ADHD - Looking for Opinions, and Self/Future Children
I have had recruiters for both the Navy and the Air Force (Active Duty and Reserves) contacting me through the mail and via phone calls. Apparently it has to do with my high testing scores, along with the fact I am a Nursing student being the biggest selling point for them. Given my fiance is now enlisted with the Army, I was not as interested as they hoped. However, I still decided to go ahead and research the options before totally dismissing either of them.
You learn something new every day - I did not realize the fact that I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in December would have the high likelihood to disqualify me from any military branch! :O This is not just limited to those who have been recently diagnosed, but who, at any point, have been diagnosed.
In order to qualify for enlistment, I would have to follow several steps leading up to a medical review board in order to be considered for processing. Even then, it can be a very touch-and-go ordeal, depending on who is involved and where you are enlisting.
A potential recruit has to be off of his or her medicine for a year or more prior to enlisting, with documentation of doctor's authorization of approval to cease medication. During MEPS, a recruit should demonstrate no signs of ADHD (no impulsiveness or inattentiveness, being the two biggest key traits looked for); this gives the recruit a potential of being processed without a doctor's waiver. He/she will still require a full medical review. However, if the recruit was diagnosed during school, a recruit may still need a doctor's waiver along with a school transcript of before and after being on, then off, medicine, along with a review by the branch's medical department. All of this does not guarantee processing - one can still be denied enlistment.
While this does not affect me personally, as I had little interest to join to begin with, it does give me something to keep in mind about my future children, especially if they want to follow in daddy's foot steps. Granted, I am very glad the military has changed their policy on ADHD; in the past, ADHD was an instant disqualification, according to the research I have done.
Has anyone run into this problem or known someone who has? How did it resolve itself? What is your opinion? Some people consider having ADHD a stigma when it comes to attempting to enlist ("ADHD people are lazy/incompetent")- do you agree or disagree?
You learn something new every day - I did not realize the fact that I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in December would have the high likelihood to disqualify me from any military branch! :O This is not just limited to those who have been recently diagnosed, but who, at any point, have been diagnosed.
In order to qualify for enlistment, I would have to follow several steps leading up to a medical review board in order to be considered for processing. Even then, it can be a very touch-and-go ordeal, depending on who is involved and where you are enlisting.
A potential recruit has to be off of his or her medicine for a year or more prior to enlisting, with documentation of doctor's authorization of approval to cease medication. During MEPS, a recruit should demonstrate no signs of ADHD (no impulsiveness or inattentiveness, being the two biggest key traits looked for); this gives the recruit a potential of being processed without a doctor's waiver. He/she will still require a full medical review. However, if the recruit was diagnosed during school, a recruit may still need a doctor's waiver along with a school transcript of before and after being on, then off, medicine, along with a review by the branch's medical department. All of this does not guarantee processing - one can still be denied enlistment.
While this does not affect me personally, as I had little interest to join to begin with, it does give me something to keep in mind about my future children, especially if they want to follow in daddy's foot steps. Granted, I am very glad the military has changed their policy on ADHD; in the past, ADHD was an instant disqualification, according to the research I have done.
Has anyone run into this problem or known someone who has? How did it resolve itself? What is your opinion? Some people consider having ADHD a stigma when it comes to attempting to enlist ("ADHD people are lazy/incompetent")- do you agree or disagree?
Comments
I find it offensive to list people with ADHD as lazy or incompetent! I learn differently yes! but this does not in anyway make me incompetent!
I find it interesting that this is military policy when I personally know someone in the Army who is extremely ADHD. And trust me you can tell just by talking to him. He is not incompetent and actually the military is the best thing for him. He has high ranks and took medicine all through school for ADHD. I'm not sure if he still does now though.
Howevet, I am beyond impulsive, very easily bored, and can be very immature.
@Maranda3 I was very resistant to medication after my diagnosis in December, and it is written on almost every single chart associated with my diagnosis and treatment because I was so adamant about not being on medication. However, I am glad I recently began to take a low dose as needed, and I have seen a world of change. It has done amazing things for my attention span and my constantly-on-the-go state of being. I find I am more social on my medication, since I am not being so easily distracted by the things (ie, noise) around me, therefore I can actually pay attention to those around me. I am as well very easily bored (and slightly immature
@Chels I am sorry to hear that.
@keylanieq I am glad your little one is under the right care.