Preparing for possible mental illness

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to him about OCD, how it might feel, and what role genetics plays. Talk to him about how you take care of yourself and help him brainstorm things he can do if he starts to feel off (whether it's OCD or depression or anything else). Normalize talking about mental health.

THIS. Normalize that mental illness isn't the end of the world and that help is available and effective.

Unfortunately it would be life-altering for him (the school has medical requirements), which is why DH and I are concerned he might try to hide it. But you're right, we need to do a better job of normalizing it for him anyway.

OP are you the one with OCD/hoarding or is that someone else commenting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You think the university would have a medical requirement that would preclude your child from attending with ocd? no, that university does not exist.

ocd sucks, but it doesn't involve psychosis. seems to me the obvious thing to do here would be to share your experience with the condition with your child, alert them to the possibility that they may develop it, and let them know there is effective treatment and how they can access that if they develop symptoms.

I would guess service academy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to him about OCD, how it might feel, and what role genetics plays. Talk to him about how you take care of yourself and help him brainstorm things he can do if he starts to feel off (whether it's OCD or depression or anything else). Normalize talking about mental health.

THIS. Normalize that mental illness isn't the end of the world and that help is available and effective.

Unfortunately it would be life-altering for him (the school has medical requirements), which is why DH and I are concerned he might try to hide it. But you're right, we need to do a better job of normalizing it for him anyway.

OP are you the one with OCD/hoarding or is that someone else commenting?

I have OCD but no hoarding background. Which of course means I have to be very careful about "worrying" about this, yes. Not there, though. This is responsible fact-finding, and DH is on-board.

- OP

[Anonymous]

At military academies, are you allowed to have a therapist? If so, could be worth getting regular sessions with a practitioner who could also keep an eye out and be a resource.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You think the university would have a medical requirement that would preclude your child from attending with ocd? no, that university does not exist.

ocd sucks, but it doesn't involve psychosis. seems to me the obvious thing to do here would be to share your experience with the condition with your child, alert them to the possibility that they may develop it, and let them know there is effective treatment and how they can access that if they develop symptoms.

It can, however, involve lack of insight (a patient's awareness of his or her symptoms).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure to have him sign paperwork when he turns 18 so you have medical decision making ability. I did that for my DS with a mental illness.

I actually don't think this is possible in his situation, but I'll look into it.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to him about OCD, how it might feel, and what role genetics plays. Talk to him about how you take care of yourself and help him brainstorm things he can do if he starts to feel off (whether it's OCD or depression or anything else). Normalize talking about mental health.

THIS. Normalize that mental illness isn't the end of the world and that help is available and effective.

Unfortunately it would be life-altering for him (the school has medical requirements), which is why DH and I are concerned he might try to hide it. But you're right, we need to do a better job of normalizing it for him anyway.

OP are you the one with OCD/hoarding or is that someone else commenting?

I have OCD but no hoarding background. Which of course means I have to be very careful about "worrying" about this, yes. Not there, though. This is responsible fact-finding, and DH is on-board.

- OP

I think this is part of your OCD, OP..worrying about this. While he may develop OCD over time, likely not in his 4 yrs at college. If he is at a service academy, he will be too busy and occupied. Plus plenty of people in military have OCD tendencies anyhow

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At military academies, are you allowed to have a therapist? If so, could be worth getting regular sessions with a practitioner who could also keep an eye out and be a resource.

I would say no. You would get removed/medically disqualified if you develop and were diagnosed with a mental illness at an academy. A therapist for grief because your dad died, sure. A therapist bc your are hearing voices, no.

[Anonymous]

Don’t borrow worry from the future. Take it as it comes.

[Anonymous]

Someone I knew in college was obsessed with cleanliness. Can ocd manifest as hoarding or cleanliness? They were military and used to go around and berate and yell at people for not being up to their standard. They joined the military specifically for the uniforms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At military academies, are you allowed to have a therapist? If so, could be worth getting regular sessions with a practitioner who could also keep an eye out and be a resource.

I would say no. You would get removed/medically disqualified if you develop and were diagnosed with a mental illness at an academy. A therapist for grief because your dad died, sure. A therapist bc your are hearing voices, no.

IMHO the military of all places should allow access to qualified mental health practitioners. Everyone can improve their mental health fitness just like physical fitness. It's enormous to process being trained to kill people if given the order to do so.

I understand not wanting to have vulnerable people on active duty who would be more likely to break under pressure. Is there also fear that deep introspection could be counter to the mission?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to him about OCD, how it might feel, and what role genetics plays. Talk to him about how you take care of yourself and help him brainstorm things he can do if he starts to feel off (whether it's OCD or depression or anything else). Normalize talking about mental health.

THIS. Normalize that mental illness isn't the end of the world and that help is available and effective.

Unfortunately it would be life-altering for him (the school has medical requirements), which is why DH and I are concerned he might try to hide it. But you're right, we need to do a better job of normalizing it for him anyway.

OP are you the one with OCD/hoarding or is that someone else commenting?

I have OCD but no hoarding background. Which of course means I have to be very careful about "worrying" about this, yes. Not there, though. This is responsible fact-finding, and DH is on-board.

- OP

I think this is part of your OCD, OP..worrying about this. While he may develop OCD over time, likely not in his 4 yrs at college. If he is at a service academy, he will be too busy and occupied. Plus plenty of people in military have OCD tendencies anyhow

No, DH brought it up. I told him I obviously couldn't ruminate about it, but I'd mull it over for a few days. I decided asking DCUM wad healthier than mulling. Get in, get good answers, get out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At military academies, are you allowed to have a therapist? If so, could be worth getting regular sessions with a practitioner who could also keep an eye out and be a resource.

I would say no. You would get removed/medically disqualified if you develop and were diagnosed with a mental illness at an academy. A therapist for grief because your dad died, sure. A therapist bc your are hearing voices, no.

IMHO the military of all places should allow access to qualified mental health practitioners. Everyone can improve their mental health fitness just like physical fitness. It's enormous to process being trained to kill people if given the order to do so.

I understand not wanting to have vulnerable people on active duty who would be more likely to break under pressure. Is there also fear that deep introspection could be counter to the mission?

And military does have access to qualified mental health professionals, but once they are already in. They aren’t taking anyone in with an existing newly diagnosed mental illness. If you are at a service academy, until you are done and commissioned, a mental illness diagnosis while at an academy would likely send you home.

[Anonymous]

You’ve gotten good advice, but I would also warm you not to let this idea take root in your mind.

Open door policy. And keep an eye on things, as best you can. Visit him.

He likely will be just fine and have a fun time!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’ve gotten good advice, but I would also warm you not to let this idea take root in your mind.

Open door policy. And keep an eye on things, as best you can. Visit him.

He likely will be just fine and have a fun time!!

I'm not sure fun is exactly the right word. But yes, I'm being very cautious about ruminating. Hadn't actually thought about this until it floated to the top of recent posts, so I appreciate the warning.