![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mare on May 28, 1999, at 8:38:14
Now that I have been diagnosed as clinically depressed, I guess that my medical records will reflect this as a *mental illness.* I have been at the same job for 20 years, but have been thinking about leaving for new opportunities. Has anyone had problems with their diagnosis keeping them from job offers, or being accepted on a new insurance plan, etc., etc. I am a little concerned, since an individual's privacy, in this electronic world, is drastically diminishing. Thanks for your time.
Posted by Sean on May 28, 1999, at 15:25:46
In reply to Depression, and future employment... , posted by Mare on May 28, 1999, at 8:38:14
> Now that I have been diagnosed as clinically depressed, I guess that my medical records will reflect this as a *mental illness.* I have been at the same job for 20 years, but have been thinking about leaving for new opportunities. Has anyone had problems with their diagnosis keeping them from job offers, or being accepted on a new insurance plan, etc., etc. I am a little concerned, since an individual's privacy, in this electronic world, is drastically diminishing. Thanks for your time.
I have often wondered about this question, especially since
medical records are electronic and can get into
just about anybody's hands.I guess it is like any other condition, except for
an extra load of stigma. It is hard enough to come
to terms with this stuff on your own, much less
getting further tweaked by potential employers!I recently "came out" to my HR department and
excoriated them pretty hard for their discriminatory
payment for mental health benefits (I won't go
into it, but it was an awful, misleading situation)
The good news is that they changed the policy
this year. Of course now I am known for this,
but I say stick up for our rights...I would hope that future employers would not have
access to this information, but who knows?Sean.
Posted by Jeff on May 28, 1999, at 23:17:49
In reply to Depression, and future employment... , posted by Mare on May 28, 1999, at 8:38:14
> Now that I have been diagnosed as clinically depressed, I guess that my medical records will reflect this as a *mental illness.* I have been at the same job for 20 years, but have been thinking about leaving for new opportunities. Has anyone had problems with their diagnosis keeping them from job offers, or being accepted on a new insurance plan, etc., etc. I am a little concerned, since an individual's privacy, in this electronic world, is drastically diminishing. Thanks for your time.
First, there are laws in many states against discrimination due to mental illness. Most of them require an employer to provide "reasonable" accomodations to someone with mental difficulties. This is to say of course that this someone would be capable of performing the job description with such accomodations.
If you take a job that has mental health benefits in place, and you were covered for your mental illness by your previous employer in the 30 days prior to the new job's start date, then the new
"Pre-existing condition" law applies - the new insurance company is prohibitied by law from denying you coverage by way of a pre-existing condition clause. I think this law went into effect in July of 1997, and it was long long overdue.Next step is to prohibit pre-existing condition clauses altogether.
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 29, 1999, at 15:00:59
In reply to Depression, and future employment... , posted by Mare on May 28, 1999, at 8:38:14
> Has anyone had problems with their diagnosis keeping them from job offers
IMO, and this is my attitude when I interview candidates for positions in our department, the people you *want* are those who are able to acknowledge it when they run into a problem and then to ask for help in dealing with it.
Bob
Posted by phil on May 30, 1999, at 9:11:42
In reply to Re: Depression, and future employment... , posted by Dr. Bob on May 29, 1999, at 15:00:59
> > Has anyone had problems with their diagnosis keeping them from job offers
>
> IMO, and this is my attitude when I interview candidates for positions in our department, the people you *want* are those who are able to acknowledge it when they run into a problem and then to ask for help in dealing with it.
>
> Bob>>Well said, Dr. Bob. I work with people who think it's odd to take meds but consider it fairly
routine to polish off a twelve pack of beer every night.
phil
Posted by Jeff on May 30, 1999, at 13:57:38
In reply to Re: Depression, and future ..Dr. Bob , posted by phil on May 30, 1999, at 9:11:42
> > > Has anyone had problems with their diagnosis keeping them from job offers
> >
> > IMO, and this is my attitude when I interview candidates for positions in our department, the people you *want* are those who are able to acknowledge it when they run into a problem and then to ask for help in dealing with it.
> >
> > Bob
>
> >>Well said, Dr. Bob. I work with people who think it's odd to take meds but consider it fairly
> routine to polish off a twelve pack of beer every night.
> philAnd a "well said" for you too...I am routinely startled and the dichotomy in viewpoint to drugs depending on their legality. Most of america seems to think the following:
Illegal drug - use is immoral just because it is illegal
Legal but restricted drug (prescription) - not normal to use long term
Legal, unrestricted or slightly restricted drug (nicotine, alcohol) - no problem, use at will
It seems that there is some seriously faulty reasoning going on here.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.