reveal that you are on antidepressant?

[curvyintern]

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I have a problem that is keeping me awake at night. I will soon have to do a drug screen (guess they are looking for benzodiazepines, amphetamine, opioids etc.) and you are supposed to fill in what medications you are on before you give the urine sample.

My problem is that I am on an antidepressant since about two years. I was never severly depressed, I did well in school and all that but my PCP prescribed me Zoloft and it really helped me alot.

Should I reveal that I am on Zoloft? Will the PD find out? I really think that is none of their business since it will not affect my ability to function as an intern. The problem is that Zoloft may give a false positive test result for benzodiazepines. If they think I am on benzodiazepines and think I tried to hide it I will probably be in deep trouble.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

First of all, I doubt whether your PD will care that you're on sertraline.

I agree it's none of their business, though.

If you have a drug screen, it should be done through an Occ Med department. They may ask you about your medications. There should be a firewall between Occ Med and your program. Anything you tell Occ Med is covered by privilege, hence they should not mention it to your PD.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Are there any residents *not* on anti-depressants?

Maybe its just a surgical thing.

All joking aside, many many health care professionals are on anti-depressants (and you generally wouldn't know unless someone confides in you). However, its none of your PDs business; unfortunately, even in our profession it can unfairly stigmatize you.

As aPD notes, any drug testing information should not be revealed to your PD/faculty unless there is grounds for dismissal based on testing results. Thus, revealing to them that you are on an anti-depressant is reasonable.