working in your disorder's field

Hi. So... A few years ago I had a psychotic episode. Definitely learned a lot and also received a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder. Fast forward to present, I am an aspiring senior majoring in psychology looking at a research assistant position studying the early warning signs of psychosis. Weird right? I am wondering if I should tell my interviewer/maybe future boss about my episode.

Should I generally tell my boss or co workers about my disorder when they are deeply interested in the subject? Should I steer clear from that subject?

I myself have asked the very same question. As someone who has suffered from mood disorders since childhood and works in the field of social work, I would not tell a boss, professor, co-worker, etc. about my experience with bipolar disorder unless I had established an extremely close, trusting relationship and even then I would be wary of sharing any details. The mental health stigma still exists even among mental health professionals and I would not want anyone to treat me any different than they would any other employee. If thought sharing may benefit me in some way, I would consider it, but even then it's risky. There has been one occasion out of my handful of jobs/internships where I told my field instructor that I had bi-polar disorder. That however was because I was severely impaired at the time and had a break-down in the middle of the day. I felt a relief telling her and know that she was keeping it in confidence, but I know that with other supervisors it would not have been a wise decision. I would strongly urge you to wait and at least establish a relationship with this person before you make any moves. Ultimately, it's your call and what you feel comfortable with.

My psychiatrist always told me not to involve my personal experience with subjects of psychology. I'm not sure how the psych field is about the stigma of mental illness, but my neuropsychology friends don't mention their illnesses to anyone.

Yeah, I've gotten the same advice. I have a bachelors in psychology and I'm attending grad school, I didn't mention my mental illness in interviews or essays and I don't think I will. People still tend to look down on you and see you as lesser if you have mental illness. I'd keep it to yourself and just work your butt off.

Agreed. I knew somebody that said she was PTSD in a masters interview and they gave her a hard time. She eventually got in anyway but she regretted it.

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Agree with other posters, your mental health is your business, don't tell them. My psychiatrist said the same thing, your mental health is your business, you don't have to disclose that information, especially if it can be used against you at some point (which it very likely could). Don't give them a stick to beat you over the head with. "The nail that sticks up above the rest will get hammered down first"

I have a good friend in AA who also has mental issues. Her career and masters are in psychology & social work. She never mentions this info and I would say never trust anyone in a work setting with your MI. Stuff gets around, even in the halls of Alcoholics "Anonymous"

I would not mention it. Instead, use it for possible insight in your work.

I don't think it's weird. I think it's part of resilience, growing from your challenges instead of getting stuck in them. You could mention it or not, based on what you feel. Personally if I were you I would consider this to be my privacy and I would not tell a boss about it (much less an interviewer). However you could use the information you have from your experience and also tell people at work that you get close to and start trusting.

I think it depends where you come from with it.

Peer work is kind of the "next big thing", really. In much of the mental health field, all kinds of organizations are dying to get a hold of people who have had personal experience similar to those of their clients, who have a good head on their shoulders so they can be trained to provide support, education and advocacy skills to their clients.

So... i think it also depends if YOU present it as a strength or weakness?

I know a lot of people who are using their experience as a mental health consumer as an asset, and they bring to the field- as a professional at this point- something many others can not... everyone from public health organizations to hospitals to insurance companies are scrambling to get peer employees.
Opinions are changing.

It's the latest thing, really. I think those who are resistant to it are being seen or soon-to-be seen as wanting to shut out those they claim to serve.

I only know because I've been pursuing these positions myself and know people who are currently working in these positions.