Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I suffer from the eating disorder bulimia nervosa, and I finally reached out for help at my University through student counseling. I've been seeing a psychologist, and she recommended I see a psychiatrist. She also mentioned the possible use of anti-depressents. I want to know how seeing a psychiatrist and the use of anti-depressents might affect my chances of getting hired down the road. I do not have suicidal thoughts, thoughts of hurting other people, nor have I been clinically diagnosed with depression.

Thanks for any answers.

Depends on the agency. It might well disqualify you though, it would depend on what the psychologist or psychiatrist says. One thing that comes to mind about bulimia is that it often has to do with self image and self confidence. In this job, you need both to be healthy.

I do have to give you points on spelling and grammar. Seriously, it's refreshing to read a post from a new person that has both....

Depends on the agency. It might well disqualify you though, it would depend on what the psychologist or psychiatrist says. One thing that comes to mind about bulimia is that it often has to do with self image and self confidence. In this job, you need both to be healthy.

I do have to give you points on spelling and grammar. Seriously, it's refreshing to read a post from a new person that has both....

Thanks for your reply. I'm torn between seeking proper help from a psychiatrist or not if it will hurt my chances.

Thanks for your reply. I'm torn between seeking proper help from a psychiatrist or not if it will hurt my chances.

Not a LEO but this is a no-brainer. Seek proper help. You will be evaluated by a LE psychologist somewhere down the line and when he discovers the untreated parts, there will be no place to turn and they are not in the "treatment" business, they are in the DQ business.

Think of it as a broken leg: you can ignore it and hope that somehow the agency won't notice your broken leg when you try to qualify physically and can't run (or it heals in permanent disability and you will never run). Good luck with that strategy. Or you can treat the broken leg and get it repaired so that when you are ready to try out, everything is working properly.

Treat your illness. It's really your only choice.

Thanks for your reply. I'm torn between seeking proper help from a psychiatrist or not if it will hurt my chances.

If the underlying cause has to do with self esteem, the police shrink will definitely catch that. Get help, perhaps you can overcome it and pass a police examination.

Thanks for the replies guys. I am going to make sure I get the proper help I need, I don't think this is something I can overcome myself, as much as I would like too. I went to see a RD who specializes in EDs and struggled with it herself. She said this could be the hardest thing Ill have to overcome in my life.

Thanks again.

You're current health is a thousand times more important than any job. I would imagine taking the proper steps to right yourself now will pay off tenfold in the future, regardless of what you choose for a career.

And yes it certainly could be a setback for getting hired, but that just means you'll have to work a little harder. Honesty is a key.