Past medical issues

[Spike511]

Hello,

My original intentions were to complete Army ROTC in a year when I go to college and ADSO for branch 31A (Military Police: Officer)...however, it may be possible I'll be medically DQ'd for a few reasons with the army, and I was wondering if they apply in law enforcement as well:

Through elementary school (I'd say, maybe third-fourth grade), I was diagnosed with ADD. I went on medecine for that year or two, however I have been off it for almost seven years now, eight by the time I apply for ROTC, 12 by the time I commision.

Also, I saw a therapist for OCD three or so years ago. I never recieved medication, just counciling. I had an issue with lightswitches and electrical outlets, but it only ever applied at my house. That feeling was non-existant anywhere else. I was concerned that one would spark and burn my house down (which I saw on a Life Alert commerical...heh...). However, for the past almost two years, the only even possible OCD like symptom I experience is that if there's an important event I had to get up early for, I would check my alarm clock a few times....just to make sure I wouldn't be late. That and during football when theft in the locker room started kicking up I checked my lock one or two more times extra, due to the theft.

I would consider the OCD very mild at this point, and the ADD non-existant. I'm confident I should be able to recieve letters from both doctors saying the same.

Will this history DQ me?

Thanks,
Eric

[mythoss]

if checking your alarm clock a few times is considered OCD then I think I might have it

I'm no hiring expert, but I wouldn't think what you described would be an AUTO DQ.

[retdetsgt]

A qualified police psychologist would have to study your history, interview you and give you a battery of tests (like they do every applicant) and make that determination.

The stress associated with police work will often exacerbate some psychological problems, but no one here is an expert on things like that (to my knowledge).

[Legoate]

Only the department psych will know the answer to that.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

What these guys said.

(Dang. Y'all are some smart mofo's. )

[BJJVad]

Hello,

My original intentions were to complete Army ROTC in a year when I go to college and ADSO for branch 31A (Military Police: Officer)...however, it may be possible I'll be medically DQ'd for a few reasons with the army, and I was wondering if they apply in law enforcement as well:

Through elementary school (I'd say, maybe third-fourth grade), I was diagnosed with ADD. I went on medecine for that year or two, however I have been off it for almost seven years now, eight by the time I apply for ROTC, 12 by the time I commision.

Also, I saw a therapist for OCD three or so years ago. I never recieved medication, just counciling. I had an issue with lightswitches and electrical outlets, but it only ever applied at my house. That feeling was non-existant anywhere else. I was concerned that one would spark and burn my house down (which I saw on a Life Alert commerical...heh...). However, for the past almost two years, the only even possible OCD like symptom I experience is that if there's an important event I had to get up early for, I would check my alarm clock a few times....just to make sure I wouldn't be late. That and during football when theft in the locker room started kicking up I checked my lock one or two more times extra, due to the theft.

I would consider the OCD very mild at this point, and the ADD non-existant. I'm confident I should be able to recieve letters from both doctors saying the same.

Will this history DQ me?

Thanks,
Eric

Hi, I'm BJJVad and I am a recovery ADHD-aholic..

I would tell you my coping methods, but I may worry some of the folks on the site.

[deputywave]

You'll have to check with whatever departments you are interested in. I can say that OCD didn't DQ me.

[Spike511]

Thanks! Thats a great help!

If all I have to do is take some tests, I'm not too concerned. The therapy really helped (it used to be pretty bad...), and I really dont even exhibit any signs anymore...

I was concerned because since college is right around the corner I wanted to pursue a Criminal Justice degree...but just in case...maybe I'll take Informational Analysis/Homeland Security just in case, so if I get deferred I can go work with the CIA/DoD/Homeland Security, etc.

Thanks again,
Eric

[retdetsgt]

Eric,
You might want to do a search around the forum regarding getting a CJ degree. There are lotsa opinions about that too.

[Spike511]

I got in touch with my neighboor today (who is chief of police for my local department), and he claims he dosent even remember being asked and he directed me to their official website. Once there, and after reading the three application forms..I discovered that nowhere did it inquire about anything like OCD...just drug usage and arrests, traffic violations, etc.

Hypathetically, lets say I was out of college and applying to agencies, would that be all that was asked? Or is that just part of what they ask? Hypathetically speaking, would I be in the clear for that particular agency?

Thanks,
Eric

[BJJVad]

I got in touch with my neighboor today (who is chief of police for my local department), and he claims he dosent even remember being asked and he directed me to their official website. Once there, and after reading the three application forms..I discovered that nowhere did it inquire about anything like OCD...just drug usage and arrests, traffic violations, etc.

For ADD, it's considered a learning disorder. It's usually covered under psych test.

The written psych was very long and I had to mentally fight some ADHD issues with sitting still, and cranking the thing out. I was however able to adapt and over come.

I would assume OCD is similar, but I don't know for sure.

Hypathetically, lets say I was out of college and applying to agencies, would that be all that was asked? Or is that just part of what they ask? Hypathetically speaking, would I be in the clear for that particular agency?

Thanks,
Eric

We cannot give you the definitive answer you are looking for. You will have to apply and find out. I did get asked about my ADHD issues by the psychologist. Couldn't have been to bad, they still hired me.