Worried about pre-employment medical form

LegacyUser

I recently got offered a job subject to satisfactory references and a satisfactory medical check. I found two people who agreed to give me references and wasn't too worried about the online medical. That was, until I sat down and completed it.

I was first treated for depression about five years ago. Since then, I don't so much get depressed anymore but it has moreso manifested itself into anxiety. The form asked if I have ever been treated for depression, had I ever been under the care of a psychiatrist, had I ever been treated for other mental conditions and was I on any medication (I am still on anti-depressants). I'm an honest person and didn't want to lie on the form so I had to answer yes to all of them. There was another question that asked if I had any hobbies; I answered no, thinking that it was looking for dangerous hobbies like mountain climbing or skydiving or something but it occurred to me after that the form now makes me come across as a neurotic mess who's overly stressed and has no balance in life. When I had it completed a message came up saying that further information would be needed and that somebody would be in touch, and I didn't take that as being a good sign.

I'd been unemployed for a while before landing this job and it was tough to get it because I don't have that much work experience; landing this job was such a weight off my shoulders and I know I can do it well. I think the confidence I'll gain from having a job and being independent will make dealing with other issues in my life so much easier (I've already had my dosage of medication reduced and due to have it reduced again in a few months) but now I'm feeling extremely anxious that this form may have damaged my chances of getting the job.

Has something like this ever happened to anyone before? Has being open and honest about mental health problems ever cost you a job? I'm really nervous that I may have screwed this up.

dellas1979

Zola_familiar wrote: »

Has being open and honest about mental health problems ever cost you a job? I'm really nervous that I may have screwed this up.

Dont worry It is for their welfare, as well as yours, to know these things, and they cant discriminate against you because of your depression. The job isnt suddenly going to dry up (everyone *back* away from her now).

You were open and honest.

If you ticked, for example, a box about having a heart problem, I bet youd get the same response. With any condition, they just want to know more.

Isnt it ironic though to do something like that online, where the honest responses, sends the user into a panic.

neemish

Honesty all the way is the best policy. The person who assessed me told me that if I had been willing to lie about my health, what else would I be willing to lie to my employer about.
Plus, once you get the job it can help if someone at work knows the situation. They're not going to tell everyone, but if you have a bad episode they will be in a better position to help.

Best of luck!

Zen65

Zola_familiar wrote: »

I'm really nervous that I may have screwed this up.

Don't worry.

At most they will ask you to get a letter from your doctor confirming that you are fit to work in the role you've been selected for. You'd be surprised at the number of people in any office who are on medication (or receiving other treatment) for anxiety, stress, depression etc. It really is not as big an issue as you may think it to be.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the reassuring replies, I do hope you're all correct and that it'll all be ok. I wouldn't be worried at all if I told them I had a heart problem or that I suffered from migraines or asthma or something like that. But depression and anxiety have such stigmas attached to them and I don't want the HR people to suddenly think of me as a nutjob who's gonna call in sick every day. I went to my GP and told him about the form, he said they could contact him to confirm that I was perfectly fit for work but there was no opportunity to put those details on the form.

I know I'm probably worrying about nothing, it's just that getting this job offer was the best thing to happen to me for a while and I know it's a job that I can do really well in, so the thought of the offer being rescinded is unbearable.

LegacyUser

Hi OP,

I've been in your situation twice and neither time did it affect the job offer.

The first time was a number of years ago when I had to do a medical and I was on anti-depressants at the time. I was actually in the process of coming off them and I was honest about it with the doctor. After the medical, I was asked to give my consent to them contacting my doctor which I gave and I never heard anything more about it. I worked there for 6 years.

I was offered a job recently and I had to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire. One of the questions asked if I'd ever been treated for a mental illness / depression and I was tempted to lie as it has been about 5 years since I was treated. I read up about it and found out that there could be repercussions down the line if I ever need time off due to depression (hopefully not!) and it comes out that I didn't disclose it.

So I answered 'yes' and I was contacted by email shortly after for further details which I provided and that was the end of it. I've been working in that job for a month now.

I'm sure you'll be fine too.