Can You Enlist in the Military With Ptsd
Mental affliction is an extremely serious and often overlooked problem in the United States.
Millions of people bargain with mental illness every year, but that doesn't mean many of the cases are untreatable.
We're often asked if you tin serve in the military machine with a mental disease.
In that location are military disqualifications for mental health, including ADHD, Depression, PTSD, and many others.
However, not every case is blackness and white.
Proceed reading to find out what the U.S. Military generally allows and does NOT let.
Related Article – 20 Health Atmospheric condition That May Disqualify You From Military machine
ix Mental Health Conditions That Are Disqualifying in the Military
Well-nigh 20% of the U.Southward. population deals with some type of mental illness.
Not just limited to adults, a reported 16.5% of America'due south youth (ages 6-17) experienced a mental health disorder in 2022.
Despite the stigma, mental disease is not uncommon or a "personal problem".
These diseases and conditions are very serious and require treatment similar whatsoever other medical condition.
Serving in the military with mental illness has always been a frail result, considering soldiers bear weapons and could put other lives in jeopardy.
The military treats mental wellness very seriously, because going into combat or other stressful situations could trigger unwanted symptoms.
However, the Armed Forces have recently adapted and changed some of its previous guidelines regarding mental health disqualifications for military service.
Here's a list of ix of the most common mental health weather, and whether or not the status will disqualify yous from military service:
1. Anxiety Disorder
Feet disorders are the about common form of mental illness in the United States.
Oftentimes, anxiety manifests itself during your adolescent years.
You may find it difficult to be around people, or struggle to get on with life because the anxiety is merely overbearing.
If information technology prevents you from doing things you want to do, or makes you lot feel physically sick, it'due south important to talk to a physician nigh your symptoms.
The military has a problem with lumping the various types of anxiety disorders into one general problem.
However, the general rule is that you cannot enter the Armed forces if you lot required inpatient or outpatient care related to an anxiety disorder in the last 12 months.
Additionally, the Department of Defence force examines if any treatment has been prescribed for the disorder in the last 36 months.
Though anxiety bug like panic disorder or social feet may disqualify y'all from serving the war machine, branches similar the Army are beginning to loosen their standards on the problem.
Related Commodity – VA Disability For Anxiety Disorders Guide
ii. Asperger'south
The Department of Defense treats Asperger's Syndrome as an automated mental wellness disqualifier.
Nonetheless, it is important to remember that but similar almost every other grade of mental illness at that place are varying levels of the status.
For case, someone with a mild form of Asperger'south could potentially receive a medical waiver from the military.
Though y'all shouldn't count on it, there is hope if you make your case.
Gathering all medical records related to the syndrome and answering any questions a recruiter has most the condition goes a long way.
3. Autism
In the past, having autism was an automatic disqualifier for armed forces service.
Nevertheless, similar many forms of mental illness, the Department of Defence force is starting to change its perspective on the matter.
It is possible that if y'all were diagnosed with autism as a child you may still accept the ability to overcome the condition and receive a waiver.
Unfortunately, at that place is no articulate blackness and white answer.
Similar a lot of things in the military, the answer depends on what branch you are looking to join and what types of symptoms you regularly deal with regarding autism.
You tin can get more details almost serving the military with autism by reading our article on the subject area.
4. Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is a serious mental illness.
It causes unusual shifts in your mood, concentration, energy, and ability to exercise solar day-to-day functions.
Unfortunately, bipolar disorders are an automatic military mental health disqualifier.
The armed forces considers mood disorders that require medication disqualifying.
five. Depression
Depression is a complicated mental health problem which affects over 17 meg Americans.
It is as well condign more mutual in minors (ages iii-17) with nearly ii one thousand thousand reported cases.
Withal, there are many forms of low and some people are capable of living very normal lives with the mood disorder.
The armed forces volition written report a instance of depression very closely to determine eligibility.
In general, whatsoever mood disorder that requires medication to care for is a mental health disqualification standard.
The military likewise assesses whether the condition affects your social power, learning, or work efficiency.
You may request a waiver for depression, but your efforts may have better odds depending on the branch yous use for.
6. Learning Disabilities (ADHD & ADD)
Learning disabilities like Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are likewise complicated.
In general, learning disabilities are disqualifying.
Yet, if an applicant can demonstrate passing academic performance y'all may get a waiver.
Y'all besides need to prove you haven't used any medication for the learning disability in the last twelvemonth.
The military primarily wants to make sure the disability will not touch on your job performance with a branch.
There are minimum qualifying standards for the Armed services Vocational Aptitude Battery tests as well.
7. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder which causes thoughts or obsessions that obstruct you lot from living a normal life.
There is besides the tendency to do something repetitively (or have compulsions) with OCD.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is non equally well understood as other mental illnesses.
In general, this mental health status is disqualifying in the military.
8. Mail service Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Postal service Traumatic Stress Disorder is also an anxiety trouble.
The disorder causes persistent mental or emotional stress which is ordinarily a result of some grade of trauma.
Unfortunately, PTSD is a common mental illness that gets diagnosed to patients who previously served in the armed forces.
While information technology is rarer for people to try and join the military with PTSD it is not completely abnormal.
Unfortunately, the military considers PTSD a disqualifying mental wellness condition.
If you've been diagnosed with PTSD you probable won't receive a waiver.
9. Suicidal Tendencies
The military considers any suicide attempts in the by equally disqualifying for military service.
Additionally, whatever history of suicidal beliefs that includes gestures or discussions nigh the thought is disqualifying.
The military as well previously butterfingers those that had a history with self-mutilation.
However, branches like the Army are currently loosening their guidelines on the matter.
The Department of Defence force must treat previous suicide attempts or suicidal behavior very seriously since you'll carry a weapon and get trained as a soldier.
Related Article: Tin can You Join The Armed forces With Add together/ADHD?
How does the armed forces test for mental wellness disorders?
The war machine treats mental health very seriously and takes a rigid stance on enforcing disqualifications.
Military mental health disqualifications can prevent you from serving in the military machine.
The problem with many types of mental illness is that the diagnosis is highly subjective.
Furthermore, there are varying levels of anxiety disorders and depression.
For example, you may be aware that you lot struggle with anxiety yet be able to manage it without needing medication.
Meanwhile, another person may need medication to help keep anxiety and panic attacks from becoming too severe.
The military conducts a psychological evaluation during Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).
Don't take the psychological evaluation personally because every new recruit has to endure the same evaluation.
The armed forces needs to determine if you accept mental aptitude in addition to meeting physical fitness standards for enlistment.
Related Article: Army APFT Standards for Males and Females
MEPS Mental Health Screening
The military machine uses a mental wellness screening to see if at that place are whatsoever potential crimson flags that will prevent you from carrying out your office fully with the military.
Furthermore, the armed services wants to verify that y'all aren't a danger to yourself or others.
Both a military recruiter and an evaluator at MEPS will ask you questions about your mental health through a one-on-1 interview.
The interview isn't too detailed if in that location are no concerns or cerise flags within the your medical record.
Prepare yourself to answer questions honestly and truthfully, but most agree that you don't need to bring upward whatsoever preexisting atmospheric condition unless information technology has greatly impacted your life in the by.
Everyone deals with some type of anxiety and has days where they feel downwardly.
However, those symptoms are different from someone that is diagnosed with and suffers from mood disorders or other mental illnesses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some frequently asked questions almost military machine disqualifications for mental health:
Tin can you join the Regular army with a history of depression?
Depression is a hard mental health status for anyone to figure out, much less the military.
The military currently has a broad definition of depression that doesn't encompass its many facets.
Information technology's still struggling to find out how to bargain with the rising problem in the U.s.a..
While in the past it was a disqualifier, nearly armed forces branches are changing their stance on diagnosed examples.
Therefore, you may receive a waiver after the military machine examines your personal circumstances.
The military will study things like when you were diagnosed, current symptoms, if you take medication for your low, and if yous've received inpatient/outpatient care in the last year.
Tin y'all take antidepressants in the military?
In the past, the armed forces has disqualified just about any medication related to mental health.
Notwithstanding, the current policy is a petty different.
It by and large disqualifies anyone that is or has taken medication for mental disease in the terminal year.
If it'south been more a twelvemonth y'all may receive a waiver but the military machine will demand to examine your medical records and speak to your physician.
The rules apply to medications like Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, and Wellbutrin.
Even so, that doesn't cease the military from reportedly prescribing antidepressants to a surprisingly high number of active-duty soldiers.
It's worth pointing out that some people advise non mentioning any previous mental health diagnoses or medications to a recruiter, likewise as MEPS.
The decision is up to you, simply some strongly believe that what isn't known doesn't injure anyone.
However, the military has ways of finding out if the mental health status is on your medical records.
Related Article: Can You lot Bring together The Military With A Felony?
Can you join the war machine with PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) disqualifies yous from war machine service in most cases.
The problem with PTSD is that the disorder is oft linked to serious trauma like what you might feel serving the Military machine.
Therefore, serving the war machine might only make symptoms worse.
You should avoid service to find more than effective ways to cope with the disorder.
Is having anxiety or an anxiety disorder disqualifying?
As we mentioned earlier, anxiety is a broad term which covers several different mental illnesses.
For example, bipolar disorder and PTSD are extremely astringent forms of mood disorders and normally hard to receive a waiver.
Meanwhile, other forms of anxiety such as having panic attacks or dealing with mild forms of depression may allow you to obtain a waiver.
The military examines whether you lot recently had inpatient or outpatient care related to your anxiety.
Information technology likewise studies if yous took any prescription medication to help deal with anxiety in the last year or final 3 years depending on the status.
What about alcohol or drug corruption?
A history of alcohol or drug dependence may disqualify you from military service.
The military carefully scrutinizes alcohol corruption or drug corruption that requires inpatient or outpatient care.
Issues with booze or drugs can go problematic during armed services service for several reasons.
Information technology can also enhance or worsen symptoms of other, undiagnosed mental wellness conditions.
Conclusion
Mental wellness is a frail effect that needs more funding and understanding to help raise awareness.
One in v people suffer from some blazon of mental illness.
Whether it is a mild grade of anxiety or depression or you struggle with life-altering weather like bipolar disorder or suicidal tendencies – the first step is to get aid.
Many types of mental illness are treatable and can reduce serious symptoms.
When it comes to military service several mental illnesses are disqualifying.
However, the military (especially the Army) has recently relaxed several of its guidelines regarding mental illness.
Therefore, yous may authorize for a waiver after the armed forces carefully examines your personal circumstances.
Resource
SAMHSA'south National Helpline – A gratuitous and confidential government service that helps individuals and families coping with mental and/or substance apply disorders.
SAMHSA Behavioral Wellness Treatment Services Locator – Help with finding a handling facility well-nigh you.
Anxiety and Depression Clan of America – Help with finding a therapist.
See Also
Military Medical Waiver Guide
- Author
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Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. While he never actually served in the US Armed services, he has a passion for writing about military related topics.
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Found Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is besides a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flying Teacher (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight fourth dimension.
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