The Depression / Anti Depressants Merged Thread

[A_Bancroft-Roy]

Hi there! I am a 20 year old woman diagnosed with depression and am on anti depressants. I have been wanting to join the CF to be a Water, Fuels and Environmental Technician. However by the looks of it on this forum I probably wouldn't be recruited?

 

[KGB123]

Good day all, I applied in August and have recently received a letter stating I was medically unfit due to being diagnosed with chronic dysthymia (chronic depression). In April 2013 I spoke to my doctor due to feeling overwhelmed with child custody court hearings, financial stress, marital stress, adjusting to becoming a family of 4 as I have birth in February, and my mother had an onset of illness. All that said, the psychiatrist prescribed me cytalophram which I infact never took, however put it in my application as it was prescribed. I went back to my doctor and he has since cleared me and stated in a letter that my symptoms were situational and I'm in remission. What are the chances they reconsider?

 

[PuckChaser]

Considering you have a letter from your doctor, I would say they'll at least look at your file again.

 

[Nudibranch]

They might, but no one here will be able to give you the odds.

Was it the psychiatrist who diagnosed, and the family doc who now says you're cleared? In general, if you have a specialist diagnose, the best thing is for the specialist to write the follow-up as well.

It has to make sense too - situational depressive symptoms or adjustment disorder is not at all the same as dysthymia, which is a chronic condition in which symptoms must persist for at least 2 years to make the diagnosis. So the diagnosis of dysthymia in Apr and a follow-up of "sx were situational" 6 months later sounds a bit iffy, and remission of symptoms of dysthymia doesn't "clear" you (you still have dysthymia, but possibly are functioning well for now since the acute situational stressors have resolved - which also puts you at risk of relapse if you're stressed again, and military life can be stressful).

Best thing for you is to go back to your doc (and psych) and really nail down what the correct diagnosis was. If you were misdiagnosed and it was completely situational and the psych is willing to write a letter to that effect, it'll be in your favor (although never a guarantee that they'll reconsider the decision). If it was the proper diagnosis and you're in remission, your chances are likely much lower.

 

[medicineman]

Good day all, I applied in August and have recently received a letter stating I was medically unfit due to being diagnosed with chronic dysthymia (chronic depression). In April 2013 I spoke to my doctor due to feeling overwhelmed with child custody court hearings, financial stress, marital stress, adjusting to becoming a family of 4 as I have birth in February, and my mother had an onset of illness. All that said, the psychiatrist prescribed me cytalophram which I infact never took, however put it in my application as it was prescribed. I went back to my doctor and he has since cleared me and stated in a letter that my symptoms were situational and I'm in remission. What are the chances they reconsider?

They will reconsider based on that letter...but nobody here will guarantee what they'll say at the end of the day.

MM

 

[KGB123]

The psychiatrist who diagnosed me, back in april, has wrote me a letter, 3 days ago, stating... I have not taken any meds, back in April, he had thoughts and wondered about symptoms of depression and anxiety and some cluster b personality traits. However also stated that in retrospect much of it seems to have been situation as I was dealing with a number of issues, including a court case that lasted just over 2 years. He states my symptoms are in remission at this time and I do NoT meet criteria for any paychiatrict conditions presently.

 

[AveeRed]

So I was wondering about my situation... I just passed my aptitude test last week and qualified for all my jobs (Yay!!) The only concern I have no is my medical... Last year my doctor suggested I go see a psychiatrist... I was having trouble in highschool and still dealing with the death of my uncle so I was having a rough time... So I went to see him and within the first session he said I had depression and I should be on medication. I figured he knew exactly what he was talking about and I just wanted to get better so he prescribed me Risperidone and Citalopram..  Very low doses of each, 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg of each respectively. So I continued with the medication and I went for monthly visits to see him and everything was going fine. I then started eating healthier and exercising regularly and I started feeling even better than before. So after about 3 months, I talked to my doctor and asked her if I could slowly stop taking the medication and see if exercising and eating better would be enough for me. She said we could try it so I talked to my psychiatrist and he agreed so within a month I stopped taken both pills. It's been about 3 months since I've taken then and I've never been happier. I can admit I still have some low days but I've found healthier ways to cope with my feelings rather than just want to give up. I decided to finally join the CF since I finally feel like I'm healthy enough for it, but now I'm just concerned I won't pass my medical because of this... Anyone know what might happen? 

 

[dapaterson]

Your file will go to a military medical professional.  That military medical professional will conduct an assessment, and may request additional information from your doctors.

As I am not a military medical professional and do not have the specific details of your situation or of the current policies, I'm in no place to assess.

 

[EmmetF]

I was sent a letter regarding my CEMS and was rejected on the basis of me having a history of depression on the basis that it was ongoing. When I mentioned it to the medical staff in CFRC they gave me a DND 2770 to fill out, and I went to see my doctor.  He said he wanted to follow up on it, but I insisted he fill it out  (impatience on my part :. He filled it out saying that followup was required and the reemergence of symptoms was unknown.  I goofed up and I sent that one to CFRC, then called saying I would send another DND 2770 after the followup I had with my Doctor later that month.  The DND 2770 he filled out during the followup stated that I was at low risk, treatment had been discontinued, followup was not required, I had excellent coping skills and that I was in "excellent mental and physical health." I believe that the wrong DND 2770 was sent to Ottawa, and my recruitment has been rejected, pending if I appeal it or not(which I will) and I will not be able to re-apply until next January.

I am going to go to go to the closest CFRC and try to start the appeals process tomorrow. Any input on how I should go about my appeal in the most efficient way possible, how I should approach my re-application next January(if it comes to it) or generally when I'll be able to be enrolled would be great guys.  This has definitely put a bit of a chink in my morale but I'm not going to be deterred.

Cheers!

 

[BlueDuck]

If you file a redress, you need to have it State clearly you have had no sign of depression or need of meds for 1 year and that your Dr feels you are fit to train. They will probably reassess and pass your file at that one year mark, whether it needs to be backdated or X months in the future. I took antidepressants with Antepartum depression, hormonally based that disappeared even before the birth of my son. I had to wait one full year off meds, even though I had been depression free for a few years. Even if you are taking any drugs like Zoloft for other, non-depression health reasons... Aka insomnia, hormone balance etc... You have to be off that class of drug for ONE YEAR.

 

[The_Falcon]

HUGE thread on this topic.  Seek information, there.  This is locked until I get to real computer and can merge.

 

[EmmetF]

Somehow I didn't see this thread when posting int he other section  : sorry

I was sent a letter regarding my CEMS and was rejected on the basis of me having a history of depression on the basis that it was ongoing. When I mentioned it to the medical staff in CFRC they gave me a DND 2770 to fill out, and I went to see my doctor.  He said he wanted to follow up on it, but I insisted he fill it out  (impatience on my part :. He filled it out saying that followup was required and the reemergence of symptoms was unknown.  I goofed up and I sent that one to CFRC, then called saying I would send another DND 2770 after the followup I had with my Doctor later that month.  The DND 2770 he filled out during the followup stated that I was at low risk, treatment had been discontinued, followup was not required, I had excellent coping skills and that I was in "excellent mental and physical health." I believe that the wrong DND 2770 was sent to Ottawa, and my recruitment has been rejected, pending if I appeal it or not(which I will) and I will not be able to re-apply until next January.

I am going to go to go to the closest CFRC and try to start the appeals process tomorrow. Any input on how I should go about my appeal in the most efficient way possible, how I should approach my re-application next January(if it comes to it) or generally when I'll be able to be enrolled would be great guys.  This has definitely put a bit of a chink in my morale but I'm not going to be deterred.

Cheers!

From the other thread I started, again, any input would be awesome, having a bit of a struggle getting my mind wrapped around it at the moment.

 

[medicineman]

It's actually simple to wrap around - the rules are that if you were treated for depression, you must be stable and off meds for a year.  BTW, the doctor isn't to write on the form what you want them to - it's what's on your chart and their experience with you that's to be commented about.  I've seen that a lot from both sides of the fence.

Good luck.

MM

 

[DnentonSg]

By the looks of it what I have read on this forum and in this thread, it seems like many people  do successfully get off their medications for X amount of years, get their forms signed by their doctors stating that the doctor(s) believe that the applicant is okay to serve in the forces however the medical staff in the CF still deny the applicant. Why is that?

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Because not everyone thinks that Doctors are all-knowing Gods................

 

[medicineman]

By the looks of it what I have read on this forum and in this thread, it seems like many people  do successfully get off their medications for X amount of years, get their forms signed by their doctors stating that the doctor(s) believe that the applicant is okay to serve in the forces however the medical staff in the CF still deny the applicant. Why is that?

It could simply be that we're only hearing their side of the story - there are often some other comorbid conditions that go with their primary mental illness, like drug abuse/addictions, personality disorders, etc. that some people choose to accidentally on purpose leave out in their posts.  Also, if the person was on/off meds a few times for their depression, odds are they will be back on at another time - again not likely to get enrolled.

As has been noted previously in this and in many other forums, the CF does not have an obligation to give someone a job.  There are  enrollment medical standards in place and if you fail to meet those enrollment standards, you don't get a job - pretty simple.

MM

 

 

[EmmetF]

It's actually simple to wrap around - the rules are that if you were treated for depression, you must be stable and off meds for a year.  BTW, the doctor isn't to write on the form what you want them to - it's what's on your chart and their experience with you that's to be commented about.  I've seen that a lot from both sides of the fence.

Good luck.

MM

I am stable, as vouched for by my doctor. I was on meds for about 2 weeks, before asking my doctor if I could stop, he said yes.  I have not been on meds, or seen a counsellor for over a year and a half. I think this may have been a case of my own impatience and getting paperwork mixed up as I said here

He said he wanted to follow up on it, but I insisted he fill it out  (impatience on my part :). He filled it out saying that followup was required and the reemergence of symptoms was unknown.  I goofed up and I sent that one to CFRC

I'm guessing it is because of this, rather than the form filled out by him stating that I have been "depression" free since 03/13, causing the problems. I am trying, though, to prepare myself for the worst in this case, in that they rejected me for the reason of it being it simply happened at some point in my past.

Because not everyone thinks that Doctors are all-knowing Gods................

I hear that. I believe that my Doctor mis-diagnosed me.  I was in need of support to help develop healthy coping tools during a stressful period of my life.  3 trips to a counsellor of the course of 2 months gave me the tools I needed to continue succeeding in school (as per what was ailing me at the time).  I was one of many prescribed meds by a GP, not a psychologist. I would place myself firmly in this category, and would never touch an anti-depressant again! All that happened was I dealt with side-effects and then the resulting withdrawal symptoms.

Also, if the person was on/off meds a few times for their depression, odds are they will be back on at another time - again not likely to get enrolled.

I was not, but

As has been noted previously in this and in many other forums, the CF does not have an obligation to give someone a job.  There are  enrollment medical standards in place and if you fail to meet those enrollment standards, you don't get a job - pretty simple.

Point taken. 

I do not believe I am entitled to a position in the Canadian Forces, but has been a goal of mine for quite some time, so this is still unsettling. Time will tell how it will unfold for me, but in the mean time I'm kinda just looking for as much information, and getting as much input on it as I can for now, just so I know what I can expect, and what is going to be expected of me.

Thanks for the replies guys

 

[fshtooth87]

I am wanting to apply to the reserves to start, looking at applying in 2015

My question is, 2 years ago my mom passed, long with that  lost my job due to the company slowing down, hit financial issues etc etc and was pretty down. Was having trouble sleepin etc etc. I went and saw a doc to get something to help m sleep and such. I ended up leaving that office diagnosed bipolar and he put me on lithium. I was on it for a month and it totally buggered me, I gained weight, made me sik. I quit the pills and life went back to normal and I was fine. I have spoken to nurses and another doctor and they said that the doctor was totally out of line putting me on something like that. He should have sent m for testing, psychologist etc etc if he thought I was bipolar. I have never had issue before or after that. Since that is on my medical file, will that ruin my chances when applying? would t help if I had a doctors note saying I was misdiagnosed?

Any help and input would be greatly appreciated

 

[Gunshark]

Best to go to the recruiting office and explain your situation, and go from there. Just give it a shot, and you will know. If you were misdiagnosed, I would guess you will be fine.

 

[Vell]

*Edited out. I probably should not express what will likely happen, regardless of if I am correct or not.*

The only people who can tell you for sure is the medical office. You can call your recruiting office and request that you talk to the medical office staff directly even before your actual medical (they will be able to provide you with more specific information than here and may even be able to provide you with the specific form(s) to have filled by your doctor before your actual medical to save you some processing time down the road).