For those of you considering the military

[wheelswithinwheels]

Don't ever tell your recruiter that you've taken medication for depression / anxiety / etc. or that you've been to see a therapist.

I learned that the hard way; I've been permanently disqualified from military service for a form of "mental illness."

On the plus side, when the draft comes, I'll be able to plead insanity.

[SilentSpecter]

Even though I decided not to join, on the forms I lied on those questions, what is that a felony? The anxiety, depression, suicide questions I just put no. I'm usually an honest person but It would suck if I was denied something because of my personal issues so fuck that I thought.

[wheelswithinwheels]

Guest-SilentSpecter said:

Even though I decided not to join, on the forms I lied on those questions, what is that a felony? The anxiety, depression, suicide questions I just put no. I'm usually an honest person but It would suck if I was denied something because of my personal issues so fuck that I thought.

I considered that, but I never honestly thought that they'd hold it against me that I've tried to improve myself through therapy and such.

And I did lie on my enlistment forms, about things like broken bones and a disorder with my foot that certainly would've disqualified me.

Lesson learned: Lying is good.

[Medici]

That's one problem. If you ever go to a therapist you could disqualify yourself from a lot of government jobs. I bet the same things apply to the CIA, FBI, and other agencies besides. But they would probably give you psych tests and a lie detector.

Well not everybody is cut out for everything I guess. You do what you can.

[wagnerr]

This sounds like a form of discrimination to me.

[Medici]

wagnerr said:

This sounds like a form of discrimination to me.

Precisly because it is a form of discrimination. Under our wonderful system of law, only certain special people are protected from forms of discrimination.

[strawberrysweetie]

I think it's good they ask those questions, though. Just think about it. If you've ever been seriously depressed or suicidal, then how in the world are you going to handle a situation like going to war? Many people who are never seriously depressed or suicidal end up that way after returning from a war. With the CIA and FBI, they would probably want to be sure you can handle keeping secrets and all the things you are supposed to deal with. You need to be mentally strong enough to deal with any jobs like these that put you into tough situations.

[Medici]

Yes that is true Strawberry, and that's why they ask those questions I'm sure. Discrimination is generally a good thing.

[wheelswithinwheels]

StrawberrySweetie said:

I think it's good they ask those questions, though.

I do, too. My problem is that some doctor I’ve never even met thought I had serious mental problems because I took Paxil for three months.

Just think about it. If you've ever been seriously depressed or suicidal, then how in the world are you going to handle a situation like going to war?

I’ve never been suicidal, or even seriously depressed. The depression I have had stems from social anxiety, something many of you can probably relate to. I’ve always wanted to join the military, and everyone around me thinks it’d be good for me, even my therapist. And I’ve always had an ability to remain calm and collected during stressful situations- of course, I’ve never been through war, but to the degree that you can be prepared to handle something like that, I’m not too bad off.

You need to be mentally strong enough to deal with any jobs like these that put you into tough situations.

…so I should limit myself to careers that contain no tough situations or stress? I think Vanna White’s got that market cornered.

Medici said:

Discrimination is generally a good thing.

Um...I know what you mean...I hope I know what you mean. Ever see Philadelphia?

[strawberrysweetie]

Wheels said:

And I’ve always had an ability to remain calm and collected during stressful situations- of course, I’ve never been through war, but to the degree that you can be prepared to handle something like that, I’m not too bad off.

War isn't your typical stressful situation that comes your way in everyday life. I bet everybody who joins the military believes that they'll be prepared for such a thing, but unfortunately, most find that afterwards it was definitely quite different than what they expected. Okay, so you're probably thinking "Who in the world is she to tell me how I'll feel about it when she knows nothing about it firsthand", and that's true, but really you can't be sure either.

Wheels said:

…so I should limit myself to careers that contain no tough situations or stress? I think Vanna White’s got that market cornered.

Nope, I didn't say that. And it's probably near impossible to find a job that you'll never be stressed out in. It's just that war and jobs in like the FBI/CIA are totally out there. Like I said, it's not the typical stressful situations you encounter in every day life. Everyone has a different stress level that they can handle.

SweetPea said:

hey, maybe they take things like depression and anxiety as a sign that you think too much and they're looking for people who don't think much. didya ever think of that?

Seriously, that does make sense. They want people who will be postively confident and sure of themselves to the point that they can act fast and not have to think twice, or twenty times, about what they should do.

Of course, it is sad if you really, really wanted to go into the military. But look on the bright side and hope that it happened for the best. As some believe, everything happens for a reason.

[Medici]

Wheels said:

Um...I know what you mean...I hope I know what you mean. Ever see Philadelphia?

I don't remember it but I think I saw it. What do you mean though?