Past psych problems/Prozac

[ediez]

Most of my life I have wanted to have a career in public service, whether it was military or community-based does not matter. Well, when I was 18, one of my friends killed himself and I got really depressed. I was also starting college in a different state and was having a rough time. I started seeing a psychiatrist regularly because I was having suicidal thoughts (which I never acted on or felt close to acting on) and was very depressed. He prescribed prozac for me. I was on prozac for 2 1/2 years before I realized that I didn't need it and it was harming me more than improving my life (sexual disfunction, weight gain, the cost associated with the prescription). I don't believe I needed it and would have been fine talking with a counselor or a support group.. My depression only lasted a short time, yet my parents and doctor felt I should stay on prozac in fear that the depression would come back. Well I made the decision myself to go off prozac (with a physician's advisement on how to properly do so) and did so in December of 2000. I now need 33 credits before I graduate with a Bachelors degree. All 4 military branches will not take me because of my psych evaluation that is in my medical records.. I am now wondering if I should even attempt to apply to police departments or if it would be a waste of time. I have been off prozac for 9 months and feel better than ever.. but I am just afraid this history will ruin my chances at a career in service that I've always dreamed of (as it did with the military).. It's a shame because other than that I feel I would be a great candidate: I'm extremely honest, I've never done any illicit drugs... I only have a couple speeding tickets in the past 6 years.. and have never been in any kind of trouble.

It's ironic that a drug that is supposed to improve my lifestyle has prevented me from advancing in a career. Any ideas?

[AzAtrox]

...call the departments that you are interested in and speak to a BI or recruiter there....I'd describe the entire situation to him/her (IN DETAIL) and see what they say....This way, even if they say "no", at least you know ahead of time and don't bother with the written test, physical agility, poly, etc., before being tripped up on the pysch exam or background investigation.....

-Good Luck!

-AzAtrox

[PearlOnyx]

Unfortunatley in our society, there is a stigma about mental illness. I can't say weather this will be a disqualifying factor for you however, you may want to give it a little more time before you begin applying. Nine months is not a heck of a long time to be off the Meds. It would be definatley in your favor, if you could show a longer period of time off the meds, where you favorably dealt with lifes difficulties and problems. Just a thought, hope everything works out!

[Housecop]

I would still apply. What one department or branch of government may DQ for another may not. I know it can be a tough thing to overcome but you don't will not know until you give it a try. I wish you the best.

[ediez]

Thanks for your replies, folks. I am going to give it some thought and be up front about it. I might write a letter explaining my situation and send it to various departments and see what they say. I won't be quitting my day job anytime soon though just in case :)

[Sam]

Like others said, this will vary from dept to dept. I would suggest that the bigger departments tend to be more in the know about such psych issues. Definately apply.

A word of advice. I know you're trying to save yourself time by checking it out before hand, but watch yourself around sending letters out and/or attaching your name to anything that might be considered negative. They can, and in my experience WILL, come back to haunt you if you send letters out about your situation. I would say either 1) dry call BI's about your situation and don't give your name, or 2) just go through the process and disclose it if/when you have to. Be careful about trying to check in 'too much baggage', if you get my drift.

My experience is that prozac shouldn't really be an issue. If your off it for 9 months, your MMPI will show where you stand now around depression issues. If your still depressed, the psych will ask questions about it and things will go from there.


sam

[ediez]

thanks sam. i hadn't thought about that. good thing i didn't send anything out yet.

[Midtncop]

I posted a reply on this subject in another forum. The short answer is that they can not discriminate against you for depression that is being succesfully treated. It is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This is why departments are required under federal law to give conditional offers of employment before being allowed to ask medical questions. Alot of misinformation is given out on these message boards concerning these ADA issues. Departments can not deny employment based on disabilities as long as the disabilites dont substantionaly interfere with the job. They have to give reasonable accomadations such as allowing the use of medicationtons to control depression.
Alot of officers are on antidepressants including many high ranking officers. Medications such as Prozac are SRIs and not addictive. They only help people that need them. They do not have an adverse affect on people who take them and dont need them. You cant even overdose on SRIs.