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Comment by dijit | Hacker News Reader

So, I had a psychologist tell me that I have many ADHD markers and referred me to the central mental health agency for an official diagnosis.

Unfortunately, In Sweden, an official diagnosis means higher insurance (fine), higher mortgages (not fine) and the inability to hold certain licenses.

Of course those markers of ADHD are pretty severely affecting my life, which is why I was seeing the Psychologist in the first place...

Would anyone recommend seeking a diagnosis in those conditions? Has anyone done this in Sweden and then gotten a mortgage? Is there anything else I can do?

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That is horrifying that your medical issues could be used against you in insurance, mortgages, and licensing... I'd suggest just leaving the country at this rate or getting the diagnosis in a sane country that won't share this information and getting the medication from over there (assuming you can move somewhere close to the border)

> I'd suggest just leaving the country at this rate or getting the diagnosis in a sane country that won't share this information and getting the medication from over there (assuming you can move somewhere close to the border)

I live on the border with Denmark, I’m not sure if it’s ok for me to access healthcare in Denmark without a “CPR Number” https://international.kk.dk/cpr-number

Wow. That sounds like a terrible abuse of government power, and a great way to keep people from getting the mental health assistance they need.

The idea that ADHD affects mortgage rates! How terribly absurd. I'm sorry to hear that.

Dude, you have to respond to these comments. I'm dying to know. That is the most dystopian thing I've heard of coming from the land of "socialized medicine is the panacea".

There’s nothing to respond to in most of the comments.

I elaborated more about it but I got downvotes after that, so…

How does a medical diagnosis result in higher mortgage costs? Is health privacy data not protected in Sweden?

In general Sweden treats as much data as possible as being open. As such you can find my home address, who I live with and my phone number (and what car I drive) with a simple google search of my name.

Salary data is also publicly available, but as a nominal fee and you buy a “book” which is an area of the country.

When it comes to mortgages, banks ask for extended rights to look into your data on your behalf, you have to sign this with your digital ID (BankID).

This information is centralised and you give permission because they are ostensibly looking for outstanding debts and bankruptcies.

Unfortunately I only learned about the health discrimination when I was applying for an official diagnosis, I received a letter from a company “Modigo” warning me against getting a diagnosis because it can negatively impact my life in this way.

I heeded the warning of course.

Perhaps a higher risk of unemployment due to impulsive decisions - be it getting fired or quitting? I wonder if bipolar patients also get penalised for their condition.

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