How honest should I be at job interview about past mental health issues?

I am currently looking for a job. Because I was completely overwhelmed with guilt on two separate occasions when first my pets, and then my mother died, I spent ten years just temping. I did a lot for them but still felt terribly responsible when they died. I shoulda done this, I shoulda done that. I missed this and that sign. The guilt was relentless. I am not sure why I didn't look for permanent work at those times, maybe because I wasn't thinking about financial security at the time, I just wanted relief from the pain. I was a basketcase. I did seek therapy but it did not help much. However, the large chunks of time temping does not look good on my resume. All prospective employers have asked me about them and wondered why I did not look for permanent work. I never fully explained because I was scared of what they might think. But I didn't get most of those jobs anyways.

Now that I am on the job hunt again, how should I explain the temping years without nixing any chance I have for the job? I don't want them to think the same thing might happen again when my current pets die. I have fought hard to let go of the guilt and have climbed my way up out of the pit of despair. I have become an even more compassionate person. I think I can even handle things better when my current pets die. But I am scared to tell everything. How much should I reveal at interviews?

Oh I also suffered from chronic fatigue. (which probably contributed to the depression) I have had acid reflux for sixteen years and had to sleep with my torso elevated. Because of that, I had never been able to get a good night's sleep. I always woke up tired. However, in the past month, I have revamped my eating schedule somewhat and can now sleep horizontally. So I am finally able to get a good night's sleep.

Anyways, thanks so much if you have read this far. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Say nothing about MH. Just say u were a caregiver and permanent work didn't give you the flexibility.

I don't want to lie so I can just say I needed flexibility at the time which is kind of true. That's a great suggestion. Thank you!

I would also have suggested not to say anything about MH because it is always likely to be judged and you don't want your current state to be destroyed just because of issues of the past (since you know that you can handle things better now). That you need flexibility can be said without having to say about past, you can just say that you are a caregiver so at times you need time off or something.

but if you don't really wanna lie at all then do say a bit about past MH but sound like you are confident enough now not to repeat those in case of your present pets. And state clearly that now you know you can handle stuffs.

I wouldn't mention my MH during an interview. It's honestly none of their business. If they themselves don't have a mental illness, then they will most likely judge you. I've seen it happen at my last job and I gave them hell for it.

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you are not lying -- you are omitting something not required by law to disclose and against the law to be asked about. that is not lying. they can't ask about mental health (or at least you don't have to answer). never say you have a disability on those job applications. ever. there is no reason to. if you can say you are adequately capable with "reasonable accommodations" then that is all they need to know. at the interview you can discuss those reasonable accommodations.

right now, in this point in time, you are shooting yourself in the butt to say anything about mental ANYTHING. the mindset is "show no weakness."

Thanks for this thread. Since I am new here this caught my eye as I will be job searching soon and helped me alot! Thanks!!

Changing a behavior happens when, after experiences then you say enough is enough. This question is totally depends on what the past holds! Simple as that