Am I going to be DQ'd for past "depression"?

2

2024candidate

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I'm really nervous right now because I just got the info the schedule my medical exam and I realized something slipped my mind which could disqualify me. In 8th grade, I had a bad year and I was pretty depressed; not wanting to go to school or play sports or really do anything. So my parents sent me to a clinical psychologist who I have been seeing frequently since that period in 8th grade.

I don't know if I was diagnosed with anything, and I have been the happiest and most motivated I've ever been since entering high school. I don't really know why I continue seeing him, but it makes my parents feel better so I do.

Am I going to be DQ'd? What are the chances of getting a waiver for something like that?
 
Devil Doc said:
Were you put on medication?
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Thankfully, I was not. And I didn't need medication at all. I had a bad patch and I came back stronger than ever once I got through it. I don't know if I would be who I am today without having gone through it. I'm actually relatively annoyed that this could be a disqualifier..

"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor" right???
 
Korab said:
The fact that you've been seeing a psychologist for the last 4 years "slipped your mind"?
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Yeah I know. I feel pretty dumb right now. But, that is how not depressed I am. Seeing him just became a part of my life: I just did it even though I really am not depressed at all. I saw it as just someone to talk to about my week, not treatment for anything. (at least after the first 6 months of seeing him)
 
Plenty of people go to therapy for things other than depression and plenty have never been diagnosed with depression. For many, just talking things out is a major help. I know tons of people who go to therapy and they have never been diagnosed with anything. None of us can answer if you will be DQ’d. Bottom line answer the questions honestly. Ensure to read the entire question. Some may ask have you seen, others may ask if diagnosed and others may ask about meds. Your psychologist may need to writer a letter and provide diagnosis. You may have never been diagnosed with depression.
 
Read DOD Inst 6130.03, Section 5.28 (f), those things listed will either DQ you or require at the minimum a remedial. As mentioned numerous places here....it is NOT a good idea to omit or lie on medical stuff, often it comes back to bite you. Better to be proactive and try and get through the process the right way.
 
Impulsive said:
Read DOD Inst 6130.03, Section 5.28 (f), those things listed will either DQ you or require at the minimum a remedial. As mentioned numerous places here....it is NOT a good idea to omit or lie on medical stuff, often it comes back to bite you. Better to be proactive and try and get through the process the right way.
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Yes, thanks. I read that and I just felt it wasn't specific enough.

Update: I just got a response from my psychologist.. essentially, a diagnosis is required in order for insurance to cover the cost. My diagnosis was "adjustment disorder with depressed mood". He wrote it was "a life circumstance being adjusted to rather than a chronic disorder." And not that it really matters, but he also wrote: " it is absurd to reject someone on the basis of that diagnosis."
 
Personally my thought goes to what/if/where this was to be disclosed. Maybe it wasn’t something that was asked (but I would doubt that). Which question/s did you not disclose this in your DODMRB exam questionnaire? I think that’s the root of how this is addressed, not the specific medical issue. Did you not feel this issue was addressed in question form on the medical questionnaire? Because if it wasn’t asked, you don’t disclose.
 
2024candidate said:
Yes, thanks. I read that and I just felt it wasn't specific enough.

Update: I just got a response from my psychologist.. essentially, a diagnosis is required in order for insurance to cover the cost. My diagnosis was "adjustment disorder with depressed mood". He wrote it was "a life circumstance being adjusted to rather than a chronic disorder." And not that it really matters, but he also wrote: " it is absurd to reject someone on the basis of that diagnosis."
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Especially with you inquiring of your medical professional, if there is a question on your questionnaire, you need to disclose it now. There could be a scenario where it comes up, inquiries are made of your medical/insurance providers, and boom, there’s a paper trail of you actually inquiring. Can’t say you “forgot” anymore. IMO.
 
Section F is pretty clear....
f. Depressive disorder if: (1) Outpatient care including counseling required for longer than 12 cumulative months; (2) Symptoms or treatment within the last 36 months; (3) The applicant required any inpatient treatment in a hospital or residential facility; (4) Any recurrence; or (5) Any suicidality (in accordance with Paragraph 5.28.m.).

If as you stated earlier you meet (1), (2), and maybe (4) you need to make a choice. You now know you have a medical diagnosis, insurance records of treatment, and a history of you being treated now and since 8th grade, the ball is in your court.
 
Adjustment disorder is not the same thing as depressive disorder. However, the following section of 6130 covers it:

g. History of a single adjustment disorder if treated or symptomatic within the previous 6 months, or any history of chronic (lasting longer than 6 months) or recurrent episodes of adjustment disorders.

you said you had a "bad patch", so maybe that period was not longer than 6 most. The dq is for chronic or recurring episodes of Adjustment Disorder, not for ongoing treatment. If you a. only had the one episide in 8th grade, and b. was not in the past 6 months, and c. did not recur or last longer than 6 months, you may be fine.

I expect though that there was a question on the questionnaire that said something like "have you ever been treated for any mental health related issues" or something like that. Anytime you answer 'yes', it will trigger a request for remedial info.

The remedials will be basically all your medical records related to the conditions and treatment. So, if you say nothing, they will not ask you for anything but if it comes up later you may/will have a problem.

If you raise the issue now, and say you forgot about it and should have answered 'yes', then they will likely ask you for the records. It's possible that they will look at the records and say you are fine. DODMERB may also DQ you because you had treatment for such a long time and they may infer that the condition persisted.
 
The first thing to keep in mind is that you appear to be in a very good place right now. Whatever happens with USNA, that's the most important thing because, if you hadn't been well-adjusted these last four years, USNA might not even have been an option.

I don't know, but suspect, that you could be in for a bit of a Catch-22. In order to keep getting paid (for insurance to cover the cost), your psychologist has probably had to state in the medical records that your condition "persisted." IOW, if the situation had resolved (not persisted), why would you continue to need his services (and why should the insurance pay). On a related point, no one knows how you would have done without seeing the psychologist. Perhaps the exact same. Perhaps not as well.

Before you go to your exam, I suggest you go over the DODMERB questions with your psychologist and determine whether any should have been answered in the affirmative based on your medical records (that he created). I would note that whether he considers you qualified or not is irrelevant and his responses should be based on the facts and what he has documented, not what he thinks should happen. You might want to explain that you could face serious consequences down the road if you aren't fully accurate, so you want to ensure that you are. And that you need his assistance as a medical professional to ensure you do answer the questions accurately.
 
2024candidate said:
I'm really nervous right now because I just got the info the schedule my medical exam and I realized something slipped my mind which could disqualify me. In 8th grade, I had a bad year and I was pretty depressed; not wanting to go to school or play sports or really do anything. So my parents sent me to a clinical psychologist who I have been seeing frequently since that period in 8th grade.

I don't know if I was diagnosed with anything, and I have been the happiest and most motivated I've ever been since entering high school. I don't really know why I continue seeing him, but it makes my parents feel better so I do.

2024candidate said:
Yes, thanks. I read that and I just felt it wasn't specific enough.

Update: I just got a response from my psychologist.. essentially, a diagnosis is required in order for insurance to cover the cost. My diagnosis was "adjustment disorder with depressed mood". He wrote it was "a life circumstance being adjusted to rather than a chronic disorder." And not that it really matters, but he also wrote: " it is absurd to reject someone on the basis of that diagnosis."
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Am I going to be DQ'd? What are the chances of getting a waiver for something like that?
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@A6E Dad, I think you are right in the "Adjustment Disorder", but it also states "Depressed Mood" (clinical for depression at least at the VA). I am not a doc, so maybe someone who is can better help here, but it appears as if OP may have two diagnoses, but either way, has been getting "treatment" since 8th Grade, and may still be. If his symptoms were "transient" and not on going then I would think everything else being equal either a remedial or a waiver would be possible. Not knowing and not being a doc, that is not for me to speculate, but I would recommend OP not "forget" to mention this because of the possible future issues that may come up. This really is not about medical, but more about "doing the right thing" and "being honest" and then working through whatever issues, even if it means a year in college and re-applying without seeing the psychologist.
 
2024candidate said:
Update: I just got a response from my psychologist.. essentially, a diagnosis is required in order for insurance to cover the cost. My diagnosis was "adjustment disorder with depressed mood". He wrote it was "a life circumstance being adjusted to rather than a chronic disorder." And not that it really matters, but he also wrote: " it is absurd to reject someone on the basis of that diagnosis."
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Agree 100% with '85. The interpretation of your condition, and whether it should be reported or not, should be discussed with your provider... I am guessing that no one here is qualified to determine whether your diagnosis is covered by the NAVINST. I would caution however that the conclusion that rejection based on the diagnosis is absurd should be avoided until the Doctor sees the exact wording of the NAVINST.

This situation does illustrate another issue that anyone interested in attending a Service Academy should be aware of. Beware of the Doctor that tries to "do you a favor" by classifying something as medical condition in order to get insurance coverage for your treatment. Most medical conditions are pretty objective, but there are some that aren't ...and the Doctor's natural inclination is to help their patient by coding the diagnosis in a manner that qualifies for insurance coverage. I'm not suggesting that you try to influence a Doctor's diagnosis, or worse avoid medical treatment so you are not disqualified, but don't be a penny wise, pound foolish ,
 
2024candidate said:
Yeah I know. I feel pretty dumb right now. But, that is how not depressed I am. Seeing him just became a part of my life: I just did it even though I really am not depressed at all. I saw it as just someone to talk to about my week, not treatment for anything. (at least after the first 6 months of seeing him)
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Curious. This is prying a little. But, do you save all your bad days and your lingering issues for this therapist? Do you have anyone else to help you unload?
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Just wondering if this therapist is nothing more than a paid listener.
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Isn’t it a slippery slope for any candidate, who has been under a medical professionals regular care for 4 years, to have a provider assist with deciding whether a condition be reported or not? On a question asked on a form that’s straight forward? Isn’t that the job of DODMRB? Candidate answers the questions, in this case regarding diagnosed and continued care. And the. DODMRB requests AMI’s if desired, and makes determinations. Maybe I am missing something here. Isn’t this like any other medical issue, where the candidate reports it and the chips fall where they may.

OP can’t be the first person who remembers something and updates at his DODMRB physical. To me that seems like the best route: telling his examiner. And then go from there.

That’s what I would advise my child. Be honest and upfront. It sounds like there will be a lot of supporting opportunities to show and provide evidence the condition is no longer an issue. Though AMI’s. Same with any other medical issue. Like my own sons knee. He provided follow up stuff and was cleared.
 
I really appreciate all the responses and advice I have gotten from you guys. I am hoping for the best and riddled with anxiety. This would be a rough way for this process to come to an end.
 
i would just add one more thing. your situation seems like one that could go either way and it will be entirely dependent on the info that you send to DODMERB. so, i would advise that you become very familiar with the details in the NAVINST, and share that info with your doctor.

you need to be truthful about your condition and history, but the wording that the doctor uses can make all the difference. if your doctor understands where the Navy draws the line between qualified and not qualified, then you will probably have a better chance of sending in supporting documentation that supports your case.

sending in the right documentation the first time, to prevent a DQ is MUCH EASIER than sending in updated documentation later to support a waiver.

best of luck
 
Glad to hear you are doing better. Also, good on you for having the guts to be transparent with DODMERB. That alone sets you apart from probably half the Brigade. To answer your question, DODMERB publishes a nonexhaustive list of disqualifying medical conditions, and depressive disorders are somewhere on there. There is also some criteria given for whether it is waiverable. It depends on the severity and how long it’s been since you depended on “treatment”. If you choose to reveal this, I would at least be prepared for the possibility of being disqualified with a chance at a waiver.
 
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