A Bill To Allow Recruits With Previous Mental Health Treatment Is On The Way
In the vast majority of cases, young Americans hoping to join the military are barred from signing up if theyve previously been treated for anxiety, depression or other mental health struggles. But there is some interest in changing that.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, is working on a bill that would remove some of those barriers, he said Wednesday during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Were telling young Americans, right now, if your dream is to be an Air Force pilot and you have depression as a 16-year-old girl, you either need to not go get help, or if you did go get help and youre prescribed drugs and then you apply to be an Air Force pilot, youve got to lie, he said.
This has particularly been an issue with children whose parents have served, a very common demographic for new recruits, as their medical records are easily pulled from the Defense Departments own systems.
Back in 2017, famously, an Army lieutenant colonels daughter tried to enlist in the Air Force, but because she had met with a counselor as a child, struggling with her dads deployments, the Air Force refused to let her join.
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Her family fought back, and in 2019 she was finally granted a waiver.
I think that is so wrong, Sullivan said. Thats happening right now.
While a mental health diagnosis generally disqualifies a recruit from the military, therapy and medication are available to service members diagnosed while in uniform.
Medical Conditions That Can Keep You From Joining The Military
Below, you will find details from the Army‘s “Standards of Medical Fitness.” These standards generally apply to all other branches as well. Remember that most of these conditions are not necessarily permanently disqualifying, but they are red flags.
If you have had a medical complication at any time in your life that is mentioned here, then you need to tell your recruiter. They will tell you whether your condition can be waived, or if it is permanently disqualifying.
Remember that if you do not get an official waiver and your condition later is discovered, you most likely will be dishonorably discharged for fraudulent enlistment. The choice is yours.
Navy Disqualifying Medical Conditions
Here are some of the medical conditions that require a waiver to continue and serve in the U.S. Navy.
Some of these conditions make it harder to receive a medical waiver.
Notwithstanding its still possible to receive clearance:
NOTE: The U.S. Navy recently adapted its medical waiver process. You can learn more details about the revised policy, including the opportunity to request a second medical waiver review, here!
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Can You Get An Early Discharge From The Military For Depression
Some forms of depression bar you entirely from joining the military, but sometimes depression occurs later in life and has service members wondering about a medical discharge for depression.
Since some types of depression happen later in life, evaluating whether you are still a good fit for the needs of the military is vital.
Also, there are several different types of depression, and all have various ramifications and severity of impacting a persons life.
If you have a history of a depressive disorder that needed outpatient care or counseling for more than 12 months overall, you cannot join the military.
Also, the Department of Defense clarifies by not allowing potential recruits to join if they have symptoms or any treatment within three years of enlisting.
Furthermore, a potential recruit with an inpatient hospital stay for depressive disorder will receive a disqualification for service.
Beginning The Medical Exam Process
The process starts when you complete the medical pre-screening form at the recruiterâs office. The recruiter sends this up to MEPS, asking for a medical examination appointment. Now, MEPS does not belong to any particular branch of service. Itâs whatâs known as a joint command and operates independently from all service branches.
A doctor at MEPS reviews the form. If there are any potentially disqualifying medical conditions listed, MEPS may contact the recruiter to ensure you bring a copy of your civilian medical records relevant to the condition with you to the examination.
Sometimes the doctor doing the review will determine you have a medical condition that is disqualifying with little or no chance of a waiver. In such cases, MEPS may disqualify you on the spot and refuse to do the medical examination. If this happens, your journey into military service has ended. There is no appeal to this decision. It is technically possible for the recruiting commander of the service youâre trying to join to go over MEPS to request a medical waiver from their medical command, but this is rare.
Once your medical examination is complete, you are determined to be either âmedical qualified for military service,â or âmedically disqualified for military service,â according to the medical standards set by DoD.
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Other Designated Physical And Mental Conditions Discharge
The military may discharge for other designated physical and mental conditions servicemembers who have conditions that do not qualify for a disability discharge, but that potentially interfere with assignment to or performance of duty. Personality disorders are the most common grounds for discharge under other designated physical and mental conditions . In addition to personality disorders, grounds for discharge can include: seasickness, bedwetting, airsickness, sleep walking, certain allergies, severe nightmares, severe stuttering, obesity, and excessive height.
Consider seeking an ODPMC discharge if you experience emotional distress, difficulty in coping with military life, or an inability to behave and think as you would like to behave and think. While personality disorders are fairly complex, and real diagnoses can only come from a psychiatrist or psychologist, lay people can identify common symptoms and help to determine whether psychiatric evaluation is warranted. Common symptoms of some personality disorders include feeling depressed, helpless, or out of control, difficulty sleeping or inability to cope with work or people, or occasional thoughts of suicide.
A personality disorder is grounds for discharge only when a diagnosis by a psychiatrist or psychologistconcludes that the disorder is so severe that the members ability to function effectively in the military environment is significantly impaired. )
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Additionally, it is necessary to note that some common treatments for discomfort , can really make depression worse. This aggravating history of depression and joining the military depression can then affect the physical discussion of the discomfort. Several medical professionals are not necessarily trained to evaluate for depression throughout the course of treating pain.
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What Is Depression Exactly
Depression is a widespread mental condition that affects around 8% of the population. It has an impact on all elements of your life, from how you see to how you communicate and work.
Depression not only impairs peoples capacity to appreciate pleasure, but it also leads them to experience intense, unremitting grief. People lose faith in activities they used to like, retreat from everyday relationships, lose or put on weight for no identifiable reason, and suffer from a range of health issues.
Exhaustion and sluggishness are symptoms of depression. It also hinders ones capacity to participate in anything, especially once-enjoyable pursuits . Even if they are sleeping much more than normal, sorrow can produce a drop in activity levels in humans.
Symptoms last at least two weeks before a depression diagnosis may be made. The following are the most prevalent adverse effects in each category:
Sample Medical Conditions That Might Stop Or Delay Me Joining
Gastrointestinal problems:
- Chronic abdominal diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
- Significant history of dyspepsia.
- History of kidney problems such as malfunction of a kidney or kidney stones.
- Recurrent renal colic.
- Structural abnormalities of the spine and spinal cord.
- History of chronic or recurrent back pain.
Blood diseases:
- Disorders resulting in abnormal coagulation.
Bone or joint problems:
- Knee injuries and chronic knee pain.
- History of bone fractures.
- Shoulder problems resulting in functional limitations or restrictions of movement.
- Loss of a limb.
- Chronic joint diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
- Hypermobility syndrome.
- Symptomatic or medication-suppressed abnormal heart rhythms.
- Cardiomyopathy.
- Chronic lung disease such as emphysema, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis.
- Current perforation of ear drum.
- Chronic ear diseases like cholesteatoma.
- Presence of eardrum ‘grommets’.
- Chronic eye conditions such as glaucoma, keratoconus and retinitis pigmentosa.
- Damage to the eyelids affecting vision.
- Chronic conjunctivitis.
- Reduction of corrected vision in one eye below army entry standards.
- History of head injury with neurological sequalae.
- History of deliberate self-harm or suicide attempts.
Skin problems:
- An active skin disease like severe eczema or widespread psoriasis.
Other conditions:
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Can The Military Discharge You If You Suffer From Depression
The military may discharge a soldier who has a mental condition such as depression. Any physical or mental illness that can interfere with a soldiers duty and performance can be used as grounds for discharge.
If the soldier shows signs of major depression while in a warzone, such as insomnia, feeling helpless and depressed, inability to focus on work and thoughts of suicide, the military may offer medication and therapy. However, if the soldier refuses psychiatric medication, then they may be administratively separated or discharged without medical retirement or benefits. The military may also discharge a soldier within the first few months of service if he displays symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders.
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Understanding The Va Rating For Depression
Some symptoms of major depressive disorder include lack of interest in activities, feeling depressed most of the day, feeling fatigued, and more
Before diving into VA depression ratings, its important to understand how this mental health condition is characterized. The VA lists depression under the category of Mood Disorders. The VA used to rate depression using GAF Scores but have since switched to WHODAS 2.0. You can read more about the change here from GAF Psychology to WHODAS 2.0. There are two types of depression that the VA recognizes under this category: major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder.
A diagnosis of major depressive disorder requires at least two major episodes of depression lasting at least two weeks. The symptoms of major depression need to significantly impair daily functioning. Some of these symptoms of depression include:
- A lack of interest in most activities
- Feeling depressed most of the day
- Inability to sleep or excessive sleeping
- Feeling very fatigued and /or low energy
- recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
The VA also recognizes dysthymic disorder as a type of depression, which is characterized by a mildly depressed or irritable mood. It requires feeling depressed for two years or more with symptoms that greatly prevent everyday functioning. An individual with dysthymic disorder may also have low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, difficulty in decision making, and concentration challenges.
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Spine And Sacroiliac Joints
The following conditions may disqualify you for military service:
a. Arthritis.
b. Complaint of a disease or injury of the spine or sacroiliac joints with or without objective signs that has prevented the individual from successfully following a physically active vocation in civilian life or that is associated with pain referred to the lower extremities, muscular spasm, postural deformities or limitation of motion.
c. Deviation or curvature of spine from normal alignment, structure or function if —
It prevents the individual from following a physically active vocation in civilian life.
It interferes with wearing a uniform or military equipment.
It is symptomatic and associated with positive physical finding and demonstrable by X-ray.
There is lumbar scoliosis greater than 20 degrees, thoracic scoliosis greater than 30 degrees, and kyphosis or lordosis greater than 55 degrees when measured by the Cobb method.
d. Fusion, congenital, involving more than two vertebrae. Any surgical fusion is disqualifying.
e. Healed fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae. A compression fracture, involving less than 25% of a single vertebra is not disqualifying if the injury occurred more than one year before examination and the applicant is asymptomatic. A history of fractures of the transverse or spinous processes is not disqualifying if the applicant is asymptomatic.
f. Juvenile epiphysitis with any degree of residual change indicated by X-ray or kyphosis.
Clinical Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety
The DSM-5 outlines the following criterion to make a diagnosis of depression. The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.
When assessing for GAD, clinical professionals are looking for the following:
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Can Drug And Alcohol Abuse Disqualify You From Joining The Army
Another serious issue of debate for individuals seeking to enlist in the U.S. army isalcohol and drug dependence. However, I wish to state that individuals with a history or having issues relating to drug dependence and alcohol dependence are unfit for the military.
Such a lifestyle automatically disqualifies an individual from joining the army. Another condition that can make you unqualified to join the army is drug abuse. So, be mindful of these lifestyles and health conditions that can spoil your chances of joining the military.
Is There Anyone In The Army Who Has A History Of Depression
This question is answered in the negative! Thats what a lot of people would say. Besides, why should they? The has been well and regarded as being one of the best in the world. Their level of quality is unrivaled! They serve as a model for others to emulate.
However, data reveal that the majority of enlistees have twisted the rules to their advantage. What I meant is there are persons in the United States Army who have a history of depression.
The majority of them were born with the ailment, while some got it while serving. Now comes the major question: is it acceptable to break the laws that say those with certain mental health conditions arent qualified?
No, it does not! Rules are intended to be followed. Those who break the rules must recognize that they will face consequences.
Having mental health issues, such as depression, and joining the army may both harm your reputation. It can also make it harder to advance to the next level, something which everybody in the military desires.
People with mental health issues or illnesses are not permitted to join the army. However, study data shows that many people have gotten around these regulations in the past.
According to a 2014 research published in JAMA Psychiatry, 25% of non-deployed military troops experience some type of mental health condition. ADHD , panic disorder, and even depression were among the disorders in the discussion.
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Neurotic Anxiety Mood Somatoform Dissociative Or Factitious Disorders
The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment and induction are a history of such disorders resulting in any or all of the below:
a. Admission to a hospital or residential facility.
b. Care by a physician or other mental health professional for more than six months.
c. Symptoms or behavior of a repeated nature that impaired social, school or work efficiency.
Current Scenario Regarding Mental Health In The Military Community
According to a study, one-fourth of the non-deployed forces in the U.S. had mental health conditions, ranging from ADHD and panic disorder to depression. Two-thirds of these forces had their psychological difficulties even before enlisting.
These figures indicate the current scenario of people circumventing the rules in place, which prohibit people with mental health issues from enlisting. The same study found that more than 10% of the enlistees had comorbidities . One of the most common disorders found was intermittent explosive disorder, which is related to inappropriate anger outbursts.
It is still unclear how people are skirting these regulations, although what is known is that they have an attitude of if they do not ask, I do not have to tell.
What people fail to understand is that, by not following these rules, they are putting themselves in harms way. For example, the same study reported unsatisfactory performances by enlistees who had mental health challenges.
Further, the condition would probably worsen considering the workload, routine, potential triggers, and tremendous responsibility not just for oneself but also for other members. These problems are exacerbated as it is unlikely that they will get to seek appropriate treatment because of the rules in place.
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Mental Health Conditions That Are Disqualifying In The Military
Nearly 20% of the U.S. population deals with some type of mental illness.
Despite the stigma, mental illness is not uncommon or a personal problem.
These diseases and conditions are very serious and require treatment like any other medical condition.
Serving in the military with mental illness has always been a delicate issue, considering soldiers carry weapons and could put other lives in jeopardy.
The military treats mental health very seriously, considering going into combat or other stressful situations could trigger unwanted symptoms.
However, the Armed Forces have recently adapted and changed some of its previous guidelines regarding mental health disqualifications for military service.
Heres a list of 9 of the most common mental health conditions, and whether or not the condition will disqualify you from military service: