depression meds and getting hired

[AmericanChai]

I was just dx with mild/moderate depression which I have had for years but finally it was dx. I am on a low dose of antidepressant and feeling much better, able to focus better, etc. I am a pre-nursing student. I am wondering if being on this med and having this dx will impact someone's willingness to hire me once I graduate. If they ask about it I will of course tell them about my condition and medicine. If they don't ask, am I obiligated to tell them? I am just looking for advice. Thanks!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Thanks Woody for your participation in this discussion. I apologize if you felt trivialized, that wasn't my intention. My intent was to discuss. I'm not going to read your long post above. I stopped after the first couple of sentences. I'm choosing not to participate in this thread as I've said enough already.

We all have choices in life. I've made mine regarding my persronal mental health history and it's worked for me the last 20 years, it's so far buried in the past it's ancient history.

[leslie :-D]

i'm thinking the acuity of the illness, is will what determine if an employer or ins co, tries to deny a claim.

as far as depression goes, its prognosis is very good with antidepressants.

and so, the risk of lengthy and costly treatment is minimal.

but with an illness such as bipolar, there is a higher risk of inpatient hospitalizations and time lost from work.

to me, i think an insurance company would probably raise an eyebrow.

the bottom line is, how much is it going to cost them?

for those diseases with an excellent prognosis at minimal cost, there wouldn't be a problem.

anything less stable, will likely create a fuss.

and so, back to the op, i don't see where disclosing her being on antidepressants, would benefit her in any way.

if anything, it would infringe upon her rights to privacy, esp where it's not going to jeopardize her performance on the job.

same thing w/someone using antidepressants 20 yrs ago.

no one is going to really care.

i think it's all about risks:

risks of reinjury, risks of substandard performance, risks of potential cost to employer/insurance co.

anything that presents minimal risk, is something of little concern...imho.

leslie

[woody62, RN]

i'm thinking the acuity of the illness, is will what determine if an employer or ins co, tries to deny a claim.

as far as depression goes, its prognosis is very good with antidepressants.

and so, the risk of lengthy and costly treatment is minimal.

but with an illness such as bipolar, there is a higher risk of inpatient hospitalizations and time lost from work.

to me, i think an insurance company would probably raise an eyebrow.

the bottom line is, how much is it going to cost them?

for those diseases with an excellent prognosis at minimal cost, there wouldn't be a problem.

anything less stable, will likely create a fuss.

and so, back to the op, i don't see where disclosing her being on antidepressants, would benefit her in any way.

if anything, it would infringe upon her rights to privacy, esp where it's not going to jeopardize her performance on the job.

same thing w/someone using antidepressants 20 yrs ago.

no one is going to really care.

i think it's all about risks:

risks of reinjury, risks of substandard performance, risks of potential cost to employer/insurance co.

anything that presents minimal risk, is something of little concern...imho.

leslie

I don't you if you are referring to me or not but I would like to respond. Bipolar disorder, once diagnosed and the patient is put on the proper medication and the proper dose, the likelihood of hospitalization drops dramatically. I went for almost ten years with just a diagnoses of depression. I attempted to kill myself several times and I was put on numerous antidepressants, all without effect. My mental health problem was the result of a lack of lithium in my brain. None of the antidepressants I was on would have done a thing for it. It wasn't until I was seen by a doctor friend, in a manic state, that he recognized what was wrong and urged me to see a psychiatrist who specialized in bipolar disorder. Despite being in a manic state, I recognized my need and saw the doctor. He put me on lithium and hospitalized me until he could get me under control.

There are several types of depression, all of which can be managed with the right antidepressant. The trick is finding the right antidepressant. The problem is, too many PCP feel like they can manage it, when they cannot. And again, the relapse is lower then you may think. And most are bought on by stress, of any kind.

Perhaps with my age has come the acceptance that I suffer, from several chronic illnesses, all of which impact on me. I cannot cure them, I can only manage them. And I do not hide them, not from potential programs, not from BONing, not from other health care professional. But that is just me.

Woody:balloons:

[AmericanChai]

Thanks for the discussion. It's been very interesting. And thanks for your support, too. :)