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The Depression / Anti Depressants Merged Thread

  • Thread starter Thread starter FreshPez
  • Start date Start date
All excellent points. There's a bunch of stuff I could reply with, but this made it pretty obvious why everyone says just talk to the recruiter (or in this case, appropriate medical staff). I was going to say "well someone who simply disclosed to their doctor they were feeling depressed may not be any more likely to have suicidal ideations than someone who keeps it to themselves," and then it hit me, this is why they assess things on a case by case basis.
 
pointfiveoh said:
.....and then it hit me, this is why they assess things on a case by case basis.
And that insight only took four straw-clutching posts on your part from your original, unqualified 'advice.'  Excellent.  :not-again:
 
I am looking at applying for a job in the NCM. After a car accident when I was 16 I was diagnosed with a GAD and PTSD.  While these conditions are rarely present these days I am 25.  Would I still be able to apply?  I am an anti_depressent/anxiety medication called Cipralex and I have plans on stopping it within a year with permission from my doctor.  I also take ritalin on aneeded basis such as school days.  And while PTSD is always on my record I don't think it really reflects who I am todayy.  I am in good physical health and just love learning. If. So my question is, is this a no go? Or do I have quite chance
 
I am not a doctor, current CF member (just an applicant), etc...

That being said, having issues with anxiety and depression, especially with PTSD in your past CAN put you into a higher risk category for suffering Operational Stress Injuries while serving in the CF. Since all soldiers are required to meet Universality of Service, concerns with anxiety/depression - especially when medication is involved, could reasonably complicate your application. There is all sorts of research about the side effects and potential dangers of withdrawal from certain medications as well. From the extensive Medical that is required it's clear the CF is pretty proactive about identifying any potential problems that could arise from any medical conditions you have. This is just from my own research and studies about OSIs, other applicants that have had trouble with their applications for this reason, etc.

You can still apply despite all of this - and I would greatly encourage you to speak with a recruiter if this is really something you want to do! Anyone can apply, and the worst they can say is "no". If they do, then if your plan is still to try and come off of your medication, medically supervised, then try reapplying in the future. Ultimately it is up to Ottawa whether they reject the medical or not, so there probably aren't many people on here who can give you a definitive answer.

There are quite a few threads about this same topic as well though. Try the search function and see what comes up. Also, someone smarter and more experienced than me may weigh in as well.

Good Luck with everything you do!!
 
londonknight87 said:
I am an anti_depressent/anxiety medication called Cipralex and I have plans on stopping it within a year with permission from my doctor.  I also take ritalin on aneeded basis such as school days.  And while PTSD is always on my record I don't think it really reflects who I am todayy.  I am in good physical health and just love learning. If. So my question is, is this a no go? Or do I have quite chance

Some discussion here you may find helpful.

The Recruiting Office > Enrollment Medical > The Depression / Anti Depressants Merged Thread 
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/13192.25
 
mariomike said:
Some discussion here you may find helpful.

The Recruiting Office > Enrollment Medical > The Depression / Anti Depressants Merged Thread 
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/13192.25
And merged

Milnet.ca Staff
 
Hello. I just came across this thread and I thought it was appropriate to post a question here rather than creating a new thread. To begin I'm at the age of 31 and I plan on applying for the military this summer but my question is this. I was in a vehicle accident in the summer of 2003 and I ended up traumatized for a short period of time. I had to visit a mental health psychiatrist and she did a diagnosis and came to the conclusion that I was bipolar. This was the first time I was diagnose with bipolar. Anyways, I was prescribed lithium for 3 months then I stopped taking them because I believed I didn't need more. But the problem was this. I never told my psychiatrist when I stopped using them. Years later I was binge drinking and I got in trouble with friends and family and they contacted the police to escort me to the mental health clinic for 3 weeks. To my surprise my psychiatrist said I was depressed and she prescribed me lithium again which I only took for 3 months. Again I never told her that I stopped taking it after 3 months. Then in 2009 I applied for the Canadian armed forces. I went through all the application and selection process. I passed my aptitude test with high scores but when the results came for my medical test I received a letter stating I had 'recurrent depression in 2008' because of my binge drinking and trouble with family friends. So I decided not to join the army. Years later I decided I really want to join and believe I am mentally fit. So in 2012 I talked to my psychiatrist for the last time. I had a long discussion with her about my future endeavours and she said I would have to take a new kind of medication called 'Olanzapine' for a year in order to be sure I'm not diagnosed with a serious kind of long term bipolar disorder. So I agreed to take the medication. Its been a year already and I decided to wait 6 more months just to be sure the Canadian forces medical doctor doesn't decline my application due to immediate joining after taking medication. To be on the safe side will 6 months be long enough for me to pass my medical test or should I wait?

Thanks in advance

Triston
 
Firstly, only Recruiting can give you the answer you seek.

Secondly, from my experience doing recruit medicals the history you've shared here would be incompatible with military service. Ordinarily one has to be off medication for a year or more. You must prepare yourself for a negative response to your application.
 
Agreed with above, but more. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is incompatible with service period, and will result in release if you do manage to get in somehow and it's found out later.
 
Thanks for the quick response. I'll be sure to walk down to the registration office and inquire more information. As for the waiting period I'm prepared to wait for a year and 6 months after taking medication.
 
Hey all,

So a little bit of back story to give context to my question. I'm 19 now, I have been on the anti-depressant fluoxetine, common name prozac, twice now. Once was from 13 to 14, and then again from about 17 to present. I have never been suicidal or a danger to myself or others in any way. Originally it was for major issues with my father as a child, but the second time I believe it was from feeling a lack of direction in my life. I always seem to be at my worst when I have no direction or objective. I have always had high grades in school and I graduated high school at 16 and finished my 3 year general science degree this year. I never had to work hard for those grades and I spent most of my time just coasting through life. This led to being overweight and bored throughout my teenage years.

Three months ago though, I decided enough was enough and that I would make something of myself. I started looking into joining the CF and the more I researched it the more I could just feel it inside that this is where I belong and what I want to dedicate myself to for the rest of my life. Two months ago I got LASIK surgery to get rid of my glasses for my dream of becoming a pilot. I already talked to the recruiter about LASIK and I know that I have to wait a full year before applying with a doctors note for my eyes. I started at 280 pounds and in the past 2 months I've dropped to 251. I have been going to the gym 3 times a week for weight training and 3 other times for cardio as well as watching my eating.

At the end of August I spoke to my doctor about getting off the prozac and we agreed the best way to go would be to wean me off. As of last week I am no longer taking any anti-depressants and I feel better than ever. I have been dedicating myself to getting in shape and searching for volunteer opportunities and finally feel like I have direction in life.

As I was browsing through some forums the other day I noticed someone from the US say that having a history of anti-depressants will cause your application to be declined. Is it the same for the CF? These past 2 months have been some of my best and I literally don't go a day without browsing forums for information or learning all that I can and every time I work out I push myself just a little bit harder with the thought of being able to join in a year.

Taking into consideration that due to my eyes I would not be able to be accepted until September of 2014 and that I will have been off my anti-depressants since the end of September 2013, is my dream of joining the CF just a pipe-dream? Will my past issues prevent me from joining?

Thank you for reading my wall of text and taking the time to answer me. I will attempt to go to the recruiting office in my city tomorrow between work shifts if I can get access to transportation to see what information they have for me there.
 
Wow!  The first thing that comes to mind is "Good for you!" for taking charge of your life and trying to get to a place that makes "you" comfortable!

Regretably, your question can't be answered here.  Anything that has to do with possible "medical issues" can ONLY be addressed by the Medical Staff at your local CFRC and only after you have submitted an application and commenced the actual processing.  So don't count yourself out!!!

If Pilot is your occupation of choice, then the LASIK will have an effect, there is a waiting period, off hand I don't recall exactly what it is but I am sure someone will point this part out.

If you feel that you are ready to apply, then go ahead and do it!  You have nothing to lose......other than kicking yourself later on in life for not at least trying!
 
More discussion here you may find helpful.

Recruiting > The Depression / Anti Depressants Merged Thread 
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/13192.0.html
 
I have been treated for depression in the past . Havent been on meds for about 2 years. I was only treated for a year. Was wondering if I still would have at getting in the navy with my husband. Any input would  be appreciated.
 
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