Waivers for Mood

SVKDeWitt

New Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
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3
Stressing out in MI over DS with history of mood disorder. When he was 9, mom was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and the household was upside down and anxious. We got DS to therapy and he was medicated (low dose) for anxiety and depression. Lots of talk therapy. They also gave him a low dose of ADHD drug to help him focus for a bit. Last treated at age 12 or 13....strong, fine person and better for the experience.

Trying now to achieve his dreams of USAFA, but alarmed by DQ. If the academies are taking people with gender dysphoria, won't they help him be waived? Has anyone ever been waived for this?
 
I need to caveat my two cents worth of input by letting you know I don't work for the waiver authority for any of the commissioning sources, nor have I ever worked as someone who made recommendations to the waiver authorities.

I like to break down psychiatric disorders into categories:
1) anxiety disorders - generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, PTSD, OCD, etc...
2) mood disorders - depression, bipolar, etc..
3) eating disorders - anorexia nervosa, bulimia, etc...
4) dementias - Alzheimer's, dementia due to substances such as alcohol, drugs, etc...
5) schizophrenia/psychotic disorders - schizoaffective disorder, delusions, etc..

As you can see, based on what your post, your DS is in 2 of the categories - anxiety and mood disorders- not just mood disorder. He's been treated from roughly 9 through 13 year. Some meds were used and possibly cognitive behavioral therapy?

The use of the ADHD drug has to be addressed too.

No one can say for sure his history of mood and anxiety disorders will be waived. I don't think they'll flat out reject your DS unless his other attributes (grades, ACT/SAT, class rank, etc) are marginally low in which case they won't think a waiver worth the effort. Again, my 2 cents worth...
 
I need to caveat my two cents worth of input by letting you know I don't work for the waiver authority for any of the commissioning sources, nor have I ever worked as someone who made recommendations to the waiver authorities.

I like to break down psychiatric disorders into categories:
1) anxiety disorders - generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, PTSD, OCD, etc...
2) mood disorders - depression, bipolar, etc..
3) eating disorders - anorexia nervosa, bulimia, etc...
4) dementias - Alzheimer's, dementia due to substances such as alcohol, drugs, etc...
5) schizophrenia/psychotic disorders - schizoaffective disorder, delusions, etc..

As you can see, based on what your post, your DS is in 2 of the categories - anxiety and mood disorders- not just mood disorder. He's been treated from roughly 9 through 13 year. Some meds were used and possibly cognitive behavioral therapy?

The use of the ADHD drug has to be addressed too.

No one can say for sure his history of mood and anxiety disorders will be waived. I don't think they'll flat out reject your DS unless his other attributes (grades, ACT/SAT, class rank, etc) are marginally low in which case they won't think a waiver worth the effort. Again, my 2 cents worth...

Yeah, these are the flags. Hopefully his high scores, grades, etc will help him over the line. Thanks for the response! We are starting to really fret. USMMA gave him an LOA, but even they aren't responding.
 
@SVKDeWitt

Help me understand where you are in the process. DODMERB DQ'ed and USAFA and USMMA haven't asked your DS for remedials yet? Or they did ask for the remedials, you've given it, and are just waiting for answer on the waiver?
 
@SVKDeWitt

Help me understand where you are in the process. DODMERB DQ'ed and USAFA and USMMA haven't asked your DS for remedials yet? Or they did ask for the remedials, you've given it, and are just waiting for answer on the waiver?

We have all the remedials. Now the website says Medically DQ'd, and status is "Pending waiver request from ..." and that's it.
 
SVKDewitt, if you increase your messages, you then will have ability to private message folks. I have information from my experience that might be helpful to you.
 
SVKDewitt, if you increase your messages, you then will have ability to private message folks. I have information from my experience that might be helpful to you.
I know this string is a year old, but I was wondering if anyone might have any experience with how DODMERB handled 'mood disorder' DQ?
 
SVKDewitt, if you increase your messages, you then will have ability to private message folks. I have information from my experience that might be helpful to you.
I know this string is a year old, but I was wondering if anyone might have any experience with how DODMERB handled 'mood disorder' DQ?
I have some experience; what exactly is your situation and/or question - PM if you'd rather.
 
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