Does anxiety affect security clearance?

Security clearances are not denied for seeking help. Pro-actively seeking counseling is a positive indicator and often mitigates security concerns. Less than 1% of security clearances are denied or revoked due to psychological concerns.

Can you get a security clearance with an anxiety disorder?

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.

What disqualifies you from a security clearance?

You were dishonorably discharged from the military. You are currently involved in illegal drug use. You have been judged as mentally incompetent or mentally incapacitated by a mental health professional. You have had a clearance revoked for security reasons.

What can hurt security clearance?

What are the mental health questions on security clearance?

SF-86 Question 21 asks, “In the last seven years, have you consulted with a healthcare professional regarding an emotional or mental health condition, or were you hospitalized for such a condition?”

Mental Health Myths for Security Clearance Holders and Applicants

Does mental health issues affect security clearance?

Security clearances are not denied for seeking help. Pro-actively seeking counseling is a positive indicator and often mitigates security concerns. Less than 1% of security clearances are denied or revoked due to psychological concerns.

What are red flags for security clearance?

A criminal arrest, financial bankruptcy, unreported foreign travel, drug abuse, mishandling of classified information, serious mental health disease, etc., could result in removal from access, if the government knew.

How often do people fail security clearance?

myth #1: Many security clearances are denied.

Less than 1% of security clearances investigations result in denial. Individuals may not be eligible for an interim clearance, and they may have significant issues that need to be mitigated.

How often are secret clearances denied?

You may even wonder if you should continue with the process, particularly if you're not getting a paycheck while you wait. But don't lose heart – 20-30% of all interim security clearances are denied, but that is vastly different than the figure of final clearance denials, which hovers around 1%.

How often are clearances denied?

“Probably 5 to 10 percent of the people who go through the process experience some degree of issues,” Bigley estimated.

Why would I fail SC clearance?

Incomplete Application Or Missing Information

This is a more common reason to fail a security clearance than you may think. You also need to include any documents they ask for, such as birth certificate, utility bills, or anything else that proves your identity.

What shows up on a security clearance background check?

The security clearance process typically includes a FBI reference check of former employers, coworkers, friends, neighbors, landlords, and schools along with a review of credit, tax, and police records.

How far back does a security clearance go?

The SF-86 form requests information back 7 years for employment and residence; however, to comply with the investigative standards, 10 years is required.

Can anxiety disqualify you from jobs?

Working With Anxiety 101

You cannot be fired for having severe or chronic anxiety. It is a protected diagnosis under federal law.

Is anxiety a qualifying disability?

Anxiety disorders like OCD, panic disorders, phobias, or PTSD are considered a disability. Therefore, they can qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Individuals must prove that it is so debilitating that it prevents them from working.

Should I list anxiety as a disability?

Generalized anxiety disorder and other forms of severe anxiety are often long-term, can be diagnosed by a doctor, and can limit someone from engaging in substantial gainful activity. As long as your condition meets those requirements, it will be considered a disability according to Social Security law.

Do they interview friends for secret clearance?

An investigator may show up to your current employers office. Not sure about your neighbors. I was interviewed by an investigator because I was listed as an associate or friend of a Soldier obtaining a Top Secret Clearance. So friends may be interviewed.

Do they interview you for secret clearance?

For a secret clearance in a national security position, the investigation requires agents to interview people who have lived or worked with the applicant at some point in the past seven years, or sometimes farther back.

Does security clearance check social media?

Security clearance holders should know that comments made publicly can be used against them in the security clearance process. The best step to take to ensure information doesn't come back to bite is to keep your accounts locked down and private.

Is a security clearance a big deal?

The highest levels of clearance can lead to even higher salaries. The Human Resource Association of the National Capital Area also reported that employees with top secret security clearance could earn up to 60% more than those without top secret clearance in certain jobs.

Is it hard to pass secret clearance?

Obtaining a top secret clearance is a lengthy process that involves an in-depth background check. Denial of a clearance can occur for a variety of reasons, including financial problems, mental disorders and criminal violations.

Is it easy to lose security clearance?

While a security clearance can be difficult to obtain, it can be surprisingly easy to lose. The federal government can revoke employees' security clearance for a variety of reasons.

Does security clearance check your messages?

Emails, Internet Histories & Other Virtual Assets

Although security clearance background checks can be intensely thorough, the government can't view your emails, Internet browsing history, hard drive data, and other virtual assets without a subpoena or warrant.

Why security clearance denied?

Investigators cite omissions of education references, relevant employment details, residence addresses and Selective Service data as reasons for clearance application rejections. You might also be denied if you neglect to provide personal references or procrastinate in submitting your fingerprint cards.

Does a mental health diagnosis show up on a background check?

Do Mental Illnesses Appear on Background Checks? Typically, no. Diagnosed mental illnesses are a part of a person's medical record and, as such, are protected under law. Doctors are sworn to confidentiality and could risk losing their jobs if they expose any information without a person's explicit consent.