Posted by Smeegle on February 7, 2005, at 14:33:09
In reply to Re: I like your truth, posted by pretty_paints on February 7, 2005, at 4:09:40
I see both a psychiatrist and a psychologist. At first when it was what I thought was just depression, I started out with my GP, but we rapidly determined that it was way beyond her ability to help me. Yes, I do live in the states and am blessed to have excellent insurance (mental health is covered 100%, no copay, no deductible...there are limits on something like 30 outpatient visits per year and 30 days inpatient, though if circumstances required I doubt they'd refuse to cover...haven't had to cross that bridge). I have heard that a pdoc does not have to disclose any information that they believe could be harmful (trigger??). I can't imagine what in his notes could.would be harmful since in my mind it would only be what I had said to him and his comments and/or professional notations. Anyhow, paranoid or not, I fully believe I would get an edited version which would not tell me what I wanted to know in the first place. And to some degree, I understand their reluctance to pin a specific diagnosis unless they are classic textbook symptoms. But I still wanna know!
Also, yes that was my post under the military medication topic. I can't speak for the other branches, but the USMC will disqualify anyone ever diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or had ever taken Adderall, Ritalin, etc. I know for a fact that recruiters have told recuits to "leave it off" if they have been off for at least a year (some less than that). I certainly don't blame the military for the situation he has gotten himself into. But having said that, and based upon extensive research I have done on both PTSD and Bipolar, he fits the profile. Although it doesn't always require a trigger, Bipolar can be triggered by prolonged exposure to extreme stressors (PTSD comes in many forms...in his case being in a combat zone for 8 months). His behavior before and after are like night and day. You asked what it means to be a deserter. It means he left base on unauthorized leave, then after not reporting back in for 30 days he was reported as being a deserter. He simply left and didn't go back. It is increasingly becoming a problem here as we cycle our troops in/out of Iraq. Being a deserter is a serious offense and he is going to own up to it and accept the consequences. He was stripped of all rank, will never qualify for any veterans benefits and will receive a dishonorable discharge. I make no excuses for how he handled things. But I do know that there were so many signs that this was a kid in crisis and so much could have been avoided. They ask you ONE TIME, "are you okay" and never followup. When someone goes from being "an outstanding Marine" to one acting completely out of character, I would think he would have been referred for counseling. As for the drug thing, the USMC has a zero tolerance policy on that. I have Army friends and know that they at least offer substance abuse treatment before simply issueing a dishonorable discharge. My son cries at night with the shame of what he has done. Not that he got caught, not that he has to face the consequences. Because his life's dreams are ruined and there is no way he can turn back the pages of time.
Smeegs
poster:Smeegle
thread:452494
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050207/msgs/454403.html