with death on a daily basis in my job. Also I was part of my Mother's support system at that time. So I tell the interviewers just that. Another of my past jobs was truly below my education and skill level but it was a Federal government job that hired a lot of people in this area at one timel My interviewer stated that "with your background and education, you will be promoted to management in no time." HA! I very soon saw the chronyism going on and the deals that had been made "under the table."

True, leaving those two jobs were partially due to depression, but what I told the interviewers was also true. I've never had a problem with those blank periods in my resume.

As far as the term "mental illness" - in one of the books I've been reading a scientist/Dr. who studies the science of Bipolar disorders says that the term mental illness is a misnomer. There is nothing wrong with our minds, in fact some of our most brilliant artists, politicians, leaders, etc. through the ages live/d with some type of what would be termed mental illness.

What IS wrong is biological (chemical imbalances in our brains) - NOT sociological or psychological. I generally say (if it comes up in conversation) that I live with a depressive disorder).

Hope that helps a bit.