Anti-Depressants & Joining the Navy?!
Question: I'm on DEP with the Navy and suffer from a mild case of occasional depression where I feel real down for while then I'm ok for a while. Unfortunately, it runs in my family. However, I've never been prescribed antidepressants, but one day I may have to.
Will the Navy prescribe me antidepressants?
Will it affect promotions if they know I'm on them? I'm thinking about becoming an Officer.
Answers: I'm on DEP with the Navy and suffer from a mild case of occasional depression where I feel real down for while then I'm ok for a while. Unfortunately, it runs in my family. However, I've never been prescribed antidepressants, but one day I may have to.
Will the Navy prescribe me antidepressants?
Will it affect promotions if they know I'm on them? I'm thinking about becoming an Officer.
for one, anti-depressants are given to people who have major depression. if you have a mild case of depression, which many people do... you should either see a psychologist first, and speak to him/her about what's going on. if you truly need an anti-depressant, they will recommend you to a psychiatrist or a doctor with a note concerning the reasons for it. but with any medication comes side-effects, and there comes a ton with anti-depressants. it is best to get rid of your problems without the help of pills, you can win your inner-battle by yourself. and plus, anti-depressants aren't really effective to get rid of your depression, try and find a psychologist who practices cognitive behavior therapy, it's been proven that it has more permanent results.
It will disqualify you from becoming an officer so if you take them, wait till after your officer commission. It won't affect your promotions, but if they feel your symptoms are bad enough, they could medically separate you.
Actually, don't even mention anything about psychological problems until after becoming an officer if you think you can tough it out.