[Joanne3]

Hello,

My name is Jo, I am 19 years old and live in Australia. I've been self-harming since I was 12 year old and since I was little I've fallen in and out of depression, where I've fallen into a really bad place for months on end. I guess I'm trying to get a hold of my emotions and try and stay on a stable 'normal' so I'm thinking of going to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist.

I'm studying a bachelor of International Relations and Business in university and I hope, after uni, to get a job in finance/ economics. I am worried that if I got see a psychiatrist that it will potentially affect my future career. Could anyone please give me advice on what happens when you see someone, does it get put on your record? Does it affect your ability to have a professional career? If I get diagnosed with a condition, does that affect your chances in a job selection process?

I just don't want to do something that will affect my chances of living a normal life.

Thank you!

[Travelinglady]

Hi, Joanne and welcome! Because of privacy laws, I don't think you need to worry about seeing a mental-health professional affecting your future career.

Hi It's nice to meet you. Every psychiatrist and clinical psychologist I've known has been in therapy or analysis. Some for training and some because they needed it.
If they can do it you can do it If you get a diagnosis you don't necessarily have to put that on your resume. Self harm and depression will affect your chances of having a normal life much more than therapy or a diagnosis will.

[Leed]

Hi Jo ~ Seeing a mental health professional does NOT hurt your chances of a career in anything! This is all confidential, and is NOT shared with ANYONE.

Depression and cutting isn't shared either! I think George meant that perhaps the scars from cutting could be seen, and depression is quite obvious if you don't have it under control. Hopefully with therapy, the depression would be controlled either BECAUSE of therapy, or perhaps because the therapist saw the need for medication also. That's what happened to me. My psychiatrist saw that while I still needed therapy, I also needed medication so he put me on some.

You CAN lead a 'normal' life if you're getting the proper treatment. I did, and I was in therapy off and on most of my adult life. So I wish you the very best, my friend. Please take care and God bless! Hugs, Lee

[avlady]

Joanne3Welcome!!!!!!!!

[Puffyprue]

Hi Jo, welcome here!

imo and experience its really depend on where you live and the culture there, in my country it does affected your carrer, what i meant its people here dont really understand about Mental illness , here is you seeing psychiatrist or psychologist people will think that you are crazy.
But you say you live in Australia and i think people there have more knowledge about mental illness and it wouldnt affected your future career.

[nicole84]

I live in Australia too and have a longgg history of mental illnesses. Various doctors, psychs. They aren't allowed to access files, I've even talked about getting into the health profession and have been assured that they can't. I'm sure some places do, but it's illegal.

[spondiferous]

Welcome to PC, Jo.
There's a lot of good answers here already so I won't add to them. I'll just wish you luck on your journey. Hope to see you around the forums.

I think George meant that perhaps the scars from cutting could be seen, and depression is quite obvious if you don't have it under control.

Jo I want to clarify that is not what I meant. I meant just what I said. Harming yourself and suffering from depression aren't normal or necessary and shouldn't be suffered for any reason. It's painful and debilitating. You don't have to go through life suffering.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by nicole84

I live in Australia too and have a longgg history of mental illnesses. Various doctors, psychs. They aren't allowed to access files, I've even talked about getting into the health profession and have been assured that they can't. I'm sure some places do, but it's illegal.

Joanne,

The question you are asking is per jurisdiction. I am glad you got Nicole's answer because Nicole IS in Australia. It would be bizarre for a country such as Australia to make job qualifications dependent on a mental health diagnosis.

By contrast, in the Soviet Union it used to be the case that certain professions were out of reach of people with mental health diagnoses and the government had broad access to records.

In most modern countries built on the western model you would be assured confidentiality of records; I am glad that Australia is no exception.