2007.03.15: March 15, 2007: Headlines: Depression: Recruitment: Medicine: Live Journal: I was diagnosed with clinical depression back in high school and was hospitalized a few times. I haven't been on any meds since 2003 but I saw a therapist twice in December of 2006. What exactly is the policy on dealing with depression?
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2007.03.15: March 15, 2007: Headlines: Depression: Recruitment: Medicine: Live Journal: I was diagnosed with clinical depression back in high school and was hospitalized a few times. I haven't been on any meds since 2003 but I saw a therapist twice in December of 2006. What exactly is the policy on dealing with depression?
I was diagnosed with clinical depression back in high school and was hospitalized a few times. I haven't been on any meds since 2003 but I saw a therapist twice in December of 2006. What exactly is the policy on dealing with depression?
PC service is *incredibly* stressful. Many people in my group, myself included, have had issues with depression & stress since arriving, many of us didn't have these issues back in the States. When a person with a history of depression is medically cleared, it is my understanding that they'll try to place you in a country where you'll have access to the necessary support structures should you need them. So for instance, you'll be sent to a place where there are reliable, reputable therapists. If you need to talk to someone for a couple of sessions, PC can send you. What they can't do is long-term ongoing therapy-- they can't be having you come into the capital for weekly sessions for 2 years, but it's a great resource to be able to talk to someone when you are going through a rough spot! PC takes this seriously because when you are a vol, they are responsible for your health and wellbeing. Not knowing about a history of depression is something that they consider a risk to you.
I was diagnosed with clinical depression back in high school and was hospitalized a few times. I haven't been on any meds since 2003 but I saw a therapist twice in December of 2006. What exactly is the policy on dealing with depression?
Health question
Hi everybody.
My name is Karen and I have my interview on the 21st (Keep your fingers crossed for me!) I speak multiple languages, am certified to teach English as a second language, and am an active volunteer in my community. The first time I spoke to a recruiter, she thought that the Peace Corps would be a great match for me. But I'm a little worried.
It seems like everybody knows somebody who got turned down for a medical reason. My main area of concern is depression. I was diagnosed with clinical depression back in high school and was hospitalized a few times. I haven't been on any meds since 2003 but I saw a therapist twice in December of 2006. What exactly is the policy on dealing with depression?
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spokaloothezoo
2007-03-15 05:18 pm UTC (link)
It seems to be that if you stick the medical process out and stick with the application process you can get in. I think probably some people say they were denied for medical reasons because thats easier to admitt then saying you decided you didn't want to do it. That might be a reason why you have come across so many people.
Someone told me they applied but were too old---they were in their fifties but as we know there is no upper age limit.
at any rate from what I have seen on the groups you have to have a evaluation done if you have had your type of history. I would suggest you call your therepist or whoever was treating you and ask them if they think this is something you could do. If they say yes then they would probably be willing to sign off on you. If they say no then you might want to reconsider. At any rate it doesn't hurt to apply beyond emotional investment. If you are turned down you can appeal and you can also wait and re-apply.
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samuraibutterfl
2007-03-16 08:40 pm UTC (link)
Currently, I'm not seeing anybody. I went to talk to somebody twice in December and that was more just a vent thing than anything else. The last person I saw before that was in 2004 but I did see him for two years. Do you think it would be worth getting in touch with him again?
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spokaloothezoo
2007-03-16 10:30 pm UTC (link)
Might be worth it. Again your going to have to put in extra effort and asking them before you hand over paper "do you feel I could leave the country as a peace corp voulenteer for 27 months" would be well worth it. If they are hesitant then re-evaluate if you want to go to someone new.
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unskinnybop2
2007-03-15 10:34 pm UTC (link)
They sent me forms for my counselor to fill out about my history of depression, but she had quit her job so I had to send her notes. This was all back in October and I still havent heard back from the Peace Corps. I've called a few times and it seems as though the person I need to talk to is never in the office so I always plan to call back, but I'm a busy graduate student and dont have too much time to deal with this. Needless to say, I'm so super irritated by the whole ordeal. By the way, I was diagnosed with clinical depression in high school and hospitalized too, so I hope your situation turns out better than mine.
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calante9
2007-03-16 09:06 am UTC (link)
Have you tried talking to your screening nurse about it? I had a minor snafu with some paperwork they were supposed to send me that never arrived, and I left multiple messages on the machine of the person I was supposed to talk to, with no success. I finally ended up calling my screening nurse and asking her if there was some other way to reach this person, or get the forms re-sent, and she was able help me resolve it quickly.
I feel you on the time crunch, though-- I'm also a student and it's a giant pain to constantly be calling PC while also worrying about classes and papers. Character-building, I suppose...
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unskinnybop2
2007-03-16 10:56 am UTC (link)
yea my screening nurse is the person I've been trying to call with no luck. I know I could leave a message, but part of me is paranoid about leaving my social security number on somebody's voicemail.
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calante9
2007-03-19 06:08 am UTC (link)
Oh, that's no fun. Do leave messages, though-- a lot of times I won't directly reach my screening nurse, but if I leave a message she calls me back pretty quickly.
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calante9
2007-03-16 09:02 am UTC (link)
Most people probably do know someone else who didn't make it through the medical process, but as others have said, a lot of people drop out because of frustration with the process or they just change their minds, and I expect it is easier sometimes to blame it on medical hurdles.
I don't know how true this is, but my recruiter told me that around 85-90% of people get medically cleared, not including those who drop out of the process on their own. However, I was asking her a lot about medical clearance because I was concerned over a stomach condition I have, so she might have just been placating me :-)
Also, it's likely that PC Medical will focus a lot on the counseling you had in December-- in my experience they tend to be bothered more by more recent situations, even if past ones were actually more serious.
Good luck on your interview!
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samuraibutterfl
2007-03-16 08:38 pm UTC (link)
Thank you :D
The thing in December was a two time thing. I went to the free clinic near my school and just vented for a bit. I needed an impartial third party to talk to. I'm worried that they will see it as something bigger considering my history.
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calante9
2007-03-17 12:55 am UTC (link)
Yeah, the unfortunate thing is that they're likely to see it that way too. I know there was a woman either here or on the Yahoo group who'd dealt with her history of counseling by focusing on how it had helped her learn better strategies and ways of dealing with problems, and she was successful in getting medical clearance. So maybe a similar approach would work for you too?
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nuhun_ruhu
2007-03-16 11:26 am UTC (link)
I have clinical depression as well, but I never discuss it with anyone aside from those who need to know. I wouldn't consider this a need-to-know basis. If YOU think you can handle it, do it. If you don't think you can handle it, don't. If you don't know yourself well enough to decide, don't. It's very simple.
Depression is one of those diseases that's unnecessary to discuss. Only you will suffer from it. It's not dangerous to anyone else but yourself. It's not contageous.
If you've ever been abroad before - especially to a poor region - you'll be able to judge for yourself if you are suited to the Peacecorps. Bringing up your depression will never get your foot in any door.
helene.
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africanist
2007-03-16 02:41 pm UTC (link)
Well, in the case of the peacecorps, not bringing up your depression could result in your being kicked out at a later date if it ever comes up. The medical clearance process is VERY thorough, and if you sign a form swearing that the information included is correct and they later learn you have suffered from depression (or any other medical condition that you failed to disclose) you will be very unceremoniously sent home. Immediately.
To an extent, the peace corps has a responsibility for the health and safety of its volunteers. Just because depression is not contagious does not mean that a volunteer who has suffered from depression in the past will be healthy or safe in all possible project sites. Your condition could play into where they decide to send you (both which country and which sites within a country). For example--someone with a personal or family history of alcohollism may not be sent to a country where there is a heavy drinking culture and that person would have difficulty assimilating without imbibing.
The Peace Corps does regularly accept people who suffer from depression--but it is in your best interest to disclose this. Transitioning to a fairly isolated existence in a strange culture and language is enough to cause anyone a fair amount of emotional distress. If the medical staff in your country are aware of your condition they will be much more understanding and readily able to assist with any issues or problems that arise.
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samuraibutterfl
2007-03-16 08:37 pm UTC (link)
To my mind, a case like this IS when they need to know.
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globalnomad77
2007-03-17 11:18 am UTC (link)
Absolutely!!!
PC service is *incredibly* stressful. Many people in my group, myself included, have had issues with depression & stress since arriving, many of us didn't have these issues back in the States.
When a person with a history of depression is medically cleared, it is my understanding that they'll try to place you in a country where you'll have access to the necessary support structures should you need them. So for instance, you'll be sent to a place where there are reliable, reputable therapists. If you need to talk to someone for a couple of sessions, PC can send you. What they can't do is long-term ongoing therapy-- they can't be having you come into the capital for weekly sessions for 2 years, but it's a great resource to be able to talk to someone when you are going through a rough spot!
PC takes this seriously because when you are a vol, they are responsible for your health and wellbeing. Not knowing about a history of depression is something that they consider a risk to you.
(Reply to this)(Parent)
christine
2007-03-19 12:54 pm UTC (link)
In addition to what the others said about it being important to disclose, you should remember that persons with a history of depression can not take certain malaria medications, because it is likely to cause them flare-ups of depression, anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts. Peace Corps absolutely needs to know if you have a history of depression, so that they can either send you somewhere that doesn't require a malaria prophylaxes, or make sure that you're provided with a medication that is "safe" for people with a history of depression.
I'm glad that the opening poster sees the situation differently than you do, because if she took your advice and was later found out, PC certainly wouldn't take "someone on the internet said it would be okay" as an excuse.
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Headlines: March, 2007; Depression; Recruitment; Medicine
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