Hello everyone, I’m new to this forum and I had a question to ask, and I’m curious if anyone else has had or is having this same issue.
I’ve been in the Air Force for about a year now, and just recently went to my mental health treatment facility on base after expression strong symptoms of schizophrenia. I’ve been slowly declining over the past 8 months, with the past 2 growing exponentially worse. The mental health clinic has told me they are examining the possibility of me being a schizophrenic, but had me take several lab tests to ensure there wasn’t another medical problem giving me these symptoms. My question is, if I am diagnosed with schizophrenia what is going to happen to me? Have any of you been diagnosed while in the air force or military in General? I’ve seen lots of posts about people wanting to join after being diagnosed or about people being diagnosed after their service, but I haven’t found any posts about being diagnosed while still serving. Any help would be very appreciated!
I would think they would give you a medical discharge, if you get any pay after you get out,I would doubt because it’s not like PTSD but I don’t know. However I think there is at least one post about someone being discharged for sz, that I thought I read. Best wishes ,do they have you on meds?
Not yet, my psychiatrist was waiting for my lab results to come back, which they did today. I have an appointment to speak with her on Thursday morning. I’m expecting to get some answers then, but this has been eating away at me for a couple weeks now so I figured I would ask here to get ahead of the curb and prepare myself for what I may end up going through.
I was just reading an old post @kindness was discharged. Search military discharge In search area., what symptoms are you having your conversation seems good.
I was diagnosed with schizophrenia while serving in the USN. I received an honorable discharge under medical conditions.
After your discharge you need to hire a lawyer who specializes in VA compensation. Your claim will state that the USAF either caused or aggravated your schizophrenia.
My claim was approved. I’m a 100%, service-connected disabled veteran, total and permanent.
I’ve estimated that 8 months ago was the beginning of my decline, but I didn’t notice anything was wrong until about 6 months ago. I started losing all ability to focus on my training, including forgetting to show up for mandatory formations. My memory grew steadily worse as I began forgetting what day it was and forgetting conversations I had with family and supervisors. Tests I took as a part of my training that I studied for many weeks at a time left me completely dumbfounded when I sat down to actually take the test. This leaded my training to last an extra 2 months. The friends I had while in training began noticing an issue when I would talk to them in that I wouldn’t be able to complete my sentences or when I would they would come out completely jumbled. They teased me for it, and at first it was fine, but it slowly chipped away at my self esteem and I started to isolate myself from everyone. Including family. I didn’t want anyone to think I was an idiot. I’ve been told those are negative symptoms of this disease. Over the next few months, I also lost all motivation. I didn’t want to go out, speak to anyone, and I even began to neglect my hygiene. A little over two months ago, I began hearing things. It started at whispers and knocking but steadily evolved into full blown voices that seem to do nothing but eat away at what is left of my self confidence. What tipped the iceberg for me was the day I started to see things that weren’t there. In my peripheral vision I have what seems to be a dark figure running full sprint towards me. Obviously I was terrified when it first happened. I realized it was a hallusciaton very quickly because whenever I turn my head the figure disappears. This is a fairly consistent occurrence for me now to the point that my heart still skips a beat but I’m quickly able to ground myself. However, thay hallucination has led me to this horrible sense that i am being hunted down. I cant shake that feeling at all. Especially when I’m home alone. The voices and knocks that I hear play into my paranoia to the point that I lock myself in my bedroom so nothing can hurt me. What led me to seek help was a fight with my wife about two weeks ago. We were just watching tv when we began talking normally. After about a minute she was yelling, and I was very confused. She then told me I was talking to myself and had been trying to get my attention. I swore up and down that we were talking and she insisted we weren’t. An argument followed with her saying I need to find help soon. I agreed though reluctant at first. Sense then I am very happy that we had that fight because I likely would have continued to go on as if nothing were wrong. That night we talked about my symptoms and what she had noticed. I talked to my mother on the phone the next day and she told my that my biological father (dead since I was 2) had schizophrenia. Called mental health as soon as I got off the phone with her. @5713
I am an Air Force Nurse Corp veteran. I would suggest that you see a psychiatrist as soon as possible either an Air Force psychiatrist or a civilian psychiatrist and get diagnosed. Once a psychiatrist makes a diagnosis, they can either retain you in the military, or medically, and honorably discharge you based upon your diagnosis. It all depends upon your diagnosis. That’s why it’s so important to see a psychiatrist because they are the ones who diagnose.
If you are diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, either bipolar 1, schizophrenia or schizoaffective, they will prescribe medications, and medically and honorably discharge you from the military. You will then be eligible to apply for VA compensation monetary benefits which can be substantial. Once you get your diagnosis and are on medications, call the American Legion for help applying for benefits.
Good luck!
One thing is that if you are diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, either bipolar I, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective, the military won’t let you stay enlisted.
I work on an army reserve base in an office building. I couldn’t see a schizophrenic doing what those workers do. I think that combat would be our of the question, period.
If you’re lucky enough for the meds to bring you back mentally, which I feel I’ve been in fortunate, and have returned mentally. However the side effects cripple my body. And the amount of sleep we need to operate is not acceptable to the military.
IDK. These soldiers I work around can be there one day and then the next day they’re gone because they’re shipped across the country or even to different countries. It would seem that a schizophrenic would have a hard time with that, not to mention sitting at a computer all day and being called to meetings without notice. And socializing would be hard.
@5713@77nick77 A big issue I’ve been having with my job is my lack of focus that leads to a lot of criticism from my coworkers and supervisors. The negativity and hurtful comments seem to cripple me and make it even harder to work.
Then getting a medical discharge might be a blessing in disguise. I’ve worked pretty steadily albeit mostly part time for the past 35 years. There were gaps in my employment some lasting more than a year. If you get discharged you can work on your problems and maybe get a job later, once you’re stabilized on medication.
Maybe you could take a leave of absence until you get discharged I’d talk to the doctor. Just for a little incouragment after I got on meds I had a different job and back to work in About 4 months. I really kinda faked it’s work for awhile ,but there is hope for recovery. Doing well now.
I was diagnosed on active duty. You want to go through the IDES process. It is initiated via a medical board. Aim for medical retirement and you will get your VA rating as well.
I was in the US Navy and my Chief tried to force me to go to a psychiatrist. I had lied about being bipolar, so I didn’t want to go. Heck I thought I could be a Navy SEAL. I was pretty delusional. I eventually tried to kill myself and a doctor told me they changed the rule because of me to where they can force you to see a psychiatrist.
Yeah people can be pretty cruel. All you can really do is show up on time and take meds as prescribed. It’s going to be a long road, longer if you don’t comply with the docs. I wish you the best I really want to hear updates from you. I’m rooting for you @LJMDGA.