[WorkandDepression]

Like it says. I have a new job that's going to make my quality of life so much better. There's a hiccup and I'm trying to figure out how to deal with it.

Background: Last year, due to things with my job the stress was just more than I've ever had to deal with. I wasn't able to see my family much at all, finances were a struggle due to spouse going to school/ not working but still paying for child care, and I was making less money because I spent a considerable amount of time commuting/ couldn't get more than 40 hours a week on a regular basis. The stress killed my sex drive and that just did me in. Long story short, I got depressed, went on lexapro, which helped a lot, and I felt better. Ended up switching to wellbutrin due to the sexual side effects of lexapro. I am happy as a clam. Life is great.

Fast forward to November of 2014, ready to come off the meds because I think things are back in order. Doctor wants to keep me on the meds until March/ April because that gives me the best chance of not relapsing. Cool, I'm all for it.

Now I have gotten a job (starting in June), that is going to move me across country, but I'll make a lot more and I'll see my family every day (something I haven't known for almost two years). There's a potential catch though. This job is the type where I'm going to have to take a psych test and see a clinical psychologist before my first day, along with a physical.

I don't know what to do about telling them about my medication. I'm afraid if I do tell them, I won't get the job because of some negative stigma with depression (that honestly even I had before I had to go through it).

I'm afraid that if I don't tell them, they psychologist will find out. Or they will find out in my background check. I've always felt the truth is the best way to go, but I'm afraid this will risk me getting the job. Looking for any and all input.

[hvert]

Depression is so common - are there really jobs where that would be an issue? Do you know what the point of the psych eval is?

[JJBX]

Ok, I hate admitting this, but I have chronic PTSD and I have been able to skate through every psych eval thrown my way. It's because they're looking for signs that you're DANGEROUS or so unstable that you can't be trusted with some function of the job. You will be asked questions about whether you hear voices, believe strange things, have hallucinations, and have ever harmed people or animals. They will ask questions to gauge if you can't physically sit still, if you have racing thoughts, or if people have expressed concerns about your behavior to you (gauging for bipolar). They will also ask questions about how close or connected you feel to people, if you think lying and stealing might be justified, or if you ever have violent fantasies (gauging avoidant or borderline personality disorder).

At the very most, your test will come back to show that you're introverted and have an active imagination (I'm just guessing). Those just aren't things a psychologist will pick up on. You don't have to tell them about medication you're on. They cannot discriminate against you on the basis of you having depression or being on prescription medication. They honestly probably won't care all too much if it does slip.

You will be ok. feel free to message me if you have any questions aout psych evals. I have taken a bunch of them and I've even scored them for other people as part of previous jobs I've had.

[WorkandDepression]

So this job is for a nuclear power plant operations position.

I found out that it's fine for me to have depression and be treated for it as long as the meds won't affect my ability to do the job. They will have me see a clinical psychologist whether I disclose the meds or not. The psychologist should clear me to be "fit for duty".

I'm still kind of apprehensive about telling them though.

Just curious, why guess that I'm introverted with an active imagination?