Can you get discharged from the military for mental illness?

In the military's scheme of things, serious disorders such as major depression, anxiety or schizophrenia may be grounds for medical discharge or retirement, usually depending on their severity and amenability to treatment.
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Can you get kicked out of the military for mental health?

According to the Department of Defense, you're disqualified from serving in the U.S. military if you have a current diagnosis or a history of most mental disorders. The presence of any disorder with psychotic features, such as schizophrenia or a delusional disorder, does not allow one to serve.
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How do you get discharged from the military for mental health?

What conditions or behavioral issues are cause for discharge? If a soldier has less than 24 months' active-duty service, one cause for discharge for behavioral health reasons would be the diagnosis of a personality disorder that repeatedly interferes with a soldier's ability to perform his or her duty.
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What type of discharge do you get for mental health?

Former service members with an OTH administrative discharge may receive care for their mental health emergency for an initial period of up to 90 days, which can include inpatient, residential or outpatient care.
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What mental disorders can you get from the military?

There are three major mental health disorders that are commonly diagnosed in the US military on active duty and veterans that could lead them to commit suicide.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. ...
  • Depression. ...
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) ...
  • Other Mental Disorders.
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Army to Review Discharges Related to Mental Health Conditions



Can you be discharged from the military for anxiety?

In the military's scheme of things, serious disorders such as major depression, anxiety or schizophrenia may be grounds for medical discharge or retirement, usually depending on their severity and amenability to treatment.
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Will the military take someone with depression?

WASHINGTON – People with a history of “self-mutilation,” bipolar disorder, depression and drug and alcohol abuse can now seek waivers to join the Army under an unannounced policy enacted in August, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.
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Can you be on antidepressants in the military?

Antidepressants are disqualifying for one year after you stop taking them. You must stop with your doctor's advice; do not stop on your own. These medications often have to be reduced slowly to lower side effects and reduce risk of relapse.
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Can you get a waiver for depression in the military?

Army issues waivers to more than 1,000 recruits for bipolar, depression, self-mutilation. WASHINGTON — The Army issued waivers over 13 months to more than 1,000 recruits who had been diagnosed and treated for mood disorders and 95 more for self-mutilation, according to data obtained by USA TODAY.
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Can you get medically discharged for bipolar?

Due to the severe and chronic nature of the symptoms and the side effects and special laboratory monitoring of the medications, troops diagnosed with bipolar disorder generally are considered unfit for duty and are medically retired from service.
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What can get you medically discharged from the military?

Military members may receive a medical discharge if they become too sick or injured to perform their military duties. Medical discharges require a medical evaluation and a medical board review, which can be a lengthy process.
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What is a mental discharge from the Army?

Section 8 was a category of discharge from the United States military, used for a service member judged mentally unfit for service. Section 8 was also often given to cross-dressers, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
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Can you be discharged from the military for PTSD?

Seeking a Disability Discharge for PTSD

If your post-traumatic stress disorder is very severe, you may wish to seek to be discharged from the military on the basis of a PTSD disability. You cannot apply for such a discharge; instead it must be recommended by a military doctor.
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Can you join the military with schizophrenia?

Symptoms of schizophrenia most often render active duty soldiers incapable of meeting their duty requirements and leads to a medical discharge and lifetime payments from the United States military for their disability.
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How hard is it to get a medical waiver for the military?

Nobody can tell you what your chances of waiver approval are, as you consider joining the military. Depending on your issue, it could be an easy process, like LASIK or PRK Laser Eye Surgery, or a difficult and long process for serious knee or shoulder surgeries.
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Can you get a waiver for Bipolar in the military?

USA Today reported that those with a history of “self-mutilation,” bipolar disorder, depression and drug and alcohol abuse will be permitted to get waivers to enlist, according to documents obtained by the publication.
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What medications are not allowed in the military?

DEA Controlled Substances Banned by the Military

Spice. Amphetamines. Anabolic Steroids. Synthetic Cannabinoids.
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What does the Army prescribe for anxiety?

The most commonly prescribed are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). Similar to the effects of alcohol, these medications are great at quickly generating relaxation. However, there are considerable risks with them. They do not mix well with alcohol or other sedatives.
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What makes you non deployable?

Soldiers are considered non-deployable if they meet one of the following: Deployed. Soldiers that are currently mobilized according to Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS). Minimal Training Not Completed.
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Can you serve in the military with ADHD?

While ADHD alone does not disqualify a person from military service, the Department of Defense (DOD) places significant enlistment restrictions on individuals with an ADHD diagnosis and/or prior treatment with medication. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance.
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What type of discharge is PTSD?

Some of the discharges often given to those who actually suffered from PTSD were such things as “unsuitability,” “misconduct,” “unqualified for active duty,” “personality disorder,” 'character or behavior disorder,” or similar issues. There is a section on the DD-214 called separation codes.
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Can you request a discharge from the military?

You can apply for a discharge based on the “genuine dependency or undue hardship” being a member of the military is causing if all of the following conditions are met: The hardship is severe and not temporary. It has developed or gotten worse since your entry into the military.
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Is a chapter 5 an honorable discharge?

If you are discharged from the Army under Chapter 5-17, it means you had a physical or mental condition that prevented you from fulfilling your military duties. Soldiers discharged on the grounds of Chapter 5-17 usually receive an honorable discharge.
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What are the 5 types of discharges?

In general, there are five different types of discharges from the Army: Honorable; General, Under Honorable Conditions; Under Other than Honorable Conditions; Bad Conduct; and Dishonorable.
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Is medical discharge honorable?

A medical discharge is typically a general discharge under honorable conditions, but the severity and circumstances under which the medical condition began can impact the type of discharge you receive.
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