What communication strategy is recommended regarding disclosure of depression to an employer?
Selective disclosure is advised, where limitations are communicated (e.g., needing flexibility on deadlines) without detailing the specific mental health diagnosis.
When managing employment while dealing with depression, the approach to communicating internal struggles to an employer should be strategic and selective rather than fully transparent regarding the diagnosis itself. Generally, disclosing the specific mental health status during initial application phases or even later is not required. However, when performance limitations arise that impact workflow, the communication should focus on the functional need rather than the underlying cause. For example, instead of detailing the struggles with concentration due to depression, an employee might state, 'I require flexibility on deadlines for complex reports to ensure the final accuracy of the work.' This manages expectations pragmatically without unnecessarily revealing personal health information.
