SSRI use and military

[IAMSUPER]

I'm a 2nd year med student. I have been on an antidepressant for 2 years. I've never been suicidal. It does help me out though. Would being on an SSRI rule me out from joining military?

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[Teufelhunden]

No. I know of military physicians on much more impressive psychotropic meds (e.g. mood stabilizers). It will require a waiver, but I think as long as your prescribing physicians states that you're doing well and stable on current dose, etc, then you should be alright.

 

[Gastrapathy]

Thats not an accurate answer. I'm pretty sure that current SSRI use for depression would preclude passing a commissioning physical. There are lots of conditions that we treat once people are already in that are disqualifying prior to entry.

 

[NavyFP]

I'm a 2nd year med student. I have been on an antidepressant for 2 years. I've never been suicidal. It does help me out though. Would being on an SSRI rule me out from joining military?

Thats not an accurate answer. I'm pretty sure that current SSRI use for depression would preclude passing a commissioning physical. There are lots of conditions that we treat once people are already in that are disqualifying prior to entry.

The likelihood of a waiver to get into the military on a psychotropic is near zero. Once you are in, you won't get kicked out.

The regs state you must not be on any psychotropics for one year and doing well prior to entry.

 

[Teufelhunden]

The likelihood of a waiver to get into the military on a psychotropic is near zero. Once you are in, you won't get kicked out.

Thats not an accurate answer. I'm pretty sure that current SSRI use for depression would preclude passing a commissioning physical. There are lots of conditions that we treat once people are already in that are disqualifying prior to entry.

Good to know. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[CratedDoc]

Hi,

I have another question along the same lines. I am currently on civilian deferment for residency and am nearly done with my first year. I just started treatment for depression with an SSRI last month. Do you know if this will affect my status when I go active with the Navy after finishing residency training? I potentially could try going off the SSRI a year before I am scheduled to finish residency, but don't want to risk it if that's not necessary.
This is just a little wierd because I'm in limbo- not exactly reserves or active duty, but still a commissioned officer. What's the best way to handle this so there are the fewest complications later on?

 

[colbgw02]

If you're commissioned, then your foot is already in the proverbial door. I would not expect this to affect your transition to active duty. If you're still worried, then you can just keep quiet unless specifically asked. Does anyone have better information?

 

[Porthos1000]

Seems like we're in more need of military docs now. Think they're letting up on the restrictions:

Me, I'm on SSRI's x 7 yrs now, absolutely stable, never hospitalized. Graduating from residency -- does Army still want me off of meds x 1 year before a waiver can be considered?

 

[notdeadyet]

The regs state you must not be on any psychotropics for one year and doing well prior to entry.

This may vary by service. For the Army, any history of mood disorders (including depression) requiring outpatient care for more than 6 months is disqualifying and will require a waiver. Being in the clear by being off meds for 1 year may be a Navy thing.

 

[usma05]

You answer lies in AR 40-501 which pretty clearly lays out the standards of medical fitness. Chapter 2 deals enlistment, appointment, and induction medical standards; chapter 3 with retention and separation standards; and chapter 4 deals with flying duty medical standards. Google army publishing directorate and you can read it for yourself. For the most part, getting in with psych stuff is almost impossible to do while you would have to meet MEB standards for retention which you can read (chapter 3-31 and 3-32). Working in an unit, you have to know this regs crap as your BC/SCO will try to use and abuse your abilities if you don't now them. I know cause I've had to constantly cite them for why this guy isn't elgible for MEB or why we can't invent our own standards for soldiers medical fitness. I can't speak for navy or air force.

 

[Porthos1000]

You answer lies in AR 40-501 which pretty clearly lays out the standards of medical fitness. Chapter 2 deals enlistment, appointment, and induction medical standards; chapter 3 with retention and separation standards; and chapter 4 deals with flying duty medical standards. Google army publishing directorate and you can read it for yourself. For the most part, getting in with psych stuff is almost impossible to do while you would have to meet MEB standards for retention which you can read (chapter 3-31 and 3-32). Working in an unit, you have to know this regs crap as your BC/SCO will try to use and abuse your abilities if you don't now them. I know cause I've had to constantly cite them for why this guy isn't elgible for MEB or why we can't invent our own standards for soldiers medical fitness. I can't speak for navy or air force.

Thanks. Found the AR 40-051 and read the MEB standards for mood disorders.

So it says in Chap 2-2 "Application and Responsibilities", (b) Application - "The designated waiver authorities may grant waivers for selection or continuation in the programs described below, provided the individual meets the retention standards of chapter 3..."

I know I meet the MEB standards in Ch 3 for retention (I have responded fully to treatment, my performance is not affected by my mood disorder), so do I then at least have a chance at a waiver?

Thx

 

[ThrowawayName]

I have a somewhat related question. My doc started me on Adderall after med school slowly became too much for my ADHD tendencies. How does this stand with the military? I'm already in and finished my initial officer's course.

Is this the sort of thing people get kicked out for? Should I bring a copy of my prescription to a future urine screen? Should take a "drug holiday" during my ADTs and just never bring it up?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[DogFaceMedic]

I have a somewhat related question. My doc started me on Adderall after med school slowly became too much for my ADHD tendencies. How does this stand with the military? I'm already in and finished my initial officer's course.

Is this the sort of thing people get kicked out for? Should I bring a copy of my prescription to a future urine screen? Should take a "drug holiday" during my ADTs and just never bring it up?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Ask the barracks lawyers how to beat a drug screen after hittin the meth too hard on New Years'.

 

[DogFaceMedic]

This thread has raised some important issues. For those who have done ascession and MEB physical evals: is active use of SSRI's disqualifying for commissions (w/o waivers)? In other words, would an enlisted soldier trying to go from green to gold, or OCS, be disqualified if a lazy PCP tossed SSRI's at him/her for vague psych symptoms? If so, then this should be important info to disclose to soldiers before started on psych meds.

Bad psych treatment is a pet peeve of mine, as some might have guessed. (So is bad surgery, but the results are more immediately obvious.)