My interview tomorrow, but I have a history of depression.
January 31st, 2010 by Allets.Hello All!
Finally, after carefully finishing my application, my interview is tomorrow! I wish I’d found this website earlier…
I have a problem. I had a history of depression not long ago. I was diagnosed with Major Depression on Feb. 2009. Back then, I came back from a volunteering cycling ride from Texas to Alaska for 70 days for cancer research. When I came back, it was very hard for me to adjust to the city life and more importantly, I just had experienced heaven, it was hard for me to live my old life. I wanted to quickly finish school (I’m a premed) and go out to the world and help people. It all kind of added up and I was having a devastating semester. So I decided something was wrong with me and I checked myself into a psychiatrist office for help. I took that semester off so that I could concentrate on the therapy. I did my best to get out of the situation.
In the meanwhile, man, I learned A LOT about myself. I was actually grateful that I went through it because it became one of my lifechanging moments. Since then, my attitude towards me completely changed, and I’ve never been depressed for the last 6 months or so.
In the application I remember checking the box for the visit to a therapist. But I left the box for “other mental health issues” blank. I was confused about the question + Afraid of the rejection.
I decided to call the headquarters to tell them that I had been diagnosed with depression two days later I submitted everything. But my friend told me a story of an applicant who was rejected because she had a history of depression.
I have been waiting for my whole 5 years of college life to become a Peace Corps Volunteer before I go to the med school. I ardently desire to become one.
Some people say, lie about it. Some people say tell the truth (I’m pretty sure I will be rejected for my medical issue). I know I won’t be able to lie about it. I will tell the truth. But I can’t get rid of the feeling that I will be rejected when I subjectively look at my not long ago experience with depression.
What do I do? I am going to tell the truth, but I feel like I need to get ready for the rejection and appeals…
p.s. When I’m abroad or volunteering, I DIDN’T BECOME DEPRESSED AT ALL! I always used to be the happiest kid in those abroad volunteering experiences.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:47 pm
From what I’ve read, it sounds like you shouldn’t be worried too much as it doesn’t sound like you have chronic depression. More so, it sounds like you did it as a precaution. My question is, have you been back for a visit Feburary 2009? Were you prescribed any drugs and have you taken any drugs? Are you on any anti-depression drugs?
If it comes up during the interview, my advice would be to downplay it.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Thanks! I’ve done the interview. It went smoothly, and I actually brought it up to the recruiter.
Because having been through depression was a rather very positive experience for me and I learned a lot from it. Plus, I felt uneasy for disclosing the fact that might be considered as significant for the PC.
Yes, I’ve followed up with the doctor for about 2 months, and stopped when I was told that I would be fine without the antidepressant (I was prescribed with pills at first).
After the interview the recruiter said I should still be very likely to be stationed, and depression issue won’t be a big thing to prevent me from going. I accepted this comment as partly being courteous, though.
I’m just crossing my fingers that I would pass the medical clearance process.
If not, I’m going to do the appeal process.
Thanks for your comment!
February 17th, 2010 at 12:41 am
I’m glad the interview went well! I went through the same thing during my application process. I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar, and was on several different meds – a fact I was also tempted to omit when I applied. I didn’t, which meant I had lots of extra paper work to fill out, but it all turned out well – my wife are leaving for service in two weeks.
My advice is to be honest and positive: find as many ways as you can (extra statements, calls to medical staff) to explain how you manage your mood, how much you’ve thought about what triggers mood changes, and what’s different in your life now. In the end, your assignment choices may be limited by a qualified medical clearance – but that always seems up in the air with the Peace Corps anyway. Best of luck!
March 4th, 2010 at 2:33 am
Hi. I’m sort of in the same boat as you but worse (I had my interview in November 2009) – I had two stints in therapy while I was in a bad relationship, and I was on meds (I also had a stupid incident of taking a couple extra pills for attention, but it was an isolated incident during the breakup and not meant to do anything but cause drama – very embarrassing).
However, I have been off meds and therapy for about four years, and thriving. But I am worried that based on therapy alone Peace Corps will reject me. They sent me my initial mental health forms, which I have had filled out by my former therapist, and I wrote a statement regarding that specific incident and I submitted those.
They apparently will not send any other forms until they’ve decided if I can proceed beyond this point. I’m trying to be optimistic, but I’ve heard so many stories of applicants being rejected just for having even a tiny bit of counseling, that it’s hard to be too upbeat about it. Plus, if I appeal, what “new information” can I submit?
April 15th, 2010 at 1:32 am
On the other hand, I think there are many reasons why they have the strict health requirements.
Most volunteers are required to take anti-malaria medication, which can worsen depression or other conditions people have.
Also, many PCVs who have never been depressed, find themselves alone speaking a foreign language (not very well) and unable to make real friends in their community due to cultural and language barriers. Add on typical sicknesses, the heat, foods you don’t like, and some vols just crack. Many vols, I feel, get depressed and stressed. Add in homesickness and this can be dangerous. I also felt that many vols dealt with all these problems by self medicating (alcohol or smoking). If you Depression is not something you want to be dealing with where health care is not adequate.
My suggestion, do not lie on those forms. They are trying to keep you safe by not putting you in an area where you can’t get care. It’s not to say they will deny you the opportunity to serve, but you might not be able to serve in some areas due to isolation of the project or community, or lack of mental health care.
I have seen people lie on those forms. One girl said she’d never had problems (lied about fainting, or something) and sure enough, in training they gave her a shot and she fainted. She then revealed her medical history and said it was nothing, that it had happened many times before. They quickly sent her back to the states for catscans and such. SHE NEVER RETURNED. They don’t like people lying and the might catch you and send you home, with no warning more than 1 day or so.
I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you can serve a worthwhile stint without any serious issues.
July 9th, 2010 at 11:36 am
I don’t think you should be too concerned about this. I admitted on my application that I had an Axis I diagnosis of Major Depression for which I had received psychiatric care and medications several years earlier. Part of my medical clearance was three visits with a psychiatrist resulting in a report with recommendations. I submitted that report which recommended that I was fit for service, and did eventually receive medical clearance from PC. I served in Eastern Europe. My feeling is that my admission could have affected the country that I was assigned to, but I will never know for sure. I finished my service successfully and it was one of the best and strongest experiences of my life. Don’t let anything hold you back from trying!
August 10th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Hi, I want to join the peace corps. I am 18, I go to a community college i will transfer soon, but I want to join before I transfer. I was in girl scouts for 11 years, and I have done a lot of volunteer work towards getting the highest achievement in girl scout, for instance working at a mission for the homeless, home for the abused, a senior center, and a foster care center. Aside from girl scouts I have helped out at a local temple, mountain bike races, and also I was president of a club in high school that gives to the make a wish foundation. I am a swim instructor over summer as well so i work very well with children and have a lot of patience. I was wondering if I am qualified to be in the peace corps?
September 1st, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Dear Nicole,
Because PC is so competitive, they really want candidates with a Bachelor’s, however, the sometimes do take applicants with only a high school degree. If you really want to be a PC volunteer, just apply! You may want to continue taking classes though because the entire process can take up to a year.
Good luck!