What are my chances of joining the US army after being diagnosed with depression as a minor?

Ricky Fredo — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 01:21:00 -0400

To give some referance, I just turned 20 years old. When i was 15 my dog died, my girlfriend broke up with me, and my father lost his job and we got the news we had to move to a new state within the same week. At the time i was fairly sad about the situation, so my mother brought me to a psychologist or therapist (not sure which) and i was diagnosed with depression and given anti-depressants. I dont believe i should have ever been put on meds or diagnosed, and believe i was misdiagnosed. I took the meds for about a year before realizing they were doing more harm than good for me so i stopped taking them. I believe i was misdiagnosed with depression, and should not have been given meds. It has been about 3 years now since i have been on meds or seen a doctor about anything sadness/depression related, and I have been doing very well. What are the chances of me being let into the US army? Would it help for me to get a letter from a doctor saying I am mentally fit for military service? I am not really sure what to do as I was a minor and my mother kinda pushed me into getting meds and being diagnosed. I really hope my chances arent shot because of this situation.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 6:53 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 06:53:58 -0400

https://www.ourmilitary.com/can-you-join-the-military-with-depression/

can-you-join-the-military-with-depression

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 27 at 2020 6:55 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 06:55:33 -0400

Talk with the recruiter, you may have to go thru a psych evaluation, it's up to those at MEPS.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 27 at 2020 7:10 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 07:10:01 -0400

I would definitely get the letter and all the specifics possible about the case including the medications you were given and then talk with a recruiter.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 8:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 08:07:57 -0400

Based on your recounting of events I would hazard a guess that your depression was more episodic than chronic. I would encourage you to talk a to a recruiter for the most up to date information. BE HONEST every step of the way. I hate to say it but I’ve known recruiters in the past who encourage soldiers to withhold information, but it almost always comes out. Better to face the additional scrutiny now then get popped on a fraudulent enlistment later.

The thing the Army looks for us stability. If you’re not on medication, don’t have a recent history of episodes and are willing to undergo a full scope psychiatric evaluation you should be fine. The only thing that kind of sets off a buzzer to me is that you elected to stop taking medication on your own. That may take some explaining, but I’m sure that can be worked out to. Good luck, work hard, always do the right thing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 9:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 09:45:24 -0400

You may find the biggest hurtle to overcome with this situation is that you took yourself off the meds and that is was not directed by a doctor. I would recommend you talk with a recruiter and be honest. You will surely have to see a civilian doctor to clear you of the depression since it was clinically diagnosed, even if you feel it was wrong, they will have to back that up. Best of luck to you

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 27 at 2020 10:02 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 10:02:23 -0400

Considering 90% of the military is clinically depressed at one point or another, I can't imagine it's too difficult...

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 27 at 2020 11:05 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 11:05:34 -0400

You will need to speak to your recruiter honestly and schedule a sit down with your doctor to start the process of getting documentation to validate your current mental state.

Response by SSgt BillandMaggie Straub made Jul 27 at 2020 1:08 PM

SSgt BillandMaggie Straub — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 13:08:14 -0400

I don't know if this may help you, my son was diagnosed as depressed when he was a young teen. His Mom and I had recently divorced and I was relocated to GA because of my job. His mother insisted that he had anger issues. I personally never saw them, but I was living in GA and didn't see him daily. The doctor put him on Prozac. That's when I noticed a change in him. Talking on the phone, and coming up to CT to visit frequently because of business. I spoke to him about it and he was very honest telling me that the medication seemed to cause his issues. I told his mother to take him off the meds. And since we had joint custody she had no choice. I told his doctor to stop prescribing the meds. A few months later. He seems to be his old self again. He had been sad about the breakup and wasn't sure about my feelings towards him. I reassured him that my love hadn't changed and he was still the most important person in my life. When he was 18 he came to live in GA with me and my new wife. Fantastic young man. Graduated from HS and joined the Navy. Spent 4 years in 3 on the USS Enterprise. Upon discharge, he used his benefits and got his college degree and now has a great job that allows him to travel around the US and the World. The depression diagnosis had no bearing. Hope this helps.

Response by SPC Ray Blaylock made Jul 27 at 2020 4:05 PM

SPC Ray Blaylock — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 16:05:50 -0400

Hate to say but idk back when I enlisted they really didn't care what was wrong with someone as long as you could hold up your hand to be sworn in, you were good to go but that was back in the 80s. From what I have heard and read it's a lot harder to get in now. But for sure be honest and good luck and god bless

Response by Ricky Fredo made Jul 27 at 2020 6:29 PM

Ricky Fredo — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 18:29:46 -0400

Thank you all for the responses! My general consensus is just to schedule another psych appointment and see if they can write me a letter or maybe even void my previous diagnosis (not even sure if thats a thing)... But these responses give me a lot of hope! Good thing is i am 100% set on joining so even if it takes 3 years to prove i am mentally fit I am willing to do that

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 6:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 18:32:11 -0400

Did you ask a recruiter?

Response by SPC Stephanie Mccurley made Jul 27 at 2020 9:32 PM

SPC Stephanie Mccurley — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 21:32:20 -0400

If you aren’t taking medication and you’re fine now just don’t say anything about it

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 9:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 21:44:23 -0400

You're going to have to gain ALL of the documents from when you were being seen. During the recruitment process, medical documents are used to paint an overall picture and a decision can be made off of that. They will need documents from when you were seen and the release documents on why you were released from their care. You will also need all pharmacy notes from when you were on medication. Pharmacy notes will prove that you have either been on or off the medication for the prescribed period of time. Medication is typically two years for how long you'd need to be off of them. Its a very long process, but one that cannot be done without first sitting down and talking to a recruiter first.

Response by COL Kelly Hines made Jul 31 at 2020 2:40 PM

COL Kelly Hines — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:40:35 -0400

Give it a shot and be honest with the recruiter. I don't think it will stop you from entering, could limit your MOS choices etc and may require a waiver. Won't know until you try though...just don't be that guy looking back wishing he had tried...