To an officer recruiter
09-12-2010 | 05:30 PM
#1
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done, gone skiing
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From: Rocking chair
To an officer recruiter
I'm a parent of a son currently taking an ADHD med. He is 13 and expressing an interest in flying for the USCG. I have looked over the medical issues in applying to (any) service and notice that a waver would probably be required from the DoDMERB due to a YES on the question are to taking drugs or have you ever taken drugs related to ADD or ADHD. Can anyone, preferably a DOD officer recruiter, tell me if current or past use of medications for the control of ADD or ADHD have ever received a waver?? I don't want to point my son down a road there is no chance to crossing. you can PM if you wish.
09-12-2010 | 06:21 PM
#2
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Some good reading here....
?s on ADD/ADHD - Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (Ritalin) - Baseops Forums
?s on ADD/ADHD - Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (Ritalin) - Baseops Forums
09-13-2010 | 04:19 AM
#3
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done, gone skiing
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From: Rocking chair
PittsDriver,
Thanks for the link. Very good discussion and info regarding this issue. I'm really of two minds about my son taking this drug. His mother thinks it "helps" keep him calm and focused in school. I'm not convinced he's just not as mature as she wishes he would be. Either way, we are limiting his options later in life if various employers can and do limit opportunities due to past use of the drugs used to control ADD or ADHD diagnosis.
Thanks for the link. Very good discussion and info regarding this issue. I'm really of two minds about my son taking this drug. His mother thinks it "helps" keep him calm and focused in school. I'm not convinced he's just not as mature as she wishes he would be. Either way, we are limiting his options later in life if various employers can and do limit opportunities due to past use of the drugs used to control ADD or ADHD diagnosis.
09-13-2010 | 01:53 PM
#4
Thx Age 65
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From: MD11CAP
I don't know if you ever saw this documentary about psychoactive drugs and children, but it changed how I look at Doctors and the Pharmaceutical industry.
FRONTLINE: the medicated child: watch the full program | PBS
FRONTLINE: the medicated child: watch the full program | PBS
09-13-2010 | 05:51 PM
#5
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Your son will be fine, so long as he is weeded off these ADD and ADHD drugs within the next couple years. Use of these meds in your early teen years is easily waiverable, and may not even require a waiver depending on the circumstances. *The sooner you can get him off these, the better his chances will remain* (if you are certain he can perform fine without them, by all means do it)
However, if your wife loves medications and feels that all psychiatric recommended drugs are good for kids, then use caution. Depression, anxiety, bipolar drugs, etc. are not waiverable, and will likely end his chances.
However, if your wife loves medications and feels that all psychiatric recommended drugs are good for kids, then use caution. Depression, anxiety, bipolar drugs, etc. are not waiverable, and will likely end his chances.
09-14-2010 | 02:19 PM
#6
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From: Legacy FO
A college friend of mine had taken depression medication due to his parents divorce while he was a teenager. This significantly impacted his career. When he was putting in for security clearances, he was initially denied. That was just the tip of the iceberg. After a long and painful process, he was finally cleared and was able to do his job.
But this hasn't gone away. When he left the chair force, while filling out an application, he answered yes to a series of questions asking if he had ever lost or had been denied a security clearance. Again he found himself on the defense, trying to explain something that happened while he was a kid.
But this hasn't gone away. When he left the chair force, while filling out an application, he answered yes to a series of questions asking if he had ever lost or had been denied a security clearance. Again he found himself on the defense, trying to explain something that happened while he was a kid.
09-15-2010 | 07:57 AM
#8
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From: 737 Right
The way that 95% of us would deal with this issue is to make sure that there's nothing in his records and then check the NO box.
I'm not joking. You're asking for an extreme amount of butt pain if you check yes to anything in the health questionaire.
As an elementary school student I took ADHD medication for a couple of months.
By the time I was a college student, there was nothing about it in my medical records and I've never mentioned it to a flight surgeon.
I'm not joking. You're asking for an extreme amount of butt pain if you check yes to anything in the health questionaire.
As an elementary school student I took ADHD medication for a couple of months.
By the time I was a college student, there was nothing about it in my medical records and I've never mentioned it to a flight surgeon.
09-15-2010 | 11:40 PM
#9
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The way that 95% of us would deal with this issue is to make sure that there's nothing in his records and then check the NO box.
I'm not joking. You're asking for an extreme amount of butt pain if you check yes to anything in the health questionaire.
I'm not joking. You're asking for an extreme amount of butt pain if you check yes to anything in the health questionaire.
Roger and Yep!!
09-16-2010 | 05:19 AM
#10
Prime Minister/Moderator
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
The way that 95% of us would deal with this issue is to make sure that there's nothing in his records and then check the NO box.
I'm not joking. You're asking for an extreme amount of butt pain if you check yes to anything in the health questionaire.
As an elementary school student I took ADHD medication for a couple of months.
By the time I was a college student, there was nothing about it in my medical records and I've never mentioned it to a flight surgeon.
I'm not joking. You're asking for an extreme amount of butt pain if you check yes to anything in the health questionaire.
As an elementary school student I took ADHD medication for a couple of months.
By the time I was a college student, there was nothing about it in my medical records and I've never mentioned it to a flight surgeon.
It's kind of a don't-ask-don't tell situation. As long as the condition is not going to cause incapacitation nobody really cares. But if you check the box, the medicos have to do their diligence. If the kid was over-diagnosed don't worry about it. But get him off the meds asap if he wants to fly some day.
The FAA is also very draconian about ADHD and civilian medical certification...they are very lenient with a lot of things but that one can be major roadblock.
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