medical advice?

[hayley_90]

4 years ago, when i was only 14 (!) i went thorugh a pretty bad phase and did intentionally self harm. This was only once, but it is on my medical records. Recently i went through a worse period, including my two brothers being diagnosed mentally ill, my grandma breaking her hip, my cieling falling through, the break up of my long term relationshio and a termination of a pregnancy. In this time i was prescribed some antidepressants which i took for 2 weeks. However, i was written off these as the doctors recorded that i had a dramatic improvement in mood since i started the application process for the army and involved myself in regular exercise. However, this was only a month ago, will this seriously affect my chances of getting in? I have my first interview on the 20th of this month, but i have already passed my barb test with a score of 77, is this good?

[jm745]

I won't be much help mate, but I thought I'd get the ball rolling.

I self harmed once when I was about 13, so I kinda get where you're coming from.

And on the note of joining the Army I don't see why it would be an issue, as long as you explain your situation to them, as you seemed to be going through a really rough patch, I'm sure they'd understand.

However they may ask you to talk to your doctor to see if you've fully recovered, or they might tell you to put joining up on hold for a few months.

Best way to sort it is just ask them next time you're there.

Told you I wouldn't be much help but there you go.

Joe

[Alfa]

Evidence of self harm & depression can effect your application to join the forces, even more so in your case as the depression is very recent.

It may seem harsh but remember you will be handling loaded weapons through out your basic training and even the most upbeat person gets on a downer from time to time during basic and the Army can't risk someone topping themselves.

You should have a talk with the person dealing with your application at the AFCO about it, see what they say. However you need to prepare yourself for the worst and make sure that you don't slip back to your old ways if you do have you application rejected.

There are plenty of other meaningful jobs besides the forces so keep positive and look into other options while you're waiting for your application to be processed.

Best of luck to you.

[jm745]

There you are mate, don't think you could have got a better reply.

And as Alfa said, best of luck to you mate.

Keep us posted on how it goes.

[just_me]

The person at the AFCO won't really be able to talk about medical issues (they may anyway though), so if you're into your application you can give in a letter with details to be forwarded onto medical staff.

I have heard though that you have to be off anti-depressants for 4 years, although it's just something I've heard about and not comfirmed as a fact.
If you do get rejected, just keep your chin up and continue with life, it's not the end of the world.

Edited

[hayley_90]

i spoke to a member of the MFCO this morning, and he said although he hasn't seen it happen before if i present a clear case for myself and am willing to fight to try and prove that i wouldn't do it again then it isn't an impossibilty. I have been through a lot worse since then, including an abortion, and i haven't done it since and the medication i was prescribed takes 3 / 4 weeks to take effect and i only took it for ten days. The doctors supported my decision and have agreed to send a covering letter with my medical notes saying i am mentally stable.