Posted by mattdds on May 5, 2004, at 1:47:32
Hey all,
I've been MIA for a while. Anyone here remember me?
I have a question for anyone who has done military service.
I'm graduating from dental school in exactly one week, and have to report to officer training later this summer, and then in fall for an overseas assignment (not Iraq).
Until now, I've been technically in the "reserve" status, as I was on the military scholarship for health professionals. Now, I'm going on active duty as a captain, and they will want an updated medical status, and physical.
At the time I was comissioned, and at the time of my physical for accession, I had not been diagnosed with panic disorder, so I did not report it. I did tell them that I had a bout of depression (which in retrospect, was misdiagnosed - it really was panic and anxiety) and took Prozac years back (all true, at the time). The problem is that since then, I *have* been diagnosed, and my psychiatrist uses DSM 200.1 as the diagnosis code for my meds and insurance. So, it's officially documented in my medical history.
Now obviously, lying is not an option here. But, I am worried about being considered "fit for duty". I really feel that I am fit for it, physically and mentally, it's just that meds have really helped stabilize my conditions (panic, generalized anxiety). I feel 100% fit for service. I am in *no way* trying to dodge my duty obligation, and actually really want to serve. The military paid for all my dental training, I fully intend to pay it back, so long as they will let me, and if that doesn't mean ripping me off meds.
So I'm in a bind.
Do I just go to the physical and straight up tell them everything? Do I have to offer up all the details in terms of severity, or can I just say that I was diagnosed with "anxiety" and need medication.
Are they OK with servicemen being on meds? Or is this a condition that inherently makes me "unit for duty"?
Anybody have any answers? I've scoured the internet, and I don't want to contact them until I get all the information I can on this. I do plan on telling them about it, but what will this mean?
Any experts here? Any help, ideas, or especially first hand experiences would be greatly appreciated!
mattdds
poster:mattdds
thread:343508
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040429/msgs/343508.html