Hello I have been in the military for many years now, I believe in what I do and service to the nation. With that being said I guess I am afraid that the military would not believe in me anymore if they found out the problem that I have. My depression has grown greater and greater while I have been in the miltary. I exhibit the majority of the signs of having a bi-polar disorder. Its always mania or depression and the feelings are very extreme. I do not let it affect my Soldiers or my decisions, but it tears me apart inside and is somethign that I have to deal with daily. I am to the point where I just don't want to hide it anymore and want some help, however I am afraid that once I expose myself that it will follow me in a negative way through the military even though I have dealt with it and worked with some of the toughest units in the miiltary and. Does anyone have any idea how I could seek help and not be penalized or labeled for it? Is there doctor patient confidentiality?
2006-06-11 10:10:53 · 9 answers · asked by Vertigo Reign 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
For heaven's sake, have it diagnosed and documented by a military doctor AT SOME POINT before your discharge or retirement. The lifetime disability benefits for an anxiety or mood disorder are well worth the disclosure and the time and trouble. You will not likely have to pay for your medication or care ever after, and will most probably get a disability retirement. The advantages are great.
2006-06-13 13:06:18 · answer #1 · answered by Oghma Gem 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello. I have just had a chat with my husband , a Senior Officer in the British Army about this and he says that he feels that you will be treated with concern & compassion and that you can talk to an M.O confidentially. It is a very tough job and stress and fatigue can lead to depression, it is not uncommon in the Military. There is no need for anyone to know but it is nothing to be ashamed of and my Chap says that as a Commandant, he regularly sees people who are emotionally unwell, they are treated just as though they have an other medical condition and if they need medication or a period of compassionate leave it does not affect their career. The worst thing to do would be to struggle on, let it start to affect your work and then have to deal with the consequences of that. The Military isn't the place it once was. Duty of care is taken very seriously as you know and I am quite sure that if someone under your command had this problem you would want to help him and not think badly of him. I dunno! Soldiers! You all think you should be Automatons but you are human and this is a common human problem. We wish you great good luck in getting well again and carrying on with a Career, which your eloquence and common sense suggest will be a long and successful one.
2006-06-11 10:43:18 · answer #2 · answered by Kitty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know what you are going through...My son was a ARMY Medic in the Vietnam war. He was honorable discharged after 3 years in the Military Service but since then he is not the same...He can't sleep at night, I think that he DOES NOT want to sleep because he ears voices...screams of pain...He also has bi-polar disorder. and is considered disable...It breaks my heart to see his changes of moods....some times he is calm, other times he is rude with me , for no reason at all. He also have a spasmodic contraction on his eyes ( Its called MANGE) When he came home in 1974 he seemed normal...because like you he didn't want expose himself..
2006-06-11 11:49:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to see a head shrinker if only to get some meds. If you seek confidentiality, try a civilian doctor. When I was in the military, I had asthma, but it's not in my medical records, because I never told anybody. You could try to use herbal medicine. Fish oil, 5-HTP, vitamin B12, daily multi-vitamin, quiet time, music, exercise and sunlight all help to some degree. If combined, you may find substantial relief.
2006-06-11 10:34:41 · answer #4 · answered by MorgantonNC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am going to be honest with you. It is only bad if you do not have access to a therapist and possibly medications. If something bad were to happen and you could not be medicated it could get ugly if you are not taught how to deal with the episodes when you know they are starting to present themselves to you. Get educated and get help with how to deal with what you can on your own through behavioral modification techniques. It may just help you in the end, and you are not crazy, you have a mood disorder, very different.
2016-03-15 02:51:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you seen any civilian doctors?
As far as I know you can go see any civilian doctors without the military finding out what they have found.
You need to see a doctor about it. You may be able to keep it from affecting your job at the moment but it is affecting your life--therefore should be taken care of. If it continues it may start interfering with your job.
2006-06-11 10:30:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know several people with bipolar disorder and there really is no hiding it.The best thing you can do for you regardless of the consequences is to seek help and stop diagnosing yourself.
2006-06-11 10:13:36 · answer #7 · answered by rachellynn200 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the medical discharge and the two grand a month.
2006-06-11 10:54:24 · answer #8 · answered by Tommy G. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will tell your Supervisors. Best thing to do is get out of the Military and get a real job.
2006-06-11 12:07:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go 2 www.healthieryou.com/j22.html .
2006-06-16 05:42:07 · answer #10 · answered by Halle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋