Can you be a cop if you take antidepressants?
Asked by: Effie Hilpert | Last update: June 20, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (3 votes)
Can Cops Be On Antidepressants? While taking antidepressants is not an automatic disqualification for police applicants, transparency about medical history, including the use of antidepressants, is crucial during the application process.
Can I take antidepressants as a police officer?
There is no law that specifically says a police officer cannot carry out his duties while taking antidepressants. Nor is there any reason for such a law, as there is no evidence per se that a police officer's performance is hindered by taking an antidepressant.
What drug use disqualifies you from being a police officer?
Use of drugs like heroin, cocaine, or crystal meth often result in disqualification, unless the drug use happened in the distant past and you've been clean since. As for marijuana, it's complicated. Although many states have legalized marijuana use, it is still illegal federally.
Can you be a cop if you've had depression?
Living with depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be difficult, but many people prove capable of managing and functioning normally. If you're fortunate enough to live in a state that fosters this mindset, you should be able to be considered as a candidate just like anyone else.
Can you be a cop if you take medication?
Individuals who take anti-anxiety medications may serve as police officers if their ability to function is not impaired or falls below the established criteria.
Wanna be a Cop? Drug Testing and Disqualifiers
Can I be a cop with anxiety?
As a law enforcement officer is you are suffering from anxiety this doesn't mean you are in danger to self or others or even incapable of working. It just means that you need to figure out how to restore balance to your life.
What medical conditions stop you from being a police officer?
Q: What medical problems would prevent me from becoming a police officer? A: A recent seizure, or a severe heart or lung condition may prevent you from becoming a police officer. The majority of typical applicants meet the medical requirements.
Is major depression a mental disability?
Yes. Depression is a type of mental health disorder that can impact your mood, thoughts and feelings, weight, sleeping habits, energy level, and ability to function. If you have depression that interferes with your ability to work, then you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, like SSDI and SSI.
Can you be a cop with ADHD?
Does ADHD Disqualify You From Becoming a Police Officer? The simple answer is no. ADHD does not automatically disqualify you from becoming a police officer, including with the NYPD.
What is the depression rate for police officers?
Public safety personnel were found to have a higher rate of psychological health problems. One in every seven police officers worldwide suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, and one in every ten struggled from other mental illnesses.
What will stop me from becoming a police officer?
In most forces, felony convictions, records of domestic violence, and serious misdemeanors can keep a person from becoming a police officer. Murder, rape, robbery, drug trafficking, and other crimes are immediate disqualifications and may even reveal criminal ties.
What disqualifies you on a polygraph?
Typical disqualifiers include admitting to past criminal behavior, ongoing illegal drug use, or any actions that indicate a lack of moral integrity. For instance, confessing to tampering with evidence or accepting bribes are clear disqualifiers.
What is the main reason police officer job applicants are rejected?
Addictive behavior that could reflect poorly on the Police Department or illustrate bad judgment on the part of the applicant. For example: drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, gambling. Legal inability to own or possess a firearm, (for police officer candidates). Illegal drugs.
Can you be a cop if you have been to a mental hospital?
Most police agencies will require you to undergo an psychological assessment, regardless of your previous history.
Can police take Xanax?
It is not generally a good idea for officers to take anxiety medication while on the clock. Anxiety medication often has a calming or sedative-like effect that can make it more difficult to perform police work.
Is being a police officer worth it?
It depends on one's values, career goals, and willingness to accept the inherent risks and challenges of the job. If the benefits of making a significant community impact, job stability, and career progression outweigh the potential drawbacks, a career in law enforcement may be the right choice.
Can cops use Adderall?
It might ask about any medications you're taking on your application, just be honest about it. There are plenty of police officers who take Adderall, and in fact there are people in every profession who do.
What jobs suit ADHD people?
Working in a fast-paced, artistic environment is ideal for anyone who thrives in creative chaos. Whether it's as a TV producer, choreographer, painter, or concert pianist, adults with ADHD are happiest when their work allows them to express their artistic abilities.
Does the FBI hire people with ADHD?
We actively recruit persons with disabilities for all roles within the FBI. "My motto has always been 'don't dwell on what you can't do but focus on what you can do. ' I think every person with a disability just wants to be treated normally by other people and respected for what we can offer."
What is the most approved disability?
Overall, however, the most approved disability for Social Security is disabilities involving the musculoskeletal system and/or connective tissues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), such conditions include arthritis, back pain, and lupus.
What age does depression usually start?
Depression often begins in the teens, 20s or 30s, but it can happen at any age. More women than men are diagnosed with depression, but this may be due in part because women are more likely to seek treatment.
Is depression neurodivergent?
While depression is not traditionally classified as a neurodivergent condition, it does involve neurological processes and brain function changes. In that sense, it could be viewed from a neurodivergent perspective, as it involves a divergence from what is considered typical brain functioning.
Can police officers take anxiety medication?
For many police officers, medication combined with psychiatric therapy can be a lifeline. It's about finding the right balance that works for the individual. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and other prescriptions can help manage symptoms, but they're most effective when paired with therapy.
What mental illnesses disqualify you from being a cop?
Conditions such as bipolar disorder, recurring major depression, with or without psychotic features or suicidal ideation, recurring anxiety disorders, with or without panic attacks, obsessive/compulsive disorder, and most diagnoses leading to a psychiatric hospitalization require review of relevant medical records.