Can you go into the military if you have depression?

Mood Disorders

A person with a depressive disorder must be stable, without treatment or symptoms for a continuous 36 months, to be eligible to enlist.

Can you be depressed and in the military?

Recent studies show that depression is seen much more often in military service members than in civilians. It's estimated that up to 14 percent of service members experience depression after deployment. However, this number may be even higher because some service members don't seek care for their condition.

Can someone with mental illness join the military?

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.

Can you be treated for depression in the military?

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - The U.S. Army understands the tremendous impact on readiness that untreated depression causes and Army medical professionals are available to support those suffering with depression and their loved-ones.

Can I join the military if I'm on antidepressants?

Response 1: 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.

Joining the Army with a Mental Illness

Will the army find out about my mental health history?

Obviously, certain security and safety positions like law enforcement and military agencies require a person to pass a mental health check. This almost always carries an in-depth look at any previous mental health issues you may have had.

Can you get kicked out of the army for depression?

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.

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.

Can I join the Army with anxiety?

Anxiety issues, either current or historical, or panic, agoraphobia, social phobia, simple phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, other acute reactions to stress, and post-traumatic stress are disqualifying for entry into the service.

What disqualifies you for the military?

To enlist, you must be qualified under current federal laws and regulations or have an appropriate waiver. There are age, citizenship, physical, education, height/weight, criminal record, medical, and drug history standards that can exclude you from joining the military.

What medical conditions disqualify you from the military?

Can you join the military if you take medication?

Recruiters generally tell applicants that they must be off medication for a considerable length of time — by far the most important measure to take — and show that they are able to function properly while off medication prior to starting the enlistment process and to be considered for a waiver.

Will the Army fix my teeth?

If your dental implants fix an issue that is no longer recurrent, you can get an approved waiver to join the military. However, if you have multiple dental implants or your implants impact your ability to chew or eat a normal diet, then this is disqualifying.

Can you join 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.

How does the Army treat anxiety?

Most installations will have a non-medical counseling service like the Military and Family Life Counseling Program or a Work-Life Office that likely will also offer confidential counseling services. You can also find online help at www.militaryonesource.mil or at (800) 342-9647.

How can I join the Army with depression?

A person with a depressive disorder must be stable, without treatment or symptoms for a continuous 36 months, to be eligible to enlist.

Can you join the military if you are suicidal?

Both suicidal gesture and self-mutilation are disqualifying for military service, by DoD regulation.

Can the military see your medical records?

Because the military does not routinely pull medical records, recruits who pass their physical and reveal no prior history may get in. However, if the soldier later gets sick or injured, the Army can check medical records if an undisclosed pre-existing condition is suspected.

How do I link military to anxiety?

Before you can receive benefits, you'll have to meet the VA's requirements for your claim. You must have a formal diagnosis of your condition and link the disability to your active duty service. You must also present any medical records and lay evidence that shows the severity of your anxiety.

What is Chapter 5 17 in the Army?

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.

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.

Can you get a waiver for mental health in the Army?

In 2018, the Army relaxed its guidelines for granting waives for prospective soldiers with a history of self-mutilation: as long as it was limited to a single episode that occurred before the age of 14, and not within the previous five years, a recruit is cleared for a behavioral health waiver.

Can you join military with bipolar?

Milley read off DoD policy that states the individuals diagnosed with mood disorders such as major depression and bipolar disorder as well as any condition involving self-mutilation are disqualified from entering military service.

Can you get away with lying at MEPS?

Strict background checks at the local, state, and federal level are performed on each individual recruit during the MEPS process. Therefore, if you're caught lying at MEPS, the consequences can result in your ineligibility to join the military, potential criminal charges, and repercussions in the civilian sector.

Can you get braces in army?

Having braces will medically disqualify you for active duty service. However, if you can finish up your orthodontic care before swearing-in, you can finish your treatment plan while in the process of enlisting.