If you struggle with anxiety, you’re familiar with the feelings that come along with certain situations. Whether your symptoms include a racing pulse, shaking hands, and sweating, or simply your mind going blank at the most inopportune time, symptoms of anxiety can be awfully similar to the symptoms of something much darker: lying.
While suffering from anxiety isn’t your fault, it can certainly make you think twice about applying for a position where you have to pass a polygraph. Will the person administering the test automatically think you’re lying if you start feeling anxious during your test? And, if so, how could you ever pass?
What a polygraph is (and isn’t)
A polygraph is a screening tool the government sometimes uses in addition to a background check, criminal history check, employment check, and other checks, depending on the security clearance level and job.
What it is not is an accurate lie detector. There is no pass/fail scoring for a polygraph, and if you do get a little sweaty during your interview, that doesn’t mean automatically disqualify you. Interviewers use the machine partially to get inside applicants’ heads, but also use feedback from the machine to detect areas where an individual may not have been accurate on their SF-86.
In fact, there are technically only two ways to fail the polygraph test: detected use of countermeasures or admitting adjudicatively significant information.
Don’t overshare
Prior to 2016, mental health questions on the application form meant applicants had to divulge everything from marriage counseling to a one-time mental health appointment. But now, the government has clarified the mental health question. They’re only interested in mental health issues that could affect your reliability or trustworthiness.
When it comes to mental health, the government doesn’t need to know everything. The full scope polygraph doesn’t ask questions about anxiety, so you don’t have to reveal that you suffer from it – although you shouldn’t be afraid to disclose it, either.
You can get ready for your polgyraph by trying to keep your day as normal as possible before the test. The examiner should begin by taking a baseline measurement of your pulse, respiration rate, and perspiration. Your reactions will be compared to your personal baseline measurements, not the baseline for the rest of the non-anxious population. This doesn’t always work, though.
What happens if your polygraph results are inconclusive?
Even if you’re perfectly honest during your polygraph, there’s still a chance you could end up with inconclusive results. Unfortunately, depression and anxiety can affect polygraph results. But if you do fail, you should know that polygraph results are inadmissible in court and you won’t lose your current clearance as a result.
Anxiety isn’t an automatic disqualifier from passing a polygraph. While it may affect your results, anxiety and depression shouldn’t keep you from pursuing positions that require passing a polygraph.
Brynn Mahnke is a freelance writer specializing in researching, writing, and ghostwriting for clients in the career, finance, SaaS, and B2B/B2C niches. She focuses on writing case studies, whitepapers, ebooks, and articles showcasing the value her clients bring to their customers. When she isn't writing, you can find her running, cycling, or wrangling children. She can be reached through her website or at brynn.mahnke@gmail.com.
FAQs
Anxiety isn't an automatic disqualifier from passing a polygraph. While it may affect your results, anxiety and depression shouldn't keep you from pursuing positions that require passing a polygraph.
Will you fail a polygraph if you have anxiety? ›
Yes, anxiety can affect the results of a polygraph test. The polygraph measures physiological responses, including changes in breathing, heart rate, and perspiration. Anxiety can cause changes in these physiological responses, which can be interpreted as signs of deception.
Why you shouldn't take a polygraph? ›
According to a report from the National Academy of Sciences, “[a] variety of mental and physical factors, such as anxiety about being tested, can affect polygraph results – making the technique susceptible to error.” Unfortunately, once you have failed a government polygraph test, there may be little you can do to ...
When should you not take a polygraph test? ›
Yes, being sick can affect the results of a polygraph test. Illnesses such as the flu or a cold. Who Cannot take a polygraph? People with certain medical conditions, such as heart conditions or epilepsy, may be advised not to take a polygraph test.
Is it bad to refuse a polygraph test? ›
Occasionally, a suspect will ask to take a test in order to establish his innocence. You are never under any legal obligation to take a lie detector test in a criminal investigation. Even if the police tell you the test is mandatory or threaten to arrest you if you refuse, you don't have to.
Are people with anxiety more likely to lie? ›
While pathological lying isn't a defining feature of anxiety as it is with other disorders, such as NPD, anxiety and compulsive lying can sometimes go hand in hand. People with anxiety disorders may lie to protect themselves from anxiety triggers or to handle things like a fear of rejection.
Does mental illness affect a polygraph test? ›
The test won't hurt them, but since the polygraph measures physiological responses, physical or mental conditions that affect those responses can lead to “inconclusive” results. Those who suffer from anxiety, depression, or PTSD may also be taking certain medications that can affect the polygraph results.
Should you ever agree to a polygraph? ›
If you're ever asked to take a polygraph test by police, don't refuse or agree immediately. Know the different aspects of polygraph testing, understand your legal rights and take proper action only after consulting an experienced criminal defence lawyer.
What can throw off a polygraph test? ›
Anti-hypertension medication will usually lower an individual's heart rate and blood pressure, adding bias to the proceedings. The heart rate and blood pressure are two metrics that most lie detectors use when searching for deception in an individual if both of them are low during a Polygraph examination.
How do I stop being nervous for a polygraph? ›
Get A Good Night's Sleep
So long as you are forthcoming with all questions asked by the polygraph examiner and tell the truth, you will do well. With that said, it is important to get a good night's sleep. Try to stop worrying. Eat a satisfying meal, relax and go to bed with enough time to get 6-8 hours of sleep.
Get A Good Night's Sleep
So long as you are forthcoming with all questions asked by the polygraph examiner and tell the truth, you will do well. With that said, it is important to get a good night's sleep. Try to stop worrying. Eat a satisfying meal, relax and go to bed with enough time to get 6-8 hours of sleep.
What can make you fail a polygraph test? ›
You can fail the test simply because you don't quite understand the question, or over-analyze the question each time, even if the examiner gave you clarification multiple times.
What can mess up a polygraph test? ›
Factors such as medications, illness, and even simple things like caffeine can all affect the outcome of the test. It's important to understand how these factors can influence the results of a polygraph test, especially if you're going to be taking one for an important reason.
What medical conditions affect a polygraph? ›
These conditions can include rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and alcohol use disorder. Additionally, many commonly prescribed medications for conditions including congestive heart failure, hypertension, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder can cause changes in the vital signs that polygraphs measure.
