Hi All,
I have currently passed a polygraph & a background investigation for a California LE agency. I have a clean background & I thank the antipolygraph website helping me through the polygraph. I am a very honest person but I am now dealing with a dilema of trying to figure out what to disclose for my pysch and medical. I have taken some anti-depressants briefly three years ago for some social anxieties in college and have also taken them briefly about ten years ago for some depression. I am currently fine and do not need those medications. I'm not that worried about taking the MMPI but am worried if the psych doctor asks about my past mental or medical history. Should I disclose any of it?.. Should I deny taking the medication that I've taken in the past? If I told the psych doctor that I've taken anti-depressants, can the Psych doctor force me to sign a medical release form in order to look at my medical files? If I refuse to sign a disclosure statement and did not allow for him to see my past medical history, would I be DQ? My friend is now working for a different LE than I applied for and has a similar background to mine and denied ever having any problems to the psych doctor. He passed & got his job. Can the California LE agency I'm applying for, force me to disclose my past medical info? I'm very much concerned as I don't want this to ruin my career. I just don't want to feel like a criminal or something just because I tried to seek some help for something I thought I had years ago. Please I would appreciate some much needed advice. Thanks
In my personal opinion, I would go ahead and tell them about those things. Play them down as if they didn't bother you, though. Offer the overview and let them ask the details. Why are you so concerned about your past? Do they impact you now? If you want to hide them for whatever reason, what would that say about you? Are you really over them? If you are, what is there to be ashamed of? Human nature? It shows people that you can admit that there have been hard parts in your life (we all have been through them) and that you know how to seek help when you need it. If for some reason they were to find that you were hiding something, they would question what else was hidden. (Things tend to come out. I've had a like experience) By telling them, you are basically giving the message "hey, I'm human and I'm not perfect, but I can overcome whatever comes my way". It says you can accept yourself for who you are. :) But that's just a silly girl's opinion.
This is actually quite a tricky situation since having some sort of mental health problem carries a negative stigma to it. You don't want to be mislabeled. While I have never been in your position, I have sat on many hiring boards and can offer you this insight.
I would not have a problem disclosing this information to the actual psychologist or pshyciatrist as they know what they are talking about and will properly evaluate you concerning your suitability for the job. It also is a plus that you did go seek out help with your problem.
I would not, however, mention any of this to any of the HR people or the background investigators or anyone in the department. It is none of their business and they do not need to know about it.
http://www.las-elc.org/mhealth.pdf
https://www.1stoplegalforms.com/FormLs/FL_0006.asp?Page_ID=4
SO to sum it all up
1. Yes, be honest with the psychologist. He may request your file from your previous doctor or he may just run an evaluation on you without it.
2. You do not need to tell anyone in the department about this information.
3. Good luck