I sometimes wonder is it worth telling people. I mean you should be honest, but will anyone employ you if you say in a job interview 'by the way I have depression.' And you know the boss is thinking cuckoo HELLOOOO... and he puts an X beside your name and he tells you he'll be in touch, that means you will not be getting the job. That's the way most people think though, and they might have a point, sure medication can keep you stable but it is not always the end to breakdowns or sudden lows.
The employer has to be able to trust you 100%. That's why most employers hate when a female employee gets pregnant, if they had their choice they would hire women who had no interest in having kids.
But yea in general is it good to be honest? I mean if you date someone and start relationship they will see the medication and wonder what its for and eventually you have to say you have depression and that makes some people run a mile, and then you feel a failure or clumsy for being so honest.
I don't know, sometimes you can't win in life I guess.

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

I'm one of those people who wouldn't run a mile, because of the woman having depression, where relationships are concerned - actually, I'm more likely to run a mile for my own insecurities and fears.

I must admit, I can understand why hiring someone with depression, is a minefield, but yeah, ... let's just say that part of me is glad I can't work, because if that were to happen, I imagine trying to get a job the way I am, would be hilariously challenging, time-wasting, a nightmare, and probably a waste of money.

[Nerak67]

I would never disclose any health issue to an employer. It will only make them question your ability to give 100% to the job.

On a personal level I would only confide in people when there is a benefit to doing so. If I think they will be supportive etc.

The same would be true if I had diabetes.

[NWgirl2013]

I operate on a "need to know" basis in everything in my RL, from politics to religion to diet to healthcare to mental health. 99% of the time there is no need to know. In a job, I would never give anyone a reason to use information as a weapon against me. That can happen anywhere so I am careful. TMI is TMI.

I want and expect my privacy in everything (I say as I happily disclose pain & suffering in an open forum available to all!)

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

I want and expect my privacy in everything

Same!

I say as I happily disclose pain & suffering in an open forum available to all!

Also guilty! But that is what anonymity is for.

[ToeJam]

I have never told an employer about my depression when applying for a job... Just because work places are meant to be inclusive to conditions such as depression... does not mean they actually are. The current place I work knows about it now (since I had to take time to see a T and my behavior had become erratic) but as far as they are concerned it was something that is post employment related.

[bronzeowl]

I imagine trying to get a job the way I am, would be hilariously challenging, time-wasting, a nightmare, and probably a waste of money.

It is.

I don't even tell people, but it's not hard to tell. I wear it on my face as of late. And yeah. It's exhausting and time consuming trying to find a job. I would never tell anyone about it unless they were close family.

[Sadley]

I believe in being honest, but you don't have to tell them if they don't ask. The answer is no, you cannot get employed if you are already depressed, unless you can somehow fake it or trick them into hiring you. No one wants to hire a depressed person, it is just a bad idea for everyone. I'm glad I had enough energy to "fake it" to get the job I have at the time. But now I openly told my supervisor about my depression and she tries to help me. I probably shouldn't have said some of the things I said but I don't really care anymore. But she is super nice and understanding so that helps.

[Pierro]

Honesty is the best policy, not if you want a job. Your employer doesnt need to know the in's and out's of your life. That's best kept to people you can trust. Best wishes.

[Samanthagreene]

Personally, I think there's some people who need to know. If you're a kid, probably your parents need to know. But I also thinks it's really important to have one or two friends who know and if you're feeling terrible one day, you can call them up and they'll get it. Of course, you have to pick wisely. There's some friends I'll probably never tell.