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The Depression / Anti Depressants Merged Thread

  • Thread starter Thread starter FreshPez
  • Start date Start date
It'll come down to how the history was written - if all the bases were covered, might not happen, but I'd be prepared to get the letter asking for more info.

MM
 
Well, I just got the call. I start BMQ in November.    :)

Guess it wasn't as hopeless as I originally thought.
 
last_minute said:
Well, I just got the call. I start BMQ in November.    :)

Guess it wasn't as hopeless as I originally thought.

This is great news. Congratulations  :nod:

Alea
 
Well this thread has been going on for a while...

I do have a question concerning the title of course, and like most of everyone here, I'm almost looking for a definite answer that I know I won't get until all my papers are sent, but as sad as some circumstances are why people are posting here, hopefully I could get some insight.

10years ago, my mother, God love her, sent me to see a doctor for depression. I was 15. So the doctor who could possible be seen as a friend to my mother, obliged and next thing I know I'm on Effexor, Seroquel (sp), Epival, Paxil, Celexa... my body was a pharmacy for three years.  I was in the psychiatric ward for a period of time, and this doctor that helped initialize this openly admitted that I was shafted. She admitted she was going off of my mother's word, which when it comes to a troubled teen is usually the right thing to do. Most of my depression was admitted to be caused by a chemical imbalance from the medications I was given rather that any clinically accepted diagnosis. Instead of being pumped full of medications, counselling could have probably fixed it all for me. When I turned 18, I stopped taking the medications since a parent could no longer force me to. I started working and in the 7years since personally stopping the medications (without withdrawal or anything) the only medication I had was for Clonasapam (sp) back in 2005 as a mild anti-anxiety pill because I was going through a breakup and job change. Now in 2010, I'm happily married, 2 healthy kids. Life is great. I'm interested in joining the Reserves as it has been something I've wanted to do for years. My uncle was in Reg Force and he was my role model growing up. I'm physically fit, mentally sound and my Doctor said he would not hesitate to write me a letter of recommendation. I spoke to a local psychiatrist who was a family friend as knew of what I was going through said the same thing. Mind you, these aren't physicians who would say I could handle a gun/explosives just because they know my family, they wouldn't risk their jobs for that. My uncle was a former recruiter and also encouraged me to do so. I'm not sure if anyone else has been through something similar and was accepted or not, but five to eight years off of pills, no need for therapy except for the off 'couple session'... well, would something half a decade or more ago with no relapse still have a great chance as hindering me?
Thanks for reading through my wall of text, Take care all.
 
Hey guys, it's my first time posting here, but I've lurked around a few times. I've got a small problem at the moment, which I'm fairly sure won't jeopardize my application in the forces, but I'd like a bit of input from someone with a bit more experience than me.

So first off, I'm 16 years old. I currently have an application in the reserve for field artillery. Two or three summers ago I was hospitalized for a week for thoughts of suicide, depression, etc. I was put on antidepressants for about 7 months. I was then later placed on antidepressants last summer for about a week. After that week I discontinued use and changed my whole outlook on life. At times, I'll admit, I do feel down, but I'm sure every other human being has those off days. But overall, I'm doing a lot better. I put my application in approximately 4 months ago and I recently went to my medical exam and passed everything with flying colours, but I was told I need to go see a specialist and have them deem me "fit" for the military. So what I'm getting at is; I'd like to know, what are my chances of being accepted? Based on logic, opinion and personal experience. If there's anything else you guys need to know, I can fill you in.
 
Hello,

This is my first time posting anything here, and I'm hoping I can get some advice.

I'm hoping to join the CF and becoming a Communicator Research Operator but I am wondering if seeing a counsellor would negatively affect my application?

I have been having some mild anxiety (nothing intense, I don't think it would affect my performance at BMQ or anything) and lately I have been thinking about going to talk with one of the counsellors here at my university, just to get some advice on how to manage it better. I don't want to go on medication nor do I think I would need to, but I'm just wondering if just seeking this kind of help would hinder my chances at all?

Thanks.
 
Hey Micah, welcome to the forums.

First, thank you for posting in the right thread. If you notice the post above yours, its mine, so I have a bit of an idea what you're going through.

Anxiety is normal. If you haven't had a history of it, it could be situational. If its a little more lengthy it could be something considered Adjustment Disorder.

Adjustment Disorder is technically situational depression or anxiety. It can be brought on by adverse situations such as job loss, issue as school, abuse... things that can be remedied by a change in lifestyle.

My question to you is, has something happened to you since your anxiety started? Job loss, issues with school, a breakup? Even quitting smoking can have an adverse reaction to your everyday anxiety level.

If you seek counseling, that shows that you identify you need some help with something and the fact you're taking quit ownership of it can actually look good when you speak to someone at the CFRC. It shows that you take care of your health rather than let it fester and get increasingly worse like I did. If you're prescribed medications, you'll have to wait a year after you are on them before applying. Everybody experiences depression or anxiety at some time. They won't refuse someone who spoke to a counselor after a divorce, and from the sounds of it, something MAY be having an adverse effect on your mood.

Good luck, I'm still waiting for my medical to clear, and it should and my med file looks a lot worse than mild anxiety that you described, but its different case to case.



 
micah said:
I have been having some mild anxiety ....  but I'm just wondering if just seeking this kind of help would hinder my chances at all?

Anxiety is not depression.

What would be detrimental would be a MD's diagnosis of depression or an Anxiety disorder.



edit: I fixed up the end quote box. OM
 
I do not want to be a jerk here, however... My boss is depressive, his boss is depressive, 3 other guys in the section are depressive. None of it is their fault. Life sucks, the military is unfair, their wives are up to no good. Every thing is to hard. Mean while all that seems to me to be caused by a bad attitude. Also a common point between those people is they joined for the situation, not the passion. The few of us who do not suffer from that condition are paying the price big time. We are actually carrying those people on our back. Just imagine the consequences of that on the mission. Or picture yourself in Afghanistan surrounded by depressive people. The good Corporal is going to pay for everybody else again. The military is not a caritative organisation. If you have issues in your life sort it out before joining. Do not join hoping it will help you.

No offence, I am sure you have something to contribute but make sure you do not become a burden for the organisation.
 
Hi all,

I recently submitted my cf application and wanted to know what my chances are of getting an offer.

I am a pharmacy student and applied for a Pharmacy officer position in the regular forces.

I was diagnosed with bipolar and ADHD early 2010 and have been on seroquel since. I was on ritalin for a few months but was taken off them as my condition improved and I no longer needed them. 

It is my suspicion that ADHD was a misdiagnoses and that my poor focus and concentration were temporary and stress induced. I might be able to get a letter from my physician stating so.

I haven't had any mental health problems since and I feel confident I can take on any and all responsibilities the CF might assign me as a pharmacist.

My question is, as a pharmacy officer applicant are my chances of acceptance the same or higher given my diagnoses and the fact I do not intend to discontinue my seroquel medication.

Thank you in advance.

:salute:
 
pharmdog said:
My question is, as a pharmacy officer applicant are my chances of acceptance the same or higher given my diagnoses and the fact I do not intend to discontinue my seroquel medication.

As we have told many others, none of us can give you a definite answer to how your medical issue will be viewed by the CF. We can offer a guess based on the results experienced by others who have come here with a wide variety of conditions (some or none of which may be the same as yours) which usually is that ongoing problems requiring medication may result in an application not being successful. The only way for you to know for certain is to go through the application process.
 
To add to what Mike said, regardless of the MOSID being applied for, EVERYONE is held to the same, Common Enrollment Medical Standard.

MM
 
Thanks MM. That pretty much answered my question.

Good luck to the rest of you on you applications.
 
Hi,

I was misdiagnosed with ADHD. However, I do have mild OCD, bipolar, and general anxiety disorder; I assume I will be taking medications for life to manage my disorders (inherited). No human is perfect and most of us have some sort of mental disorder that is left untreated pharm or non-pharm methods. However, I'm working very hard to manage my life by taking medications and getting therapy on a regular basis. I still need to get my doses adjusted, but I believe I will get better. However, I called the medical staff at my local recruiting centre and one of the medical personel told me they do not allow applicants who take ANY antipsychotic medications and if they do, they must be off from them for one year before re-applying to the forces.

I've read this thread extensively and the only thing I can conclude is having to tell my entire story of misdiagnosis to being diagnosed with the disorders and having to work my *** off to manage my mental health.

It's ironic how the Canadian Forces doesn't allow applicants who take antipsychotics, but the soliders get PSTD after their experiences from the military/mission. They ultimately need some sort of treatment, wether the methods have to be pharm or non-pharm or both.

What do you think?
 
I think that it's the applicant's responsibility to meet the enrollment standard. Once enrolled, any medical care including psychiatric care, is the responsibility of the Crown.
 
:goodpost:


madeofcourage said:
Hi,

I was misdiagnosed with ADHD. However, I do have mild OCD, bipolar, and general anxiety disorder; I assume I will be taking medications for life to manage my disorders (inherited). No human is perfect and most of us have some sort of mental disorder that is left untreated pharm or non-pharm methods. However, I'm working very hard to manage my life by taking medications and getting therapy on a regular basis. I still need to get my doses adjusted, but I believe I will get better. However, I called the medical staff at my local recruiting centre and one of the medical personel told me they do not allow applicants who take ANY antipsychotic medications and if they do, they must be off from them for one year before re-applying to the forces.

I've read this thread extensively and the only thing I can conclude is having to tell my entire story of misdiagnosis to being diagnosed with the disorders and having to work my *** off to manage my mental health.

It's ironic how the Canadian Forces doesn't allow applicants who take antipsychotics, but the soliders get PSTD after their experiences from the military/mission. They ultimately need some sort of treatment, wether the methods have to be pharm or non-pharm or both.

What do you think?

That you just gave me a head ache trying to understand what you are getting at?

Seriously though the CF has an obligation to treat soldiers that DEVELOP conditions during their service and there in lies the difference between them and you.  We don't have the obligation to take you or anyone else with preexisting conditions. 
 
Made of courage for the love of god please don't join the Canadian Forces. Without a doubt their will be an old pissed off Warrant Officer tasked to look out for your best interest while you whither away at a PAT/PAR platoon some place in Canada. Then 3 years down the road you will be released and you will not be any better off then when you joined. Thank you for your interest and turn away from the recruiting depot. Thanks!
 
@MJP

Hi, I can clarify what's not understood (grammar?).

It's ironic how the Canadian Forces doesn't allow applicants who take antipsychotics, but the soliders get PSTD after their experiences from the military/mission. They ultimately need some sort of treatment, wether the methods have to be pharm or non-pharm or both.

I hope there is no misunderstanding here, of course antipsychotics is a great alarm whoever joins the army. What's im trying to say is, is it a case by case basis?

In short, I'd like to join the reserves, but not the forces full-time. However, the medical staff doesn't accept people with meds regardless of the situation even though it's minor/mild. However, I read some applicants pass even though they are taking meds? Correct me if I am wrong here.

@Tow Tripod

Thanks for the helpful advise.  ::)
 
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