| This. Depression is a lonely place, I have been there myself a few times. If you have sought help and you recognise the early symptoms you are more likely to control it before it becomes a problem, to you and your employer. Answering honestly will either result in: a) Your employer appreciates your honesty and hires you according to your skills. They will be considerate if you begin to relapse and help get you to a better place by familiarising themselves with the condition, or; b) Your employer will discriminate you based on your mental illness (assuming your skills are not a factor). They will see it as a risk and be unwilling to help you and help manage your condition regardless of what you can contribute. You do not want to work for company b), so consider them a dodged bullet. Although they aren't likely to disclose depression as a factor, you may be able to see it their reaction when you tell them. Subtle body language such as leaning back in their chair and looking away may indicate they have already made their decision. If you were to answer dishonestly you will be at a greater risk of working for an apathetic employer. If you were to relapse you might find explaining your condition difficult and they may think you're disgruntled and let you go. I don't work in the US either, I don't know how aware people are of mental health and how tolerant they are there. I like to assume people in the tech industry are very familiar. Speaking from experience I know a lot of developers (including myself) who suffer from depression from time to time and are empathetic to one another. Your potential employers should be very familiar already. |