This myth over-simplifies the rather complex human response to stress. But the sources of personal and job-related stress vary substantially from individual to individual. Some people find an unstructured schedule to be very stressful, while others struggle with a regimented work flow. Some people thrive on public visibility or high levels of social contact, while others need solitude to focus and be productive. Of course, workers with psychiatric disabilities vary, too, in their responses to stressors on the job.
All jobs are stressful in some regard.
Productivity is maximized when there is a good match between the employees needs and his or her working conditions - whether or not the individual has a psychiatric disability. Further, the ADA prohibits employers from asking applicants if they have psychiatric disabilities before making a job offer. In order to determine whether applicants are qualified, the screening process should clarify the essential functions of the job, then seek evidence that the potential employee has the needed skills, work experience, education or other qualifications. Given these guidelines, employers are unlikely to know if an applicant has a psychiatric disability unless he or she chooses to discuss it. Applicants and employees are often deterred from discussing their disabilities with employers by the very severe stigma associated with psychiatric disorders in our society.