Can I get a waiver to join the Marine Corps if I had been prescribed Antidepressants and diagnosed as ADHD meds?

2018-06-05T12:33:17-04:00

So I’m currently 19. When I was 17 I was prescribed Antidepressants and ADHD meds. I look them for 6 months then got off them per my doctor saying I longer show symptoms of depression or anxiety. So at that time the doctor said she misdiagnosed me with ADHD so I stop taking the ADHD meds. I’m trying to join the Marine Corps. So would I be wasting a recruiters time or should I be able to get waivers? i don’t show any current symptoms of any mental health. I know there’s regulations restricting from recruiters signing anyone that was prescribed ADHD medicines or antidepressants it’s been a year on a half since I took either or. I had Tricare so Martin Army community Hospital has all my paperwork on the meds I was prescribed. Any thoughts?

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jun 5 at 2018 12:53 PM

2018-06-05T12:53:15-04:00

See a recruiter, things change all the time.. You won't be wasting a recruiters time.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2018 12:53 PM

2018-06-05T12:53:38-04:00

Go to the recruiter, but first: get all of your medical records. For the Army, adhd was not a disqualification, the anti depression medication might require a waiver. Ensure you meet all other requirements first. Good luck, and if they say no, there are other services where you can serve.

Response by SFC William Adamek made Jun 5 at 2018 1:39 PM

2018-06-05T13:39:06-04:00

Your real problem may be finding a recruiter that will be willing to invest the time into you with the possibility that you still may not be able to join. Medical waivers are long and time consuming and more often than not, with negative results. According to your statement above, you were misdiagnosed with ADHD and taken off the drugs for that but nothing was stated about the depression or anxiety. Don't let this discourage you but be prepared for a long haul if you can find a recruiter from any service that will do the long haul with you. I was one of those that would do these but only after talking with the parents, teachers, friends etc. to make sure that the individual was truly in it for the long haul.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2018 1:39 PM

2018-06-05T13:39:23-04:00

Cheyenne Hudson Gather all of your medical records and go see a Recruiter. Please keep us posted on the outcome. Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2018 2:27 PM

2018-06-05T14:27:04-04:00

I don't know if you're eligible, you'd have to check with the recruiters since it's been a little while from being on those medications.

I ran into a Navy recruit who didn't make it through Naval Basic Training, cause he told his drill instructor he was depressed and they sent him to a Psychologist & then they booted him out. I said to the recruit- "look everyone is depressed, it's freaking Basic Training- you just have to get through it." Get some mental and physical toughness and you can make it through anything.

IOT enjoy the suck... you'll get through it.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2018 4:30 PM

2018-06-05T16:30:54-04:00

See a Recruiter. I just want to encourage thought though, regarding how well you react to stress. Only you know, and you can expect it at Boot and in service. Nothing to fear, but be aware and ask yourself. They have a process in place to evaluate you for potential service. Lay it all out and find out. Good luck.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2018 4:37 PM

2018-06-05T16:37:58-04:00

Its very easy to get the waiver. I had literally the same case as you.

Response by PO3 Damion Brown made Jun 7 at 2018 11:19 PM

2018-06-07T23:19:02-04:00

Nobodies business keep it to yourself

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 8:21 AM

2018-12-16T08:21:09-05:00

I know that if you have or had ADHD or any other mental disease you have to be 2 years off of your medication and get approval from your doctor before you can join, but since it was a misdiagnosis, you should be able to just talk to your recruiter and they probably just ask you to get verification from your doctor that you were misdiagnosed. Either way, you'll still be able to join provided you have no other issues

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Mar 20 at 2020 7:26 AM

2020-03-20T07:26:23-04:00

If you have been off ADHD medication for over a year and show satisfactory academic and/or work performance, that one is no longer a no go. However, the treatment of depression with medication could be a killer. If the doctor that prescribed the antidepressants thinks it was a misdiagnoses and will state that in writing, you may find a recruiter that will run you through the MEPS doctors to see if they will accept the new diagnoses. Good Luck.