[Fresia]

So I am trying to go back to work after over a decade. I know that things have changed some during this time. I wondered if anyone can tell me as I get closer to scheduling pre-employment/employment physicals:

1. Do I need to disclose my MH hx of BP?
2. Does anyone know the US laws by chance or where I can find them?
3. What are your beliefs about this?

I know there are pre-employment drug screens at all the places I am interviewing and due to the false positives for illicit drugs for some of the meds, I have to disclose those but that is not a direct indication of what they are taken for. They are also prescribed, so this is a concern but not as much of an issue as actually having to disclose the actual dx.

Any help, feedback, and thoughts are appreciated.

Meanwhile, I hope this finds you well. Take good care meanwhile and thanks again!

[Victoria'smom]

You don't need to disclose it nor would I. If they ask what you've been doing say caring for a sick relative.

[Fresia]

Good point. That is actually why I left initially from my last job as I became overwhelmed when my grandparents were declining and I had to move out state to take care of them; then when they passed, I returned to school to complete my degrees, so I have an explanation for the long gap in my work hx.

I am just dreading the medical questionnaires for employment physicals, if it asks anything about mental history. I am treated, stable, but I don't think it is any of their business, but yet I don't want to lie either.

[Angry1541]

Also, drug screens are pretty focused these days and most prescription meds don't show up....other than opiates...

[Sometimes psychotic]

You don't have to disclose anything---in my workplace they gave us a disability form to sign if we had what we considered to be a disability but there is nothing that says you have to consider your mental illness in any way a disability---there were guidelines as to what qualified. This was actually put in place to assist people with any accommodations they might require and not to single them out. In my case I work for the same person I did when I got sick we just moved locations so I had to be rehired by a different place. Also in my case my boss was among those who arranged help for me when I got sick(psychotic break) and not only does she know but she had to ask the chief of medicine for advice on who to contact to get me help. Even here her husband is the highest ranking medical official at the hospital and he knows just because it was part of her life. So I didn't have much choice in whether to disclose or not because everyone already knew and was very supportive as they would be for any illness. However I realize this is not always the case and I would not disclose it if I were starting fresh.

I don't believe there are any laws regarding disclosure but you would be protected under the americans with disabilities act if your MI is severe enough to be considered a disability. If the meds are working its probably not considered a disability.

[HALLIEBETH87]

When I had a physical for working with young children I was SO nervous because they asked about mental illness and I thought for sure they let me keep the job (id been there a week). But even though the Dr asked and knew the meds and why I took them (this was also a new Dr I was seeing...) she didn't write anything on the form. So they never knew about it until I disclosed it to my direct manager years later because, well, I was having serious issues and panic attacks at work.

Don't worry...its your business!

[BipolaRNurse]

You do not give up your right to privacy when you apply for a job. Discrimination against mentally ill individuals is alive and well, and while employers can't legally refuse to hire someone with such a disability, they'll find some other reason not to hire you.

If you are asked about your health history, find out what the information is to be used for and who will have access to it before you give it to them. Don't lie, but NEVER volunteer this information. It really is none of their business.

[Curiosity77]

Originally Posted by Angry1541

Also, drug screens are pretty focused these days and most prescription meds don't show up....other than opiates...

Benzos can test positive sometimes too

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[Angry1541]

Originally Posted by Curiosity77

Benzos can test positive sometimes too

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I suppose they are a drug with abuse potential.

[HALLIEBETH87]

if they ask about benzo and you have a valid prescription for it....they cant do anything. I don't think employers worry so much about anxiety. its so common

[crazycatlady_83]

When I was first diagnosed 7 years ago, I let my immediate supervisor know because it explained my behavior and we were a close group, somewhat. When I had to take stress leave, my pdoc never put on the note specifically why I was under stress, just that I was under his care and needed time off. I suppose they could do some research and figure out what kind of doc he is, but they never gave me any trouble and I continued to work there until last August. But I also wasn't a trouble maker. And when my doctor wrote a note saying I was staying off work pending permanent disability, they were still trying to find a way for me to stay working. I never even told my new supervisor, though I wasn't there for very long after she took over. Even when I was hospitalized. I just told her I was sick. I probably would have told her because it makes things easier for me, and I felt like I could trust her since she worked with me on my schedule all the time and I never had any problems with her.

I guess it all depends on where you work and who you work with if you tell your superior. Like I said, it made it easier with my first supervisor when she knew. Then I didn't have to give as much explanation when I needed to leave early due to a panic attack or just bad day and needing more than 1mg of Ativan to calm down. But I regretted telling some of my coworkers. They just didn't understand and looked and treated me differently. Still didn't stop them from talking down on those who had to go out on stress leave, or they are just ignorant pricks who don't care what they say and how they affect someone. Good luck on going back to work!

[Fresia]

I don't actually take Benzos, allergic, unfortunate on one hand but true for any med if prescribed, it should not be an issue for any of them. Just knowing that one med I take is an antipsychotic and the other is antidepressant, is enough to give them a clue though of MH issues even if there are not questions about history. So we will see what happens.

I am just praying there are not specific questions on the health history forms as there were once upon a time at some places and how to gracefully handle them if there are. I am scared of the stigma that I know still exists and though it is unfair, it is there. Perhaps I am worrying over nothing. I would like for it to stay private and do not trust that it would if required to disclose it. I don't think I can compromise on this. As long as I can do the job, I don't believe it should come up until for some reason that should change. I can't say BP will never will be an issue on the job because I have learned with everything to never say never but until then, I would like to keep it private.