Summary
A 34-year-old systems engineer was denied a security clearance under Guideline I (Psychological Conditions) due to a longstanding history of mental health issues. These issues included hospitalizations, self-mutilation, and multiple suicide attempts since 2003, involving methods such as cutting, overdosing, swallowing razor blades, and ingesting bleach. She has received treatment for depression for approximately 20 years and, at times, has not followed prescribed medication regimens.
Since September 2011, the applicant has been under the care of a board-certified psychiatrist who diagnosed her with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and depressive disorder, disagreeing with past diagnoses of bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. While her current psychiatrist rates her prognosis as excellent and notes she is making progress, her consistent compliance with the treatment plan has been less than 12 months.
Despite evidence of good character and a favorable prognosis, the judge found that the less than 12 months of consistent treatment compliance was insufficient to mitigate the security concerns. The denial was based on the applicant's extensive history of mental health issues and the insufficient duration of her consistent treatment, with the judge resolving doubts in favor of national security.
Why the applicant was denied
- Applicant has a longstanding history of mental health issues, including hospitalizations and suicide attempts.
- The applicant's compliance with her psychiatrist's treatment plan has been less than 12 months, which is insufficient to mitigate security concerns.
- The judge resolved doubts about the applicant's judgment, reliability, or trustworthiness in favor of protecting national security.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 28(a)raisedBehavior That Casts Doubt on an Individual's Judgment, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 28(c)raisedFailure to Follow Treatment Advice Related to a Diagnosed Emotional, Mental, or Personality Condition
- AG ¶ 29(a)rejectedCondition Is Readily Controllable with Treatment and the Individual Has Demonstrated Ongoing and Consistent Compliance with the Treatment PlanThe applicant's compliance with treatment has been less than 12 months.
- AG ¶ 29(b)appliedIndividual Has Voluntarily Entered a Counseling or Treatment Program for a Condition That Is Amenable to Treatment
Key rule quoted
“The clearly consistent standard indicates that security clearance determinations should err, if they must, on the side of denials.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedSep 15, 2011
- Answer filed—
- Hearing heldMar 15, 2012
- Decision dateMay 9, 2012
Cite for
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Insufficient Compliance with Treatment for Mental Health Issues
- Impact of a Longstanding History of Mental Health Issues on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of Favorable Evidence Versus Security Concerns Under Guideline I