Postal Letter

Can taking medication for anxiety effect employment opportunities?

For the past few months, I have gone under major amounts of stress and anxiety. I am considering asking my doctor for a medicine to lessen these symptoms, but I am very concerned that this will affect employment opportunities in the law field (ex: legal assistant, lawyer, judge etc.) Will being proscribed a medication that treat anxiety be seen as a sign of emotional or mental instability? or cost me a good job? This information is key before I decide to speak with my doctor. Thank you.

Public Comments

1. They will only know what prescriptions you are taking if you tell them. At least in the US, medical records are private.
2. This is something you should speak with your doctor about, not something to resolve before you speak with your doctor. Your doctor can prescribe something that will not cause you problems. You have the cart before the horse.
3. I wouldn't hold it against you, but we all know what happened to Thomas Eagleton and his dumping from the VP ticket in 1972 for having a history of mental instability. McGovern who was '1000% behind' him forced him to pull out and replaced him with a 'safer' candidate
4. Nope, your employer can NOT discriminate against you because of ANY medical condition. Go to the Dr. You will be glad you did. He will be able to give you something that will help you feel better and be able to function normally. Due to the HIPPA laws, your medical information is confidential. Your Dr can not share it with anyone else without your permission
5. No, it shouldn't cause issues for jobs like that. There are a few things like airline pilot and various military/intelligence careers where it might cause you problems, but in general noone would/could even find out that you had taken it unless you tell them.
6. Your medical records are kept private and cannot be disclosed. Although there was a recent decision by the FAA to allow airline pilots to take anti-depressants--this in an effort to have them disclose their treatment.
7. Your employer has no need to know. Even if they drug test (and most do) when a drug shows up on the test it goes to a doctor called an Medical Review Officer who has special training in this. If you have a prescription for the drug and are taking it in the right dose (must be a federal legal drug-no Pot)they will tell the employer it is a negative test.
8. This can only be taken into account if the employer can demonstrate that there is a clear-cut hazard that taking those medications can produce. (For example, if the medications can make you drowsy - then they have a legetimate basis for concern if your job involves driving.) Otherwise you are protected by the ADA. .
9. You are protected legally by the American's with Disabilities Act. Whatever medication you are on is your personal business and should have nothing to do with your employment/employer. Also, your medical information is classified for your privacy and employers are not allowed to access it without your permission in any manner.
10. It will not effect employment take it from a reformed xanax addict I thought the same thing just take a little pill and everything will be better right? If you haven't taken any yet I would suggest you don't go down that road. I wish I would have seen the future before I ever took one of those pills, 10 years of my life spent living in a personnel hell and not caring about anything or anyone. I'm not trying to say all medication is bad meds such as Paxil, Lexapro, Zoloft aren't so bad it's all the benzodiazepines (xanax, valium, klonopin, ativan, etc.) that will ruin your life and I don't care what anyone says they are the DEVIL! You have no clue what hell is like until you stop trying to use these medications the withdrawals from benzodiazepines is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I'm by no means trying to scare you just want you to understand all the stuff your doctor won't tell you. I hope this helps, please don't consider medication as a means to end you stress and anxiety in the end all it does and make it worse.