Thread: Medical records

Under the medical record section of the SF-86 it asks if you have ever seen a psychiatrist regarding a mental health condition, but it does not ask you to give any details. Would it be smart to attach additional documentation describing what I was treated for and the outcome of those treatments? Or should I wait to see if they want to follow up with me on that?

Originally Posted by ForeverZero

Under the medical record section of the SF-86 it asks if you have ever seen a psychiatrist regarding a mental health condition, but it does not ask you to give any details. Would it be smart to attach additional documentation describing what I was treated for and the outcome of those treatments? Or should I wait to see if they want to follow up with me on that?

I think that is why you sign the medical records release waiver and go through the physical. But I think it is always best to fully disclose everything or talk to your applicant coordinator. I would be interested in hearing what the outcome is or what the moderators would recommend.

Granted, I am not a forum moderator, but in my opinion you should take the time to offer a brief explanation of any psychiatric treatment or counseling that you have had and attach it to the SF-86.

In the end, I wouldn't worry too much about what the agencies that you are applying to think about the fact that you may have had psychiatric treatment or counselling in the past. There is still WAY too much of a stigma attached to such things in our society on the whole, but I think that most application coordinators are sensitive enough to know that there are plenty of good applicants who, for many legitemate reasons, have seen a counsellor or psychiatrist.

Good luck!

Because I had indicated I had received psychiatric/psychoanalytic services on the SF-86, in my security interview I was asked to provide names, addresses, and phone numbers of all mental health professionals I had seen, dates of service, and any medications taken. During the BI, I was requested to see a psychiatrist for a "complete psychiatric interview" and have the provider submit a letter answering specific questions about the evaluation. This was, of course, an out-of-pocket expense for me, since it wasn't a medically necessary interview, and my agency, the FBI, did not pay for it. I got off lightly for $500.

If the SF-86 doesn't ask for specifics, go ahead and provide them if there's space, but if not, don't worry, you'll definitely be given the opportunity later! I suppose it depends on your agency as to how much detail is required.

Cheryl

Originally Posted by JCMC219

In the end, I wouldn't worry too much about what the agencies that you are applying to think about the fact that you may have had psychiatric treatment or counselling in the past. There is still WAY too much of a stigma attached to such things in our society on the whole, but I think that most application coordinators are sensitive enough to know that there are plenty of good applicants who, for many legitemate reasons, have seen a counsellor or psychiatrist.

Good luck!

Very well said. It is very hard to get people to talk to the mental health teams after returning from Iraqi or Afghanistan. Many people are afraid that it will affect future promotion potential or job prospects in the civilian world.

PS I reread my posting and realized I may have inadvertently slighted people by only referring to the moderators. Sorry about that.

i totally agree with you all. the more (psychiatric) support we provide returning vets, the better it will be for them and for society in the long run. and no stigma should attach to someone who received help. just like no stigma should attach to someone who was treated for the stomach flu over there. both the brain and the stomach can get sick.

same goes for law enforcement officers or anyone who works in a high stress environment -- it's a lot better to provide therapeutic care and deal with a condition than to see a life succumb to depression/alcoholism/or one of the many -isms that are aggravated by high stress environments.

the more that we openly acknowledge psychiatric illness and treament, the less it will remain a stigma.