To disclose mental illness or not to disclose?

Hi guys. So I was wondering whether I should disclose my mental health illness when completing applications. I usually don't because I am afraid of negative bias, buuutttt then I feel lame for being afraid of lame HR. What do you think?

 

Assuming you're in treatment for it, and it's under control, I'd keep that to yourself.

Coming from a family cursed with depression and anxiety, I'm a big mental health advocate, but that doesn't mean everyone out there is.

I could be out of line on this, but all you need is one person to not understand and you could lose your shot.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Tough call and I'll let others give you better qualified advice.

Entirely possible to be hugely successful. Winston Churchill is a famous example (of many).

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 
peremium:
There's zero upside, only downside. Definitely keep it to yourself.

You don't want that to be their first impression of you and potentially share it with future colleagues. Don't let it define you.

I hate that there is a stigma around it but the simple fact is that there is. Hope you're doing well and have it under control.

I believe he is referring to the page when you're applying that asks if you have a qualifying disability. In that case, there is decent upside - this is required for employers to keep track of the amount of Americans with Disabilities they employ, and they get about a $6k per year tax cut per employee IIRC.

If it is outside of that context, sounds illegal to me.

I wouldn't hesitate pressing "yes". You don't have to say what it is. Diabetes, other common issues no one gives a f about are on there as well. Could actually help your chances.

 

I'm with you in the family history. Keep that (and similar issues/weaknesses) to yourself. HR talks a big game about confidentiality, safety, etc. Bullshit. HR works for the company, and it's like a pack of hyenas following a herd of wildebeest. They are looking to pick off the weak. Never let them see you bleed. You need to be the squared away motherfucker who is highly competent, enthusiastic, follows the rules and guidelines and is likable by his teammates. Save the disclosure stuff for your therapist.

 

There goes my pitch. Hello Tiff. So just to disclose I have this thing called bipolar but don’t worry, it’s capitalised! Hypomania means when I’m good, I’m fcking out of this world (do you really think a normal sane person can have a CV like mine? Come on work with me T!!!). “But the downs……”. Tiffany… I’m the crown jewel of a narcissist father!! There is no room for feeling if you’re too busy working. I know what you’re thinking… ‘Jesus that must stink’. No Tiffany. That means STONKS!! No one is better at acting like life is fantastic than an overachieving young woman that grew up being told “an A!? How many people got an A sta???”. And you know what, it’s actually great news for you since I can handle any narcissist and make them eat ice cream off of my palms (the secret is talking to them like a young child or golden retriever. Well, that– and minor manipulation). But don’t worry, I would never do that to anyone in-house (white looks great on you, by the way). Speaking of neutrals reminds me of the diamond my friend gifted me for Christmas. He’s a De Beers. We’re just friends. Oh I think you’d be a perfect fit with him. His name is Théodore. Omg. Omg. OH. MY. GOD. Your name is Tiffany. His family name is De Beers. This is so meant to be!!! ... so about those extra vacay days....

 
punctuationnotallowed:
There goes my pitch. Hello Tiff. So just to disclose I have this thing called bipolar but don’t worry, it’s capitalised! Hypomania means when I’m good, I’m fcking out of this world (do you really think a normal sane person can have a CV like mine? Come on work with me T!!!). “But the downs……”. Tiffany… I’m the crown jewel of a narcissist father!! There is no room for feeling if you’re too busy working. I know what you’re thinking… ‘Jesus that must stink’. No Tiffany. That means STONKS!! No one is better at acting like life is fantastic than an overachieving young woman that grew up being told “an A!? How many people got an A sta???”. And you know what, it’s actually great news for you since I can handle any narcissist and make them eat ice cream off of my palms (the secret is talking to them like a young child or golden retriever. Well, that– and minor manipulation). But don’t worry, I would never do that to anyone in-house (white looks great on you, by the way). Speaking of neutrals reminds me of the diamond my friend gifted me for Christmas. He’s a De Beers. We’re just friends. Oh I think you’d be a perfect fit with him. His name is Théodore. Omg. Omg. OH. MY. GOD. Your name is Tiffany. His family name is De Beers. This is so meant to be!!! ... so about those extra vacay days....

The hell did I just read? Username checks out.

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

There goes my pitch. Hello Tiff. So just to disclose I have this thing called bipolar but don’t worry, it’s capitalised! Hypomania means when I’m good, I’m fcking out of this world (do you really think a normal sane person can have a CV like mine? Come on work with me T!!!). “But the downs……”. Tiffany… I’m the crown jewel of a narcissist father!! There is no room for feeling if you’re too busy working. I know what you’re thinking… ‘Jesus that must stink’. No Tiffany. That means STONKS!! No one is better at acting like life is fantastic than an overachieving young woman that grew up being told “an A!? How many people got an A sta???”. And you know what, it’s actually great news for you since I can handle any narcissist and make them eat ice cream off of my palms (the secret is talking to them like a young child or golden retriever. Well, that– and minor manipulation). But don’t worry, I would never do that to anyone in-house (white looks great on you, by the way). Speaking of neutrals reminds me of the diamond my friend gifted me for Christmas. He’s a De Beers. We’re just friends. Oh I think you’d be a perfect fit with him. His name is Théodore. Omg. Omg. OH. MY. GOD. Your name is Tiffany. His family name is De Beers. This is so meant to be!!! ... so about those extra vacay days...thithis is obviously a JOKE jfc

 
punctuationnotallowed:
Hi guys. So I was wondering whether I should disclose my mental health illness when completing applications. I usually don't because I am afraid of negative bias, buuutttt then I feel lame for being afraid of lame HR. What do you think?

I assume you're referring to the page where they ask if you have a disability, which Bipolar disorder qualifies as one. If so, say yes - it is merely means for them to track the amount of Americans with Disabilities they employ, and they get a tax credit. Likely helps your chances.

If they are asking about specific diseases outside of that context... doesn't sound legal.

 
punctuationnotallowed:
yes I meant that one. i was worried they would be able to follow up and ask with me having an obligation to disclose.

No - don't think they legally can.

If you haven't yet filled it out, saying yes won't hurt you. The company just wants the $6k tax break for employing someone with a disability. I actually think it helps.

Ton of qualifying chronic ailments are listed, they won't know what it is.

 

It's a discussion you might have to have with your supervisor or HR once a trusting relationship has been established. (By all means, if you are in the right environment to share it, do!) Sadly, mentioning it at the application stage has a risk of reflecting negatively.

As Malta Monkey said above, "Fuck the corporate world. They're wrong. Doesn't mean you don't have to play by their rules (unfortunately)."

 

Mental illness will be seen as mental weakness. There's no upside here, just keep your mouth shut and start seeing a therapist if you need it.

 

I'm sitting here with diagnoses of being ADD (no H) and OCD before I was ten. I'm also sitting in on propositions for funds from Goldman these days (Suspicions about why GSAM may have passed and making the pass call are fun.) Never let AD(H)D or OCD derail you, they are as much of a benefit as a detriment. The difference between genius and madness is a matter of degrees.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

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