Job Discussion Forums

[Omeo]

I'm considering going on medication for ADD, but before I do, I wonder if this sort of thing would be seen as a liability in my search for employment in Japan. I remember reading somewhere that being on medication for depression can keep you from getting a job. This is not so much because being on medication for depression means you won't be a good teacher, but because they have enough applicants who aren't on meds for depression that they can afford to say 'No' to the ones who are. I am confident that I can teach just fine without any medication if I have to. I just don't want it to reflect badly on me. I'm not even sure I'd be able to get any in Japan anyway. What do you think?

[canuck]

Coming to Japan for many foreigners is stressful enough. Having A.D.D. wouldn't help things. I would kindly suggest staying home and being closer to family. Yes, I think it would be a liability for employment.

[ndorfn]

sorry, can't help you about the availability of ritalin or dexamphetamines in japan, but you might be able to hit your doctor up for extra before you leave your own country. Obviously it would be better to do more research, probably by consolting your Dr.

I don't agree with the above post, as long as you are managing your condition you could come here. It's hardly deepest Africa.

And unless you're afficted with comulsive honesty, there's no need to mention it anywhere in any applications, although some medical insurance won't cover you for preexisting conditions, and they may check?

[Billy Chaka]

1. Don't tell anybody. It's none of their business.

2. The advice above that kindly suggests staying home is absolutely terrible advice. Don't listen to it.

[Omeo]

As I said in my original post, I'm very confident that I can teach English just fine without medication. I'm sure it would be easier if I DID have some, but I've never had medication before and I'm sure I can handle it just as I am now. I'd hardly call this a debilitating condition. Also, I've lived overseas before. Mind you, I was in the Army and had plenty of other English speakers around so adjusting wasn't difficult, but the point is, I'm sure coming to Japan won't break me. Are you guys sure I don't have to mention it anywhere on my application, though? It seems like I read somewhere that you have to give them your medical information and that comes from your doctor, not you. I'm perfectly willing to leave out any medication I might be on, but what if my doctor lets it slip?

[Billy Chaka]

I would think you would go to different doctors to get medication for ADD and for a physical. So don't tell the doctor who's giving you a physical that you're on medication for ADD. And if you don't go to different doctors, then do. If you're on medication for ADD, that's you're personal information, and you don't have to tell anybody you don't want to. People are taught when being brought up in society not to lie, but sometimes it's OK to lie. This is a perfect example. This information is nobody's business but yours.

[Mtnkiwi]

Have you got ADD and an STD? Interesting.

[abufletcher]

I have had epilepsy my entire life ranging from absense seizures as a child to full tonic-clonic seizures (what used to be called "grand mal") as an adult. This is generally well controlled with medication (years since the last seizure) but is nevertheless a fact of my life.

In general I subscribe to the "it's-none-of-anyone's-business" attitude but then I don't make a point to hide the fact either. Whenever I feel it's relevant I tell people I have epilespy (like now, for instance). For most of my working life (now going on 24 years overseas) it has been a non-issue. But then I've only once had to "pass" a medical to get a job. One of the very first jobs I applied for years and years ago required a medical and I lied on the "epilepsy quiestion" that's on every medical form in the world. Later when I found out I had gotten the job (in Saudi Arabia) I started to feel uneasy and wondered how I'd take care of medication if I wasn't supposed to have epilepsy. So I was stupid and called up the company and told them the truth. The job offer was then immediately revoked on the grounds that I had "lied" (which I did) on the application.

Since then I've never written it down anywhere and no employer has ever asked me. And in fact, colleagues (and bosses) have been very understanding when and if it does come up -- like the time I had a full out seizure the very first day in the office.

Anyway, nearly everyone's got some sort of problem, either medical, psychological or social. I've got epilepsy. But I don't it dominate my life.

[Omeo]

[Mtnkiwi]

Funny!