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They have no need to know the underlying reason, unless you expect to relapse anytime soon.
The most they need to know is you left the formal business to work on projects of your own and expand your knowledge and abilities beyond the lanes you were working in.
(Assuming you did continue working on your own projects, which I've gotten the impression you did.)
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It's not that they need to know - it's just leaving it at "I was pursuing my own projects" even though I was, i suspect would make them wonder why I wasn't more expansive about that gap. I don't know though. It could go either way. Same with "health issues"
Real programmers use butterflies
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"I took leave for personal reasons."
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I've found that doesn't work very well, as I've used it in the past (I took a sabbatical after several friends were murdered in seattle in 2006 - a mass shooting that happened at my best friend's house)
So I started telling people why I left and I got more understanding. But then it was a different situation.
i don't know. 
Real programmers use butterflies
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Jesus H. Christ.
Life sure has thrown you a curveball, and I can't imaging ever really being able to recover from something like that.
Looking at your contributions on CP however--and I don't say this sort of thing to a lot of people--it's clear you have a brilliant mind, and any employer in the software business would be lucky to have you on payroll. I can only hope that comes through during an interview. I'm afraid I don't really have any concrete suggestion, as I can't honestly draw any parallels.
![Rose | [Rose]](https://www.codeproject.com/script/Forums/Images/rose.gif)
I've conducted interviews (and I hate the process), and as an interviewer, if someone explained a gap to me because he/she had to take a sabbatical after witnessing a traumatic event (and left it at that), that'd be enough of a reasonable explanation for me not to dwell on it (and I'm not sure that's the best wording for it either). Of course I can only speak for myself. I would imagine that would raise a red flag for HR and they'd want to know that wasn't going to be an issue. But how do you provide such reassurances? Frankly that's where it becomes unfair; that's none of their g*ddamned business.
modified 31-Jul-20 10:33am.
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The last time I talked about it during an interview, I told him what had happened, and said I took a break from work (contracting) over it, and i didn't come back until I was sure I was ready. I don't like being distracted while I am working.
I got the job.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Good on you. I have no doubt you'll do fine.
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honey the codewitch wrote: I have a very serious and rare mental illness that comes with symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders
I can't help with the gap problem, but ... does that mean that when you take your clothes off you are a bi-polar bear?
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
"Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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sure. why not? 
Real programmers use butterflies
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Tell them you were busy noting down Compiler ideas on this Lounge, and in articles on this site.
This is something you have strong evidence for, isn't it?
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I mean, sure, but they might wonder why/how I wasn't getting paid for years. Coffee mugs and stickers are cool, but they don't cover a mortgage. 
Real programmers use butterflies
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"Spouse took care of me, while I continued working on my parser interests".
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The cynical answer is to tell them the truth, though not quite so colorfully. They'll be so scared of getting sued if they don't hire you that you'll have more offers than you know what to do with!
You're probably solicited by headhunters. If you know one, or even better an HR type, they could offer better advice than I can.
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I haven't put a CV out in years. I intend to get certifications first to remove any questions about my gap keeping me less than current.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Well you probably need to be honest about your situation. If you tell them you just took time out to count the stars, and then suffer an "episode" two or three months in ...
Any company that values your skills is likely to be more understanding if they know your situation.
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That's how I want to feel. I've had a couple of terrible employers though, but most have been invested in me like i invest in them.
Part of me just wants to lay it out, so that if they still hire me I won't be second guessing if it's going to be a problem.
The other part of me thinks about the stigma around mental health (at least here in the states) and the silly idea that it's "personal/not relevant" - i believe it is relevant personally, just like if i was in a wheelchair, because i do need some accomodation, like having everything asked of me in writing because the condition murders short term memory and the ability to keep track of tasks.
Then again, how relevant, I don't know, as I was able to fake it more or less for years without even realizing i was sick (although the only thing i could do was code, my life was a mess otherwise and looking back, medicated, i can see that now)
So it's complicated. Meh. I have a friend in the field, who I think has some serious social issues and doesn't like to leave the house, and if i were to guess, probably a cluster-a in terms of mental health issues - and he manages, but he found a niche - he's the only developer at his company and without him they couldn't continue to do business at all. His entire framework is his own code, and while it's brilliant, nobody else can learn it. He's got more job security than just about anyone i know. He didn't do it on purpose, that was just his first foray into professional development and he's untrained but talented.
I'm not looking for that.
I don't know. Lots of moving parts. I've definitely got a lot to think about. I tend to agree with you though.
Real programmers use butterflies
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honey the codewitch wrote: So it's complicated.
Understatement of the century. I used to be a volunteer with a telephone help line and have spoken to hundreds of different people. Many had mental health issues, and I am fairly sure that every one was unique in some way. And the biggest problem for them was not to be taken seriously by the outside world.
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Definitely. Good on you for volunteering like that - I couldn't take on that sort of consistent emotional labor. Dealing with people in crisis is no joke. Respect. My hubby does a lot work with people in the margins, and there's always one crisis brewing or another. He manages, but I don't know how, even with me supporting him where I can.
Real programmers use butterflies
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We were a big team, part of a national organisation, and had lots of support.
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I had a gap in my CV too. In my case I started Maths College and droppped it, then I had 5 years to get a degree of 3 (3 years to do half a year)
When I was asked, I told the truth about the first gap. My father got a job offer abroad and I had had to repeat the access test (foreign language and so on). So I got in the surest to get accepted college to move my place to another college over there (way easier). But at the end, we stayed at home and I didn't like the topics (only C programming was interesting, the rest...  ).
The second point I just said "I was young and not very focused. Then I found my way and you can see the results." (At the end I got 2 degrees in 6,5 years).
I would go for the already told advice. "I had a break due to health issues but I am now better and would like to be back in the field".
If they ask, what?
I would answer: Why do you want to know? It is not relevant for the job description.
If they really get insitent, they are going to have prejudicies against it. So just stand up and leave, you will not want to work for them anyways.
About the CP articles... I already told it above... I would keep them out of the CV, at least the online version. If you want to show something, then print out some snippets of them (not the ones easily found here).
If they find your articles, they will be able to find all your posts. And this is your private time, nothing to do with your possible tasks, as far as it is something technical and not facing the public opinion.
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
modified 31-Jul-20 9:23am.
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All very helpful advice. Thank you
Real programmers use butterflies
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You are welcome.
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Hey,
Just be yourself and be honest about your life struggles. For what it's worth... it's not you that needs to change... it's the employers and their hiring/retention methods. The workplace has become dehumanized and tends to be cruel to anyone with special needs.
I've had to dedicate some of my time taking care of someone with special needs and I understand your struggle.
Best Wishes,
-David Delaune
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Thank you. 
Real programmers use butterflies
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Randor wrote: ust be yourself and be honest about your life struggles
To be honest doesn't mean to tell it all.
Randor wrote: it's the employers and their hiring/retention methods. The workplace has become dehumanized and tends to be cruel to anyone with special needs.
Totally agree with you. But even I agree, it is better to try to give your 2 (or 5) cents one you are inside, doesn't necessarily at the interview for a possible job.
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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