US Army and Depression

[Rudster816]

I'll keep this short.

When I was 8 or 9 years old (can't remember exactly how old I was) I was diagnosed with depression (I'm and not sure of the exact diagnoses) and have been taking medication ever since (and still am, I turn 17 on August 16). I plan on stopping this medication ASAP (the next time I go see my doctor), because as I have read, the Army will not accept you if you have been on anti-depressants in the last year. I have felt fine for years, handle stress very well, etc. Right now I have my family doctor writing my prescription, and he had nothing to do with the diagnoses, and this is far beyond his area of expertise (family medicine), so I haven't gotten any evaluation in several years. I currently feel that I have been unnecessarily taking this medication for years, but I will have to wait and find out.

How will this hurt my chances of securing an 11X Option 40 contract? I would talk to a recruiter (I'm emailing one immediately after posting this), but I feel that he\she will just tell me that I would need to get evaluated at MEPS without giving me any type of further input. From my current understanding I will need a waiver, I don't believe this will be a huge problem, but I am unsure on how needing this waiver will affect my chances of being able to join under 11X (let alone an Option 40).

I understand this is difficult to answer (or impossible), but I appreciate any bit of information. I really just want to know how tough the battle will be for me to be allowed to join.

[Silverback]

Make sure you withdraw from the medicine under Doctor's orders.

Anti depressants are disqualifying for 1 year after you stop taking them. You MUST stop with your doctors advice, DO NOT stop on your own. These medications often have to be reduced slowly to lower side effects and reduce risk of relapse. Once you are off and depression free for 1 year get copies of your treatment paperwork, including therapy notes and take them with you to your recruiter. They will submit the documents to MEPS for review. MEPS will either DQ you, allow you to physical and enlist, or allow you to physical with a waiver (most likely).

[goon175]

You'll have fun with this one. Once you say things like "Diagnosed" and "been taking medication ever since " the eye brows will raise (rise?) and things will get difficult. The Army, or the military in general, does not want to mess with psych issues. Read the news and you will see why. I'm not going to say its impossible (in my short time in USAREC so far it seems as though nothing is), but it most likely won't be very easy. And im talking about just getting in. I can't imagine the 75th Ranger Regiment is gonna want someone with a long-standing history of depression. AGAIN, I'm not saying its impossible.... Just keep in mind, "history of depression" equates to "gonna blow his head off in basic" to the army.

[IEDmagnet]

Just keep in mind, "history of depression" equates to "gonna blow his head off in basic" to the army.

I just spit my milk out again. That was funny as hell. Two thumbs up!!!