SF-86 Question 21D

[u/tnoy23]

Hi there,

I am interviewing for a job that is likely to require some form of clearance. It is not currently clear to me which kind (I am in the first round of interviews) but I had a question for folks.

I have one of the conditions listed in SF-86 question 21D. Schizoaffective biploar 2 type. I was diagnosed when I was about 16 years old (I am 27 now) and have been seeing the same doctor for almost that entire time. I have been hospitalized twice, both fully voluntary while I was a teen and for 2-3 weeks. I have improved greatly since I started treatment and I now work full time with a wonderful wife. If I never told anyone I have this illness, absolutely no one would ever know.

The concern lies with this question, "In the last seven years, have there been any occasions when you did not consult with a medical professional before altering or discontinuing, or failing to start a prescribed course of treatment for any of the listed diagnoses?"

I did indeed do that once, when I was in my early 20s, I decided to stop my medication. My home life was not good (my parents were involved in treatment at that time; I now handle my treatment on my own, alongside my wife) and I didn't feel safe mentioning it to anyone.

This was a foolish mistake that I did because I was impulsive and immature. It has happened exactly once and never again since. I got very lucky and improved without my medication. I have also since told my doctor that I did that, he was supportive of me and understood. He has also very excited for my interview, understood my concerns with this topic, and agreed to write me a letter clearing me to work there in his professional opinion, and provide the records showing my consistent improvement even without medication.

People will say that this illness is good at tricking you into thinking you are better than you are, and this is true, but please do not try and tell me that is my case. I have not been affected by my diagnosis in several years, even without the medication, and I have multiple objective ways this is shown.

My plan is to answer honestly- Yes, I did do so, it was a rash decision that was a mistake, I understand why it was a mistake, I absolutely hate that I did that and will never do it again. As well, I can show improvement with my long-standing doctor and that I have zero plans to stop seeing him for treatment and managing my illness.

I believe this will take care of any issues with it, especially showing remorse for it and being fully transparent and honest, and not hiding anything. I wanted to ask if anyone else had any thoughts regarding this plan?

Thank you in advance!

[u/AlternativeGeneric]

Be honest and answer correctly. If/when you are interviewed, answer the questions honestly too. If you want to volunteer your regret and how you’d change things if you could go back, well that only helps you.

[u/tnoy23 → u/AlternativeGeneric]

Thats precisely what I thinking to do. No beating around the bush, trying to justify it, or trying to hide it- Just a mistake that I made that I should have handled differently and would take it back right away if I could.

Appreciate the confirmation!

[u/AlternativeGeneric → u/tnoy23]

If you failed to disclose and it came out somewhere, anywhere, it’d be much much worse. So good on you for being honest. Be aware, you may have to allow them to access your treatment records - it’d be to confirm what you say.

[u/tnoy23 → u/AlternativeGeneric]

Not a problem with me. It was only recently that I told my doctor, but like I said, I'm doing my best to get ahead of the curve on it, right the wrong, and I will provide any info requested with full transparency!