On a psych evaluation, what if...?

Question

...What if in the past (like when I was 14 or 15) my parents had forced me to see some "family counselor" or whatever and they pushed anti-depression meds on me because I was "too quiet" in school and at home, and they tried to "diagnose" me with lots of random "illnesses" because my parents were pretty much making up problems I had and using them to blame their failing relationship on, and I had no choice in the matter of taking the medications or going to see the counselor? I know this is a pretty stupid question and makes me sound like some creepy wierdo trying to get into the police force, but I'm just a 17 year old female who has a steady job and good grades... Is all that stupidity on my parents' and counselor's part going to effect my chances of getting hired, or will I be able to explain this to whoever looks over my records (if they do)? I know this is a pretty random/weird question, so thanks in advance for any serious answers :)

I'm not saying my parents "messed me up," they just made an idiotic decision that happened to involve me, and I really don't care, I'm just curious as to if the result of it is going to affect me... (I was just trying to explain WHY those things were on my record, I wasn't trying to blame anyone really...)

Basically my point is this: I don't have any "issues," or really even care about what's been done, I'm just concerned at what was alleged about my mental health in the past will effect me... I guess I should have been more clear on that...

Answer 1

Just explain the situation to your interviewer and they will most likely be OK with it.

Answer 2

Counselors label people for one reason primarily, in order to get paid!

I doubt if many were Ph.D.'s, much less Psy.D.'s, and none conducted a psychiatric evaluation! If they were psychiatrist, which are the only ones who can subscribe meds, they can't do psych evals!

I would think it should be a non issue, however if it becomes one, see a Psy.D. and have a psych done.

Being depressed at 14 is not something that is unusual for teenagers at 14!

Answer 3

Your psyche evaluation will have less to do with your medical past than with your current mental health. You will be given a pretty complete, one-on-one mental health screening which will also include questionaires about your current attitudes and how you felt about your past and scores of other factors.

One bit of advice: If you go on stressing about how your parents messed you up and how you feel that there is no revocery from your past problems, then you will be sabatoging yourself. Perhaps you should be into counseling BEFORE you apply to the department. You CAN get past those issues and feel better about your current self.

THAT is the kind of officer I'd like patrolling the streets of my city.

I know that one guy said that "they" cant access your past medical history without your permission. Then he advise you that you can sue their @sses. What this (I won't write what I felt like calling him) didn't tell you is that the Police departmet will require you to release the medical records as part of their conditions of employment.

They won't look at your medical records without your permission. They won't HIRE you unless you let the look at your records.

Answer 4

It will not affect your chances of getting a job.
Your medical records will show your diagnosis, and list the meds you took. It will also show the dates. Anyone looking at it will just assume you were a normal, depressed, teen who got over it as she grew up.
If you are asked about it (probably won't be), try not to get too specific - "my parents had me treated for depression when I hit puberty, but after a couple of (months/weeks/years) we got a second opinion and I was taken off the meds."

Answer 5

It's a really good question. If you can explain this to an interviewer, then you stand a good chance of being accepted. Many departments, do psych evaluations on candidates, so they could see what you are really like.

Answer 6

You will have to pass psychological tests and background checks for the police department. I can guarantee that. Now whether those checks have the capacity to reach back into your adolescent medical history, I honestly don't know.

Answer 7

It is against the law for a mental health agency to release your personal records to anyone but you or your legal guardian or a handful of other social services agencies (CPS, hospitals,etc). If they release it to an employer, you should sue their asses.