receiving new mental health diagnosis while in country
A little over a year before I began service, I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety, and prescribed a medication commonly associated with ADHD. I was NOT diagnosed with ADHD. My provider didn’t seem to think i had ADHD, and also didn’t evaluate me for it. The medication helped with some symptoms, but not really with others. All in all, I am a high functioning person, and I was stable. I told PC all of this. After months of gathering documents, I was cleared.
I’ve been in country (eastern europe) for about 4 months. Things have changed. I’ve been struggling internally, and a lot of my symptoms check all the ADHD boxes. I feel like I have to say this: I am NOT suicidal.
This week I called the PCMO for “anxiety,” and I have an appointment for next week. I’m worried that i’ve just signed myself up to be medically separated.
My PCMO told me that a psychiatrist is available in country for me to see. There are several of my peers who have ADHD and are actively taking stimulants in service. However, with how difficult clearance was regarding mental health, I just cant shake the feeling that if I’m diagnosed with ADHD, i’ll be sent home.
Does anyone have experience with receiving new mental health diagnoses during service? I wouldn’t consider myself unstable, but i think I could be doing a lot better than I am currently. I WANT to be here and to do well. Any advice on how to navigate this would be appreciated.
Posted Oct 3, 2025, 5:12 PM UTC