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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mmcconathy on January 31, 2005, at 19:46:45
I just got a call from a recriuter from the U.S army, wanting me to look into it, explaining about i could be a legal specialist in the Military Service, well , dammit i said yes.
He asked what medications are you taking?
I said Adderall 30mg
thats all, didnt tell him klonopin, or cymbalta.He said well good, that will keep you up and tight.
I do know the air-force provides Dexedrine to piliots during desert storm, and mainly benzedrine during WW2. I dont know if they will be authoritive and only permit one dose, not mainteince it.
Ok if i do join the army, will they disreguard antidepressants, i heard Tranquilizers are not liked mainly decreasing alertness.
My god, and i am just recovering from dissociative episodes, who knows how many personalites will emergy after I return home from Iraq.
Sorry, ignore my pessimism.
Anyway i need your advice, or knowlage for this situation.
Please!
Matt
Posted by MM on January 31, 2005, at 23:33:31
In reply to Are medications permitted in United States Army, posted by mmcconathy on January 31, 2005, at 19:46:45
You'd probably have to ask a representative for the Army, maybe anonymously? I do have a friend who was discharged for not disclosing his bipolar though, and well, because he was bipolar, so I'm not sure where the line is drawn on those issues. With your psychological stresses, do you really want to put yourself in a situation of almost 100% certainty of more, possibly extreme, mental stress? Lying about your medications could also prove dangerous not only for you, but others out there. Just some stuff to think about, not trying to tell you what you should do. Anyway, just my 2 (or 20) cents.
Posted by banga on February 1, 2005, at 1:50:07
In reply to Re: Are medications permitted in United States Army » mmcconathy, posted by MM on January 31, 2005, at 23:33:31
I am not sure about thew medication history's effect on admmittance to the army. I personally wonder if this is the time to be thinking about a move like that -that is just my opinion. YOu seem to be in a lot of stress, a job in the army will most likely be very demanding and stressful.
You just posted about maybe needing the hospital, so it seems you are in rough shape and may not be up for the stressors of the army. Maybe later you would be up for it and in a better place to handle it. But of course I am not in your shoes......
Posted by mattdds on February 1, 2005, at 3:18:34
In reply to Re: Are medications permitted in United States Army, posted by banga on February 1, 2005, at 1:50:07
Hi there,
To answer your question briefly, yes, you can take many medications in the US Military. For example, I take clonazepam, and am in the US Army. Recently, I've been considering taking up another medication as well, and my military p-doc (mp-doc?) is okay with it.
You have far more to consider than just that though with your condition (sorry, but I'm not sure of your diagnosis).
First, make no mistake, joining the military is an *enormous* committment! Please read that sentence twice.
I commissioned as an officer, and had to go to officer basic course (OBC). OBC, compared to enlisted basic training is a joke, from what I hear from my enlisted friends. It is so demanding, and the sergeants *will* intentionally put you under enormous mental stress. For the mentally healthy, this can build character. For someone who has a very active psychiatric condition, it could spell disaster. Keep in mind these drill sergeants do not care about or much less understand your condition. They are there to train you to fight, and that's about it!
When I went through OBC (much easier than enlisted basic training), I remember thinking there would have been no way to handle the stress when I was at my worst. Fortunately, I was stabilized by the time I got to OBC. Otherwise, I would NOT have made it!
Life doesn't get too much easier after basic, especially for enlisted soldiers. Expect to be waking up at 0500 every day, doing intense physical training daily (even as an enlisted legal specialist), doing heavy training for your MOS (job specialty), and going through constant change. Don't forget, we are at war. A deployment to the middle east (probably Iraq) is extremely likely at this point. No job in the military is excluded from deployments, and I have friends (dentists) that are in Iraq.
I'm a dentist for the military, so it's a bit easier. The dental corps is pretty laid back. But still, it would be very difficult were I not stabilized.
Another consideration. Take everything your recruiter says with a very large grain of salt. They are there to get people to sign on the dotted line, and are notorious for being deceptive! They will say almost anything (lies included) to get you to sign that paper! Beware!
Be upfront about everything! Give your diagnosis, your medications...everything. The military will likely accept you if you have an anxiety or depressive disorder, provided that it will not interfere with your work. Some diagnoses *will* preclude you from the military, namely bipolar and schizophrenia. If you conceal these when you enlist, and it later comes to light, you could face pretty serious punishment, including time in a military jail - not a good time!
Please take all these into consideration. I think military service can be very rewarding. But it can be a nightmare if you are not in the right mental condition.
Best of luck!
M
Posted by Optimist on February 1, 2005, at 9:53:26
In reply to U.S. Military service and psychiatric conditions, posted by mattdds on February 1, 2005, at 3:18:34
It's funny... People with bipolar are not allowed to enlist, whereas some of the most well known generals in history have been bipolar. Figure that one out. Correct me if I'm wrong, Sir Winston Churchill, Napoleon, The Duke of Edinborough, Abraham Lincoln, Stalin, and Hitler, all were bipolar. I know there's many others that aren't as well known that were as well.
Brian
Posted by Maxime on February 1, 2005, at 19:49:05
In reply to U.S. Military service and psychiatric conditions, posted by mattdds on February 1, 2005, at 3:18:34
Um, given that you are in the middle of a crisis, I don't think it is something you should be considering right now. Also, given that you are showing signs of psychosis (drug induced or otherwise), again I don't think it's a good idea.
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on February 1, 2005, at 19:59:34
In reply to Re: U.S. Military service and psychiatric conditio, posted by Maxime on February 1, 2005, at 19:49:05
I agree with other Posters. Get yourself well first and discuss this with even your pdoc. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by pretty_paints on February 3, 2005, at 2:59:31
In reply to Re: U.S. Military service and psychiatric conditio, posted by Phillipa on February 1, 2005, at 19:59:34
Hi Matt,
I was just interested, what are you taking Adderall for? Do you have a diagnosis? Sorry if you've already been over this a thousand times. I've just asked Dr Bob if he'll set something up like a page where you can read all of one's posts, that way people needn't ask the same questions again and again! But until then!!
I'd be interested to know about your symptoms, I've read a few posts of yours.
Thanks
Kate xx
ps: I personally don't think the army is a great idea until you are really well. I'm ill at the moment and had to take time out of Uni. I go to Cambridge, so it is very stressy and there's a lot of pressure. That's why I won't even THINK about going back until I am 110% well. I know that even when I'm "well", I still won't be able to cope unless I'm COMPLETELY well, and this could take ages. And I'm only talking about a University! You're talking about going to war!
But I am not at all judging, just giving my opinion, for what it's worth (HMM).
Take care and keep us posted on your thoughts!
Posted by Fathe on February 3, 2005, at 20:24:45
In reply to Are medications permitted in United States Army, posted by mmcconathy on January 31, 2005, at 19:46:45
At first, I was going to be the lone optimist to respond and say "This guy Matt a person who is brave selfless to volunteer himself for our country...good for him " but then I read your posts from 1/31 and realized that you probably should NOT be enlisting. Please take care of yourself first. You are much more important right now and once you are feeling 100%, you can always enlist then. My prayers are with you.
Posted by Smeegle on February 7, 2005, at 0:17:07
In reply to Re: Are medications permitted in United States Army » mmcconathy, posted by Fathe on February 3, 2005, at 20:24:45
As the mother of a former USMC who spent 8 months in Iraq at the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. He came home physically safe and sound, with 8 medals, including a Presidential Unit Citation for his unit's participation in Lynch's rescue (they were the one's creating the diversion on the other side of town). He was 19 at the time and "good to go" as they say in the Corps. The first month he was back, he seemed agitated, restless. Had difficulties adapting. Sure, they ask in debriefing if you are okay (PTSD), but if you say yes, they let it go at that. No follow up, no manditory counseling or readjustment assistance. Admitting that you are having difficulties adapting, having nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, etc is considered a weakness and therefore many are subtly advised to "suck it up" and that it will pass. All his scores prior to his deployment were approx 4.5 (on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being best). He had just been awarded a good conduct medal. His CO told me that he was "an outstanding Marine" (I wish I had recorded that conversation, cuz I know that now he would never admit to ever making that statement). Anyhow, getting to my point. This kid fell apart within a month of his return. For the first time in his life, he turned to drinking and drugs. He popped on a couple of drug tests, did a little brig time, etc. Faced up to the consequences, though anyone who knows him, knows full well that he was acting out of character...way out of character. He eventually went UA and is now declared a desserter (before the bashers start...he has turned himself in and is going to face the consequences, including dishonorable discharge which will follow him for life). While he was UA, he went totally beserk (sp). Being Bipolar myself, I could immediately tell he was manic. Then he would crash into depression. Just before things came to a head, his gf and best friend both contacted me that they were concerned about his bizarre behavior. He went thru $1500 (of my money) in less than 4 days and has no clue where it went. Nor do his friends. I begged him to check into a hospital and he had made an appt but he was so out of touch with reality that I had him picked up. So now he is sitting in jail waiting for the USMC to get around to picking him up (he did return to base shortly after going UA and was even staying in his barracks for five days and no one...not one single person, officer, MP, etc. said one word to him). With plenty of time on his hands now, I mailed him a Bipolar survivor guide and wow did he have an AHA! moment.
My point here (and I do have one) is that if you have a propensity towards a mood disorder, DO NOT ENLIST. You have no idea what you will encounter or be exposed to if you are deployed. Bipolar can be triggered by PTSD in those who are predisposed to mood disorders. My son had no idea that what he was feeling was PTSD and let it eat away at him. Trust me, admitting any type of weakness in the military is highly (though sublty) discouraged. I am fully convinced that his Bipolar was triggered by PTSD and the events that he witnessed in Iraq. He saw, did and experienced things that a 19 year old was in no way prepared to deal with emotionally. Sure he has many regrets and would give anything to erase the past year. He loved (loves) the USMC to the core of his existence but because he did not get the help he so clearly needed he will forever carry the scarlett letter "D" for Deserter and know that he failed his fellow Marines. He will carry that shame with him for the rest of his life. Many people may feel no sympathy for him. I certainly don't condone the way he handled things. Hell, I'm the one that turned him in...for his own good. I just hope that NOW he can get the help he needs.
You are playing with fire if you knowingly enlist with a preexisting mood disorder. You have no way of knowing what might be a trigger. There are far too many stressors to list. Is your sanity worth it? My son thinks not. He didn't see this coming. He was a just a normal kid who went to war and came back totally screwed up and now is on his own, he has accepted that he is now Bipolar and just wants help putting his life back together.
Sorry so long, but you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY need to think about what you are doing and no offense to recruiters, but they have numbers they have to meet (certain number of enlistments per month) and are always more than willing to "over look" or allow you to fail to disclose something that would otherwise disqualify you. It happens everyday (granted not all are like that). DO NOT BECOME ANOTHER STATISTIC. Haven't you read all the articles in Time, NY Times, People, and any local paper about the problems our troops are having and how they are failing to get the help they need (but are afraid to ask for).
Tread carefully my friend.
Sign me a mom who saw her son's hopes and dreams disappear and is on his own to pick up the pieces.
This is the end of the thread.
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