Can I join?

[Anonymous]

Hi I REALLY want to join the Army and go into MOS 96H....But, I have a concern.

3 years ago my mother died from Colon cancer when I was 17 years old. My dad had died not to long before that and naturally I become very upset over the whole thing. I went and saw a Psyciatric Nurse Practitioner who gave me Depokote and said that she thought that I might have Bi-Polar disorder (Or Manic Depression) I was on the meds for about 3 months and it made me feel worse so I went off them on my own. For over 2 years now I have been fine. No depression....I talked to a Doc who told me that there is no way I could have had Bi-Polar because I don't have those type of symptoms. He told me that it was a grief period and nothing more...So, my question is what do I do at MEPS? Should I tell them about this? I don't want this to disqualify me from the army since I know I am not depressed. What Can I Do? Many people have told me to lie about it...Can I get caught for lying? I mean are they going to look up all of my past medical records????? HELP!!!!!!!1

[Anonymous]

First the worst thing you can do is lie. You never know just what they are going to check and if you lie and it comes out, then you are gone for fraudulent enlistment. Misdiagnoses happen, and you won't be penalized for it as long as you are up front about it.

[Anonymous]

: First the worst thing you can do is lie. You never know just what they are
: going to check and if you lie and it comes out, then you are gone for
: fraudulent enlistment. Misdiagnoses happen, and you won't be penalized for
: it as long as you are up front about it.


Are they going to request all of my past medical records? The doctor that I had seen that told me that I didn't have BI-Polar didn't document it...I saw him as a friend not really as a doc? Should I go get a diagnosis now? What do you think I can do? I would hate to have this misdiagnoses mess up my chances with the military.

[Anonymous]

I'd say just tell them exactly what you told us. It is perfectly reasonable that you were depressed considering. You got a misdiagnosis, as is clear from the fact the meds did not work. You only took them a few months, and have been free and clear since. You probably just need a note from a doctor reassuring that in his/her opinion you are fine, and backing up what you said. You should be good to go then. Broach the topic with your recruiter first see what they say. But it wouldn't be a good idea not to mention it. Best of luck! Hilary

hekelh@central.edu

[Anonymous]

: Hi:) DO NOT LIE!!! if you get caught and eventually you will you will be dishonorably discharged:( go ahead and tell MEPS that u were incorrectly diagnosed, they will understand! I am sorry to hear about your parents, i don't think that i could cope with loosing mine. But this only proves that u r and extremely strong women and we could use your kind in the army. If this is what u want to do go through with it!!! BEST OF LUCK!!! C/MSG Suzie


suzietremblay55@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your advice on this. I really do want to join but I am still a bit afraid to bring this up. A year ago I was fired from a job when I told them that I was diagnosed with BI-Polar but not on meds and that I didn't believe I had it. That's when I went and talked to my friend (A Pshyciatric Physician) and asked his advice. It really wasn't a session or anything so I'm sure there is no documentaion of it. MY worry is that if the army were to read my past medical records the last thing they'd see is that I had depression after loosing my mother and that I went and saw this Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Then they'd get her records and see that she felt I had BI-Polar disorder. At that time I really was upset and I told her that I was depressed. If they read the records they will think that I am a depressed person. It doesn't say anywhere in the records about me going off the meds because I did it on my own..! Do you see what I mean? If I mentioned this to them are they going to want my past medical records? Am I really obligated to mention it to them since I know now it was a misdiagnosis? Do you understand what I mean?

Thanks...

[Anonymous]

I see what you're saying, but you still shouldn't hide it. The military doesn't appreciate lying, but if you're still worried about it, they do appreciate documentation. See if you can get that friend of yours to write a nice official letter of explanation. Our best advice is don't lie, it really is a big deal, and they will ask. You could be disqualified for lying. BEST of luck:) Hilary

[Anonymous]

Don't lie. If you feel you are up to be in the service, you are!

The situation you were in certainly warranted depressed behaviour, but the situation doesn't mean that is your norm. From my experience, what it comes down to is whether or not they feel you are a threat to yourself or others. Ask yourself that and continue as you see fit. Best of luck!

aimeeldavis@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

: Hi I REALLY want to join the Army and go into MOS 96H....But, I have a
: concern.
:
: 3 years ago my mother died from Colon cancer when I was 17 years old. My dad
: had died not to long before that and naturally I become very upset over
: the whole thing. I went and saw a Psyciatric Nurse Practitioner who gave
: me Depokote and said that she thought that I might have Bi-Polar disorder
: (Or Manic Depression) I was on the meds for about 3 months and it made me
: feel worse so I went off them on my own. For over 2 years now I have been
: fine. No depression....I talked to a Doc who told me that there is no way
: I could have had Bi-Polar because I don't have those type of symptoms. He
: told me that it was a grief period and nothing more...So, my question is
: what do I do at MEPS? Should I tell them about this? I don't want this to
: disqualify me from the army since I know I am not depressed. What Can I
: Do? Many people have told me to lie about it...Can I get caught for lying?
: I mean are they going to look up all of my past medical records?????
: HELP!!!!!!!1


MEPS are human too. Tell the truth, if you get caught lying you are busted out. Before you go to MEPS, go back to the doctor that told you that you'd been missed diagnosed and get letters backing this up. Good luck

traumahead@hotmail.com