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Quote: I have a very serious and rare mental illness that comes with symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders
This is normal for developers.
If you have fully recovered then a career change (e.g. project management) is advisable.
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Are you being serious? "This is normal for developers." I mean?
I've never met another person with schizoaffective disorder that I'm aware of.
CPallini wrote: If you have fully recovered then a career change (e.g. project management) is advisable.
That is THE DEVIL's TRADE! 
Real programmers use butterflies
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The other me says I'm not serious. 
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You can say you had personal health issues (or say mental health issues) which forced you to take a break without going into further details! 
If they act worried, you can assertfully confirm that this is no longer going to be a problem. Hence that's why you are looking to get back to work!
You can even add you've take some new drug with great success for one year already, so it's definitely proven fine!!
Good luck with the medication!
I too have chronic health issues, it's a real bummer! 
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Thanks. Maybe that is route to go. I guess on one hand it's better to know upfront if they aren't going to be able to accept that in my case.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Good luck!
Add your CodeProject article to your CV / Resume! It will show good current programming skill that can easily be peer reviewed!
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definitely! I've got a lot material here.
Real programmers use butterflies
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I wouldn't... if you are not going to explain all, then don't connect your CV with CP. Once found your article, all your post history is open to the world
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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Yeah, good point, which you made in the message i read from you prior. Again, thanks.
Real programmers use butterflies
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I'd leave health issues as vague as possible, and specifically not include that they're mental health related. The goal is to get hired, not beat down negative stereotypes about people with mental health problems being unemployable.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason?
Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius
Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies.
-- Sarah Hoyt
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Indeed...
without going into further details
was (intended to be) the most important bit!
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My point was that you suggested:
Quote: (or say mental health issues)
Which is a bad idea.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason?
Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius
Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies.
-- Sarah Hoyt
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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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