Seeking mental health services does not affect one’s ability to gain or hold clearance eligibility. Adjudicators regard seeking necessary mental health treatment as a positive step in the security clearance process.
Table of Contents
Do antidepressants disqualify you from security clearance?
Depression and Anxiety Not Cause for Security Clearance Denial.
What disqualifies you from a security clearance?
These conditions may disqualify you from access to classified information: Drug abuse. Illegal drug possession. Diagnosis of drug abuse or dependence by a medical professional.
Can you work for the CIA with a mental illness?
“People who come to the CIA are normal people, meaning they’ve had some difficulties in their life, perhaps a physical or mental disability, or went through a bad period. But as long as they meet our threshold, and they can perform the job while holding a security clearance, we will hire them.
Is depression a medical discharge?
In the military’s scheme of things, serious disorders such as major depression, anxiety or schizophrenia may be grounds for medical discharge or retirement, usually depending on their severity and amenability to treatment.
What mental disorders disqualify you from the military?
Disturbances of conduct, impulse control disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or other personality or behavior disorders characterized by frequent encounters with law enforcement agencies, and antisocial attitudes or behavior also warrant disqualification from service.
Can bipolar get security clearance?
SECURITY CONCERN A past or present mental, emotional, or personality disorder is not by itself a disqualifying condition for a final security clearance. A psychological condition does not have to be formally diagnosed as a disorder to be a security concern.
Will anxiety disqualify you from the military?
Anxiety issues, either current or historical, or panic, agoraphobia, social phobia, simple phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, other acute reactions to stress, and post-traumatic stress are disqualifying for entry into the service.
How far back does secret clearance go?
Security Clearance Adjudicative Process The clearance process for Secret level access uses an investigation called the National Agency Check with Law and Credit that goes back five years, while the clearance process for Top Secret uses a Single Scope Background Investigation that goes back ten years.
How hard is it to get security clearance?
The National Security Agency denied the most applicants–9.2 percent. The National Reconnaissance Office and the Central Intelligence Agency had the next greatest number of denials, at 7.4 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. These numbers might seem relatively low, but there’s a reason for that.
How much debt is too much for a security clearance?
No branch of the military has a set amount of debt that is the breaking point for security clearance. You could owe $5,000 or $50,000 and be granted or denied clearance. It’s all a matter of how you deal with the debt. Responsible behavior in tackling your debt problems is considered a positive.
Does bpd disqualify you from the military?
For veterans to receive benefits for personality disorders, their condition must stem from a psychiatric condition incurred or aggravated by their military service. For example, borderline personality disorder benefits are not granted if there is evidence of the condition pre-dating the veteran’s service.
What do CIA recruiters look for?
You must be a U.S. citizen. You must have at least a bachelor’s degree (and outstanding grades) to be considered for non-clerical positions. Being fluent in a foreign language would certainly help. You must complete and pass a medical exam, a polygraph, and an extensive background investigation.
Can you join the Army if you have depression?
WASHINGTON – People with a history of “self-mutilation,” bipolar disorder, depression and drug and alcohol abuse can now seek waivers to join the Army under an unannounced policy enacted in August, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.
Is a medical discharge honorable?
A medical discharge is typically a general discharge under honorable conditions, but the severity and circumstances under which the medical condition began can impact the type of discharge you receive.
Can you be on antidepressants in the military?
Response 1: Antidepressants are disqualifying for one year after you stop taking them. You must stop with your doctor’s advice; do not stop on your own. These medications often have to be reduced slowly to lower side effects and reduce risk of relapse.
What percentage of military discharges are honorable?
Although 85% of military service members are discharged honorably, veterans who engage in misconduct during military service may receive other types of administrative or punitive discharges.
Does the military check your mental health records?
Obviously, certain security and safety positions like law enforcement and military agencies require a person to pass a mental health check. This almost always carries an in-depth look at any previous mental health issues you may have had.
Can you join the military with past mental illness?
While a mental health diagnosis generally disqualifies a recruit from the military, therapy and medication are available to service members diagnosed while in uniform.
Can someone with ADHD join the military?
While ADHD alone does not disqualify a person from military service, the Department of Defense (DOD) places significant enlistment restrictions on individuals with an ADHD diagnosis and/or prior treatment with medication. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance.
Can you be in the military with OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) In general, this mental health condition is disqualifying in the military.
Can you get a security clearance if you have been hospitalized?
Seeking out treatment, or talking about your struggles, is no longer taboo. And getting help for your mental health – including a hospitalization – is certainly not more of an issue for your security clearance than allowing a medical condition to go untreated.
How do I get out of the Army for mental health?
Speak openly without minimizing the impact of your condition with your commanding officer or immediate supervisors. From there, your commanding officer has discretion regarding supporting your request for a discharge. However, in some cases, the condition or disorder warrants a disability discharge.
What is checked during a security clearance?
Checks of employment history within scope verifying dates of employment, whether there were any issues, the circumstances of leaving, and eligibility for rehire. Checks of residence history within scope for any known issues, payment history, and if you are in or left in good standing.
What are the 5 levels of security clearance?
- 3.2.1 Controlled Unclassified.
- 3.2.2 Public Trust Position.
- 3.2.3 Confidential.
- 3.2.4 Secret.
- 3.2.5 Top Secret.
- 3.2.6 Compartmented.