Antidepressants and antianxiety medications

[Anonymous]

*at *ooutting

[Anonymous]

Wow I'm sorry but I would not want someone with bipolar disorder or that is clinically depressed taking care of my children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow I'm sorry but I would not want someone with bipolar disorder or that is clinically depressed taking care of my children.

There is a spectrum. The people on the far end usually can't hold a job. How would you know?

[Anonymous]

Bearing in mind that 1 in 4 people suffer from a mental health disorder, Chances are MB'S, One of you here DOES have a nanny who has a disorder.

[Anonymous]

I'm an MB.

I neither want nor need to know what medications our nanny may or may not be on. That's legally and ethically none of my business.

What is my business is her ability to do the job for which she was hired. That includes: excellent and safe driving skills, reliable attendance, unlimited/unflappable patience with the kids, ability to prepare healthy meals, excellent communication skills, positive/upbeat demeanor and enjoyment of being with the kids, etc...

I'm an employer of many people in my full-time day job also - some of whom have disclosed various diagnoses to me. I'll take an employee who is responsibly managing their illness (whatever that illness might be) over an employee who is problematic for reasons I might have zero awareness of any day of the week.

[Anonymous]

Most jobs that require driving also require regular drug testing. That's not something anyone thinks is appropriate in a nanny/employer relationship, so that means I have to trust you when you say you're on a "low dose" of something. That makes me uncomfortable if you're on benzos for anxiety or opioids for pain.

So my suggestion is don't disclose any health conditions or medications. If they never affect your work, everything is fine.

The other good thing about that is that I can't pass you over for having a medical condition, because I won't know about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an MB.

I neither want nor need to know what medications our nanny may or may not be on. That's legally and ethically none of my business.

What is my business is her ability to do the job for which she was hired. That includes: excellent and safe driving skills, reliable attendance, unlimited/unflappable patience with the kids, ability to prepare healthy meals, excellent communication skills, positive/upbeat demeanor and enjoyment of being with the kids, etc...

I'm an employer of many people in my full-time day job also - some of whom have disclosed various diagnoses to me. I'll take an employee who is responsibly managing their illness (whatever that illness might be) over an employee who is problematic for reasons I might have zero awareness of any day of the week.

This is the best answer from a Mom Boss thus far.

[Anonymous]

Don't disclose your diagnosis to anyone except a few people you are VERY close to. And even then, I would be careful in what you tell people. There is a serious stigma against people with mental illness (as evidenced by this thread).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are thousands of other occupations for people with mental illness that do not involve long days alone with a child!

Why choose being a nanny?! If you worked in a daycare or preschool, there would be other people around to keep an eye on you. As a nanny you are alone.

No, I would not hire a nanny who was on either antidepressants or antianxiety medications - nor would I hire the bipolar nanny who posted above. And I would have to fire any nanny who didn't disclose these vital medical facts about herself immediately.

You realize you come in contact with mentally ill people everyday?
I chose being a nanny, because I love children. I'm good st what I do, and I can't have my own. You realize there are many mother's with bipolar right?
Are you alright? Did your mother not hug you enough? I am putting myself because I know my former employer is on dcum. My longest job was with an employer who knew. I told them when I got diagnosed. They were educated doctors who didn't make false assumptions. Years after they moved away we are all very close.

Try to insult me all you want - I still would not hire you and I would fire you on the spot if I found out. Your childish response did nothing but make me more sure of my convictions.

You should work in a daycare or preschool where other adults are around to keep an eye on you. Not alone all day with an innocent child or infant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an MB.

I neither want nor need to know what medications our nanny may or may not be on. That's legally and ethically none of my business.

What is my business is her ability to do the job for which she was hired. That includes: excellent and safe driving skills, reliable attendance, unlimited/unflappable patience with the kids, ability to prepare healthy meals, excellent communication skills, positive/upbeat demeanor and enjoyment of being with the kids, etc...

I'm an employer of many people in my full-time day job also - some of whom have disclosed various diagnoses to me. I'll take an employee who is responsibly managing their illness (whatever that illness might be) over an employee who is problematic for reasons I might have zero awareness of any day of the week.

Are those your only two options? I don't have an illness to manage - secret or otherwise - and I take no prescriptions at all.

I am a nanny and while I am sympathetic to nannies with mental health issues, I would never recommend they remain nannies. There is no oversight as a nanny and it is a lonely job.

[Anonymous]

No.

Not their business. I have GAD, and no longer on any medication for it. Every employee I've had has been medicated for depression or anxiety, it's common.

If it doesn't affect the kids, it doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are thousands of other occupations for people with mental illness that do not involve long days alone with a child!

Why choose being a nanny?! If you worked in a daycare or preschool, there would be other people around to keep an eye on you. As a nanny you are alone.

No, I would not hire a nanny who was on either antidepressants or antianxiety medications - nor would I hire the bipolar nanny who posted above. And I would have to fire any nanny who didn't disclose these vital medical facts about herself immediately.

You realize you come in contact with mentally ill people everyday?
I chose being a nanny, because I love children. I'm good st what I do, and I can't have my own. You realize there are many mother's with bipolar right?
Are you alright? Did your mother not hug you enough? I am putting myself because I know my former employer is on dcum. My longest job was with an employer who knew. I told them when I got diagnosed. They were educated doctors who didn't make false assumptions. Years after they moved away we are all very close.

Try to insult me all you want - I still would not hire you and I would fire you on the spot if I found out. Your childish response did nothing but make me more sure of my convictions.

You should work in a daycare or preschool where other adults are around to keep an eye on you. Not alone all day with an innocent child or infant.

I wasn't insulting you. I asked serious questions. You don't like my assumptions? Funny. You obviously know nothing about mental illness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are thousands of other occupations for people with mental illness that do not involve long days alone with a child!

Why choose being a nanny?! If you worked in a daycare or preschool, there would be other people around to keep an eye on you. As a nanny you are alone.

No, I would not hire a nanny who was on either antidepressants or antianxiety medications - nor would I hire the bipolar nanny who posted above. And I would have to fire any nanny who didn't disclose these vital medical facts about herself immediately.

You realize you come in contact with mentally ill people everyday?
I chose being a nanny, because I love children. I'm good st what I do, and I can't have my own. You realize there are many mother's with bipolar right?
Are you alright? Did your mother not hug you enough? I am putting myself because I know my former employer is on dcum. My longest job was with an employer who knew. I told them when I got diagnosed. They were educated doctors who didn't make false assumptions. Years after they moved away we are all very close.

Try to insult me all you want - I still would not hire you and I would fire you on the spot if I found out. Your childish response did nothing but make me more sure of my convictions.

You should work in a daycare or preschool where other adults are around to keep an eye on you. Not alone all day with an innocent child or infant.

I wasn't insulting you. I asked serious questions. You don't like my assumptions? Funny. You obviously know nothing about mental illness.

+1 how did PP insult you?

[Anonymous]

A Nanny that was mature, educated & wise enough to seek treatment for a mental health issue is definitely someone responsible enough to care for a child in my opinion.

Those that do not receive the assistance they require due to ignorance, stigma and denial are too irresponsible to be caring for young children alone.

Seeing all the stereotypes and judgments by society on mental illness, I consider anyone who voluntarily seeks care as courageous.

The brain is an organ of the body like every other organ.

It too can get sick.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are thousands of other occupations for people with mental illness that do not involve long days alone with a child!

Why choose being a nanny?! If you worked in a daycare or preschool, there would be other people around to keep an eye on you. As a nanny you are alone.

No, I would not hire a nanny who was on either antidepressants or antianxiety medications - nor would I hire the bipolar nanny who posted above. And I would have to fire any nanny who didn't disclose these vital medical facts about herself immediately.

You realize you come in contact with mentally ill people everyday?
I chose being a nanny, because I love children. I'm good st what I do, and I can't have my own. You realize there are many mother's with bipolar right?
Are you alright? Did your mother not hug you enough? I am putting myself because I know my former employer is on dcum. My longest job was with an employer who knew. I told them when I got diagnosed. They were educated doctors who didn't make false assumptions. Years after they moved away we are all very close.

Try to insult me all you want - I still would not hire you and I would fire you on the spot if I found out. Your childish response did nothing but make me more sure of my convictions.

You should work in a daycare or preschool where other adults are around to keep an eye on you. Not alone all day with an innocent child or infant.

I wasn't insulting you. I asked serious questions. You don't like my assumptions? Funny. You obviously know nothing about mental illness.

+1 how did PP insult you?

NP here and PP was childish. To tell the truth, she changed my mind on ever hiring anyone with a mental illness. At first I thought it would be okay with me, but reading the responses on this thread has caused me to rethink my position. I wouldn't - I don't want the drama.

So to OP, yes - disclose that you are on medication.