Do anti-depressants disqualify u from fed gov jobs

[justme]

I've heard it depends on the job and the security clearance needed.

[ontrack]

I believe it would depend on level of clearance. They didn't ask me about any perscription drug use, but I don't have a clearance.

[ontrack]

Wouldn't he be in a worse position then, if he needs to be on them and stops? I would think a person on anti-depressants would be better than someone who was clinically depressed. But again, I don't know what level the person is applying for.

[justme]

If he was going for one with clearance and the application asked for it, he'd have to disclose it even if he stopped. (Don't know if it's better to stop it?) I have Secret clearance and I don't remember being asked about any prescription drugs I take, but it's been a few years so I'm not 100% sure.

[Sum Dum Gai]

If he stopped taking the anti depressants before he started applying for jobs, would it still count against him?

It could. It would probably depend on why he was taking them. When you get a security clearance they look back something like 7 years. There aren't actually that many things that automatically disqualify you, but any minor issues or red flags will be looked at. Something like that might come up in his interviews, and he'll have to talk about them, but that doesn't mean they automatically deny your clearance request or something.

[973beachbum]

DH appled for some fed jobs and was never asked if he took any Rx's. He also wasn't applying for annything that needed a security clearance.

[mmhmm]

First of all, it can be very dangerous to just stop taking an anti-depressant. Your dh needs to be weaned off the medication under his doctor's care. There can be some nasty results if you don't do it right.

To me, common sense would prevail in this case. Tell the truth. If asked, be honest. That's going to speak in your favor.

[midjd]

If he stopped taking the anti depressants before he started applying for jobs, would it still count against him? Hypothetically, of course.

I think it depends... if the job application asks him "Have you ever been on the following medications?" or "Have you taken the following prescription medications within the past X months?" then of course he has to tell the truth... but if he's not CURRENTLY taking them, then it probably wouldn't be a problem.

Still, I don't think it would be worth it to stop taking them on the presumption that they might disqualify him from a federal job (hypothetically, of course).

[mandyms]

They look at EVERYTHING. I remember having to fill out 3 different forms for all my former addresses for the past 5 years; a contact person who knew I was living at that address each time and their address/phone number at the time. Had to do a pre-employment physical, they asked about all past medical history.

And this is for a job with no security clearance. I think it just comes with the territory.

[wvugurl26]

I'm sure some positions don't require a security clearance. The posting should indicate whether you must have or obtain a security clearance. I have one, its not top secret and I don't even think its secret. I'll have to get my letter in my personnel file, HR dropped that ball.

Anyway for my group it was a 10 year look back period. I ended up with a shorter period bc 10 years ago I was a minor. 7 is probably more typical. And I just figured out why I have to go back 10 years.....

My packet asked in the last 7 years have you consulted with a health care professional regarding emotional or mental health condition or were you hospitalized for such a condition. If it is a yes you had to provide the professional's information and sign a HIPAA release.

Counseling for strictly marital, family, grief not related to violence by you is excluded. It does say mental health counseling in and of itself is not a reason to revoke or deny a clearance.

All of our questions said 7 years but we had to go back 10 or until we were minors for those of us under 28 when we got the clearance. I had to have everything under the sun including birthdates and addresses for stepsiblings I hadn't seen in more than 5 years. I only had to list people who knew me at addresses in the past 3 years though.

[Sum Dum Gai]

I guess if they're going to go back 7 years there is no point trying to wean off the medication.

Modifying behavior right before you apply is pointless when it comes to security clearance. They aren't looking for people who can meet their criteria for a couple weeks, they're looking for people who live that criteria on a day to day basis, and have been since before they even thought about applying for the job. Again though, the medication by itself probably won't disqualify him. Be honest about it, and don't try to hide anything. That's about all you can do. Just because he takes a prescription doesn't make him a threat to national security.

[midjd]

That's nuts, though (no pun intended). I have probably qualified as clinically depressed more than once in my life, but I've always been afraid to see a doctor, because that makes it "official" and I don't want it to work against me if I switch insurers/jobs.

You'd think they'd want medicated, sane people instead of the unmedicated, about-to-blow types

[wvugurl26]

I'd still apply unless its one that says you must have an active clearance. It depends on the type of clearance you are getting. They were crazy with mine bc it was apparently top secret. Taking them doesn't necessary disqualify them.

It just depends I know a guy who was going to be a three strike felon with a top secret clearance. I also know a guy who was denied top secret bc he was abused as a child. There is no hard line here. The 86 says it alone does not make the decision.

[Mrs. Dinero]

DH's best friend takes anti depressants and has top security clearance. He's a plumber though not MP.

[Sum Dum Gai]

You'd think they'd want medicated, sane people instead of the unmedicated, about-to-blow types

I think they actually prefer those of us without psychological issues at all. When you're hiring the guys who push the big red buttons that launch nuclear missiles* you tend to get pretty strict on the whole mental health thing.

* Yes, yes, I realize there is no big red button. You get the point though.

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

It shouldn't affect him, as long as the doctor says that he is fine/functional and he is honest about everything. Usually, the big problems with clearances come up when people try to hide things that are small because they think that they will be disqualifying. If you are hiding things (bad finances, bad health, etc), you are more susceptible to blackmail because you will do things (including give up secure information) to keep your secrets hidden (or so the theory goes). If you are up front with everything, it is a lot harder for someone to successfully blackmail you because your "secret" is already out in the open.

He should be fine for the job, if he was just depressed and on anti-depression meds. If there was violence or other crimes ivolved (like during a depressive episode), that is another set of issues and would probably be disqualifying because of the liability/instability.

[Mrs. Dinero]

He just applied and received a new position within the month at a different VA. DH & this friend have the clearance where they start asking neighbors questions along with anything in your background for the last 7+ years.

[Phoenix84]

I have a secret clearance. I applied for it in 2007, so I don't recall all the details, but I don't think they asked what drugs you were taking.

I don't know for sure, as I don't make those types of decisions, but my feeling is that no, it won't matter.

[Sum Dum Gai]

They don't ask about prescription drugs, that I recall, but they do ask if you've received treatment or diagnosis for psychological issues. Since your husband has the prescription, I'm assuming he was diagnosed with something that would require him to say yes to that question. It's never a good idea to lie on those forms, so if they ask, just say yes and explain the situation. It's probably not a big deal, but getting caught in any lie during the process will result in being disqualified.

[needanewjob]

This is the applicable section from the SF86
Section 21 - Psychological and Emotional Health
Mental health counseling in and of itself is not a reason to revoke or deny eligibility for access to classified
information or for a sensitive position, suitability or fitness to obtain or retain Federal employment, fitness to
obtain or retain contract employment, or eligibility for physical or logical access to federally controlled facilities or
information systems.
In the last seven (7) years, have you consulted with a health care professional regarding an emotional or mental
health condition or were you hospitalized for such a condition? Answer 'No' if the counseling was for any of the
following reasons and was not court-ordered:
• strictly marital, family, grief not related to violence by you; or
• strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment.

The Drug questions apply to Illegal use of drugs or misuse of perscription drugs.
He will sign a consent form allowing the investigators to talk to his doctor.

[decoy409]

'Do anti-depressants disqualify u from fed gov'

Of course not! With the TSA I am sure you would be welcomed!

[TheOtherMe]

When I was helping introduce employees to the IRS during their first week on the job, the advice we gave them was Do Not Lie On Your Paperwork. You'd be amazed at how many would want it back after we said that.

We had groups of 30 people and I'm guessing 10 would take their papers back.

Something that might seem like it shouldn't matter won't matter if you disclose it. It will matter if you don't.

I saw one person fired for not disclosing something on the background form. That is key.

[wvugurl26]

If he sees a position he's interested in he should apply. Antidepressants by themselves won't disqualify him from getting a clearance. There are various levels of clearance and not everyone gets grilled like I did. In fact the 2 lower levels don't even get an interview. Now that I realize people in my group carry guns, I kind of want them to grill everyone I don't need to work with a crazy guy with a gun and cuffs.

[midjd]

I think they actually prefer those of us without psychological issues at all.

Yeah, but that eliminates like 99.9% of the US adult population

I Googled it because I was curious, according to the Harvard Review 1 in 10 adults currently takes an antidepressant. I'd have to figure the % of people who have taken an antidepressant at some point in the past is a lot higher than that.

[wvugurl26]

I really don't know the answer. I think it would depend on reason for them, what doctor says and what the person making the decision thinks. I don't think there is anyway to know for sure. The forms clearly state that seeking treatment for mental health issues isn't an immediate disqualification.

[Deleted]

Dh has a secret clearance and the application was insanely comprehensive, but I think the medical part was pretty standard....names of Dr.'s, etc., current RX's, any procedures...

I'd answer, honestly, any questions concerning his health because they're going to get a copy of his medical file anyway.

Best of Luck to you..

[Sum Dum Gai]

Yeah, but that eliminates like 99.9% of the US adult population

That's why our jobs are so secure!

[973beachbum]

Apr 30, 2012 17:43:34 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

If he sees a position he's interested in he should apply. Antidepressants by themselves won't disqualify him from getting a clearance. There are various levels of clearance and not everyone gets grilled like I did. In fact the 2 lower levels don't even get an interview. Now that I realize people in my group carry guns, I kind of want them to grill everyone I don't need to work with a crazy guy with a gun and cuffs.

This makes more sense. DH applied for a few Gov jobs and they didn't mention anything about security clearances. I dont remember them asking anything that wasnt on a standard application except a few and still not about his childhood friends.

He was asked about how strong he was and if he could stand outside for long periods of time. They also asked if he was scared of heights, like 20 times. He was asked if he had a problem with picking up a gun and defending himself if the situation arose. But they didn't care about his childhood friends or what not, just his degrees, certifications and qualifications.

Then again maybe they have lower expectations for engineers.

[wvugurl26]

May 1, 2012 9:30:28 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

Apr 30, 2012 17:43:34 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

If he sees a position he's interested in he should apply. Antidepressants by themselves won't disqualify him from getting a clearance. There are various levels of clearance and not everyone gets grilled like I did. In fact the 2 lower levels don't even get an interview. Now that I realize people in my group carry guns, I kind of want them to grill everyone I don't need to work with a crazy guy with a gun and cuffs.

This makes more sense. DH applied for a few Gov jobs and they didn't mention anything about security clearances. I dont remember them asking anything that wasnt on a standard application except a few and still not about his childhood friends.

He was asked about how strong he was and if he could stand outside for long periods of time. They also asked if he was scared of heights, like 20 times. He was asked if he had a problem with picking up a gun and defending himself if the situation arose. But they didn't care about his childhood friends or what not, just his degrees, certifications and qualifications.

Then again maybe they have lower expectations for engineers.

I think it depends on the position and agency. I have engineer friends with top secret clearances who went through the whole interview process. I'm sure there are positions that don't require one or require a lower level one than top secret.

[zibazinski]

I do think it could disqualify you. It certainly does others from regular jobs that don't require clearance.