Medical defferal

anymeans

Hey all,

My fianace has been suffering with post natal depression, my employer suggested I talk to my GP about support available. To cut a long story short, my regular GP wasn't available so I took whoever was available, ended up walking out with an anti-depression perscription for myself, never cashed the perscription and didn't take any pills as I thought it was abit overzealous once I got home and actually thought about it, didn't cash it and didn't think anymore of it at the time but now it's on my medical record.

I still have the perscription, does anyone know if I can talk to my regular GP and have it atleast noted on my record that I didn't take any medication? And if even this would still be likely to put me on a medical defferal?

I'm going to get myself down to speak to my army careers advisor Monday and bring this up, just wondering if anyone has some guidance in advance. Keep thinking I should have questioned or denied the perscription in the first place, just didn't think with everything going on at the time with all the cuts announced I'm not sure where this will leave a future application, always wanted to serve and I'll be devestated if I can't get in.

Many thanks.

Esoog

In very general terms;

Medical conditions that preclude entry:
· The conditions in the table below make a person permanently unsuitable, except where specifically time limited, for entry into the Armed Forces.
· Note: This table is for general guidance only. Many conditions that are compatible with civilian employment and sport may be considered incompatible with military service. If you have a recurrent medical condition that is not mentioned below, or if you are unclear about the impact of your medical history, you should seek further advice from your AFCA.
Please note that Armed Forces Careers Advisers and their office staff are not medically qualified and that all final decisions regarding medical suitability for entry are only made by appropriately appointed medical staff

Psychiatric disorders
Ongoing psychiatric illness. Psychosis. Schizophrenia. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Autism. Personality disorder. More than one episode of deliberate self-harm of any type. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Alcohol, drug or substance dependence. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) unless free of symptoms and not requiring treatment for at least three years. Anorexia and bulimia.



Speak to the ACA and speak to your Doctor, at some point he'll be asked to fill in a RG8 (medical history type thing) so it's not worth trying to hide it (not that you've suggested you were going to).

If you talk to your GP and explain the situation I'm sure he's likely to be able to assess if you're a manic depressive or not! My gut feeling is it won't be a problem whatsoever, however I'm not qualified to say that for sure as I'm not appropriately appointed medical staff

anymeans

Haha no worries thanks for the reply.

My regular GP has known me since birth, not that I make a habbit of going to see her but when I have from what I remember, I had perscription meds in highschool for acne, an ingrown toenail and man flu once upon a time, nothing previous with mental health and I've always been a happy go lucky character, which my employer/character references will show no doubt.

You think doctor or ACA first port of call?

Thanks again.

peteuk

Firstly be honest, for sure you have had them prescribed and even if you have or havent taken any the fact you havent had a repeat should speak volumes.

One prescription of anti depressents is not going to cure a depression, they might have helped with some of the associated symptoms ie lack of sleep. It might be that in discussion the doctor felt you would benefit from them.

I would be interested to find out who is asking your medical details, no one in the AFCA should be asking, as they tend not to be medical, the medical side of joining should be by a doctor. He should also see that a one off prescription is nothing.

I would add though I had a friend who had just got over PND, and she was deferred for a year. She had had depression for about 18 months. Depression of one sort or another is so wide spread these days.

I cant see you having a problem (but thats my oppion).

anymeans

Hello thanks for the reply.

I haven't been asked any medical questions yet. I was in talks with my local TA unit late 2009 (previous to my perscription which was in feb this year) there we're a couple of young lads with me one who had previously taken meds for ADHD (he mentioned it to the Sergeant whilst we were all there) and he was told certain meds can put his application on a deferral and he would need to tell the doctor when he did our medicals that night. Passed the medical no problem and got all the official paperwork for my application to serve.

I changed my mind at this point as ultimately I wanted to serve full time, deciding to wait until my fiance's health had improved enough that she felt she could cope during the time I'd need away initially, rather than go part time and move to full time later (how accurate this is I don't know; but I heard it was hard to move from TA to regular) Then I saw the GP under my bosses advice 3/4 months later and got the perscription.

It just popped into my head that I have this on my record now, also with what I heard from the TA Sgt I was getting abit worried I may have to wait years. My fiance's in good health now and we expect our second son in 3 weeks, touch wood if she's ok this time it would be ealry 2011 I'd like to start my application. I really can't stomache my job much longer, supermarket work just isn't for me :rotfl: