Antidepressants disqualifiers for Army?

Miss Chybil RN, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2007

Ask a recruiter. In my experience, it would be a disqualifier, but the only way to know for sure is to ask.

CrownHunter · Jan 22, 2007

Antidepressents and a Dx of depression is a disqualifier, unless you can prove that it is or was a temporary thing.

charebec65 · Jan 22, 2007

My friend's son was ADHD. He had to be off of all meds and out of tx for a certain amount of time to qualify for the Marines. I forget how long but it seems like a couple of years. My son is also ADHD but he's started refusing meds and tx long enough before that it was a moot point by the time he joined the Army.

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 22, 2007

Hello,
I'm hoping someone will please answer a question for me.
Is a dx of depression and taking antidepressants is a disqualifier for service in the Army? Or is this something that is waiverable?
Thanks!
Diane

Hello Diane,

What I am learning from Military folks is that there is not really a "pat" answer for disqualifying reasons. Some have specified that what may be waived once, may not be waived the next time and you shouldn't rule yourself out until you speak with an AMEDD recruiter, (heck, maybe two!!)

Make sure you speak with an AMEDD recruiter and not an enlisted recruiter as they are seeking different things.

If you read this list of dq'ing reasons http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,rec_step07_DQ_medical,,00.html you will see that psychotic disorders and personality disorders are listed yet, the closest I saw that would cover depression would be the disclaimer at the bottom:

Miscellaneous

Any condition that in the opinion of the examining medical officer will significantly interfere with the successful performance of military duty or training may be a cause for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction.

I say to give it a try!! Good luck,

Gen

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 25, 2007

Thanks, everyone for your feedback and encouragement.

I have only been on my anti-depressants for 5 months, so it sounds like it might not be an automatic d/q.....

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 25, 2007

Thanks, everyone for your feedback and encouragement.
I have only been on my anti-depressants for 5 months, so it sounds like it might not be an automatic d/q.....

Good luck!

Also, remember, if at first you don't succeed...:)

Just in case they want to wait for a year of non-prescription, you never know.

Keep us posted and remember we are rooting for you.

Gen-who had two wiaver requests and had to go through Three boards before accepted!! Third time was the charm.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 25, 2007

Hi Gen-

Thanks for your encouragement!

Right now I'm waiting to hear on my first waiver, which is the age waiver...

Sigh.... sounds like I need to be patient, eh?

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 25, 2007

Hi Gen-
Thanks for your encouragement!
Right now I'm waiting to hear on my first waiver, which is the age waiver...
Sigh.... sounds like I need to be patient, eh?

Hi,

AGe waiver? You are only 36, they take up to age 42 for active duty? I did need an age waiver myself since I will be just over age 60 in 20 years. What was the reason they made you get an age waiver?

Odd, maybe it is just a standard waiver!!

Gen

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 25, 2007

Hi Gen,

Actually, I need the age waiver because I am planning on going through the ROTC program at my University. Then after graduation, I would attend OBC for 3 months and earn my commission that way. I like the idea of the stipend, tuition paid, etc by commissioning through the ROTC program.

Anyway, they have an age cutoff for ROTC, which I think is 25...