[yellowfrog268]

Assuming the question is not already covered on the application form, should a person disclose a personality disorder diagnoses to a potential employer? I ask because I know that there are stigmas associated with personality disorders specifically. For whatever reason, employers tend to accept things like depression or anxiety but when a personality disorder is disclosed, it's like the person has immediately been labeled a defective POS. But the downside of not disclosing is when the symptoms of the disorder rear their head and causes problems in the workplace.

So, is it better to disclose them up front with the hopes that there will be some understanding not only with the employer but maybe with other members of management or not disclose for fear of not getting the job or of being seen as defective or a freak by co-workers and supervisors and also running the risk that advancement in the company might not happen for you because supervisors or higher ups don't want to overstress you?

[Yoda]

Only disclose your mental illness if you will need accommodations at work. Otherwise it is none of their business.

[spondiferous]

Yeah, I agree.

I agree w/ the above responses. And is illegal to ask in most situations, under the ADA.

[yellowfrog268]

Thank you all for your responses but really the question is more about whether or not it would be prudent to disclose. Those with personality disorders know that it is likely that at some point, some symptom (maybe 2 or 3) might rear it's ugly head in the work place. So, is it better to forewarn or stay silent?

[healingme4me]

Stay Silent. If the person with the personality disorder is in therapy, then it's up to them to work through various issues with their therapist, to avoid these things popping up in the workplace.

I'd say, 'mum's the word'. Besides, why worry about something that may or may not happen. Can't predict the future. And those without PD's, may behave the same(perhaps) as people without under duress, etc. Point being, it could hinder employment, most employers are not well versed in mental illness.

And I'd be leery to consider that forewarning could be perceived as making an excuse for any future behavior? If that makes sense?

[jan16th]

Originally Posted by yellowfrog268

Assuming the question is not already covered on the application form, should a person disclose a personality disorder diagnoses to a potential employer? I ask because I know that there are stigmas associated with personality disorders specifically. For whatever reason, employers tend to accept things like depression or anxiety but when a personality disorder is disclosed, it's like the person has immediately been labeled a defective POS. But the downside of not disclosing is when the symptoms of the disorder rear their head and causes problems in the workplace.

So, is it better to disclose them up front with the hopes that there will be some understanding not only with the employer but maybe with other members of management or not disclose for fear of not getting the job or of being seen as defective or a freak by co-workers and supervisors and also running the risk that advancement in the company might not happen for you because supervisors or higher ups don't want to overstress you?

If they do not specifically ask, I WOULD NOT VOLUNTEER the information. In general there is NO UNDERSTANDING of people with our kind of problems. You have already stated the reasons why. An employer is mainly concerned with six things 1. Attendence 2. Punctuality 3. External /Internal Concerns about you 4. Are You Workling Safely? 5. General Appearance 6. Are you actually doing the job? As long as you can do those things, your mental issues is none their business.

as i said in another thread asking the same, if you are taking medication it might be good to mention that, and that you need to be able to get to your medication when you need it, but they don't need to know what the medication is for. as long as you can perform your job according to reasonable expectations, it's a need-to-know basis.

if you get a job and you feel as though it is necessary to tell your manager at some point, wait until after your probationary period has passed (usually 30 to 90 days) so that they can't fire you without having proper cause.

[albrecht86]

This thread is a bit reassuring to me personally, I would feel very uncomfortable disclosing my problems at a job form. Heck, I found it a bit weird registering on this forums required me to put a ZIP code and such!