[stoner 06]

First off Im 19. Just got my ged last week. I really want to join the army right now but I know my condition is to bad for it this second.
The last visit to the doctor she asked me about a therapist, I said o.k.
Its been 3 months, still nothing. I want to switch to a doctor that can give me something now that wont take long to kick in. Ive felt like this since 8th grade.This is the maine reason I dropped out. Extreme shakiness sometimes but am always feeling it at least a little. I would love some help. Any questions, just ask.

Oh, If anybody can refer me, cool.

[stoner 06]

Anybody??/

[Cats Meow]

My advice? You won't like it, but learn to live with it, you have for a long time anyway, I believe drugs should be the last resort, there are things you can do to reduce your anxiety. The Army doesn't want people on drugs (any drug dependency is disqualifying, and any drug history is potentially disqualifying), or who have mental issues, so make a choice, go the drug route or enlist and learn to live with it, boot camp will probably cure you of these issues!
I guess spelling isn't a required to pass a GED (sorry, I had to say that), um, the Army does basic intelligence testing, you will have to qualify with minimum scores before they'll accept you for a recruit.
-Just trying to help.
Good luck

[Robert_325]

Stoner .... It's not a matter of having no compassion for your problem but Cats is correct. You can't take xanax and get handed an AK-47 set to fully automatic. The army can't do that. You've got to deal with the anxiety and hope that things will work themselves out as you learn to better deal with your emotions or go see a dr and forget the army. But I don't think the two will work well together. Good luck and God bless.

[Eddie489]

Stoner - First, congrats on getting your GED. Secondly I would have to agree about joining the Army or seeing a doctor about your anxiety/panic disorder. I know how hard it is to deal with constant anxiety and you don't feel like it will go away or get better. I've had anxiety throughout my life and I've taken so many different medications to deal with it that it has made it extremely difficult to live with out them. I would recommend that you avoid medications as much as possible and look into different techniques to cope with the anxiety and panic like meditation, exercise, diet, an so forth. I've been experimenting with some of them and it has really helped me to relieve a lot of anxiety and tension the last few years. It's definitely healthier in the long run and you would still be able join the Army. Also I believe that the army could help you deal with the anxiety and turn it in to something positive. Just remember that there are always other options than medication to help with the anxiety. Good Luck!!!

[Psyched]

Stoner,
I guess everyone is of the same consensus. Sometimes being in the military can cause people to have psych problems so they will surely pick up on your anxiety/panic disorder. I guess I'm biased but I'd advise you to stick with the meds or else at least speak to your therapist about other options if you don't think the current ones are working. It's noble of you to want to enlist, but you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. Good luck and God bless. Take time to let us know how you're doing.

[learning_to_be_free]

find a therapist that spelializes in anxiety. They can help with simple techniques that really do help, even though they may seem stupid and pointless when presented to you. If you give these techniques a try you will find that several have a profound effect on your anxiety. Meds, especially benzos of any kind, should always be a last resort! and only used for short periods. They will eventually become less effective and by then you WILL be dependant on them. In the end meds make the anxiety worse because when you try to taper or just become tolerant to a dose you will experience w/d syptoms. Taking an anti-anxiety med(benzo-type) for life isnt realalistic you will become tolerant to all of them. Then you will experience worse anxiety than before you started the meds. There is a condition called tolerance w/d where when you become tolerant to the med you experience w/d you dont even have to be trying to taper down it just happens. You will have to take more and more to the point where no dose will be high enough. Your long and short term memory will start to deteriorate. Then your stuck with worse anxiety than you have ever experienced and no amount of pills will help so you will just have to deal. Its a horrible situation to put yourself in especially at such a young age. I have dealt with severe anxiety my whole life. I wasnt given alot of options when I went to get help for my condition at an even younger age than you. I have now been trying anything suggested to me by people on this forum and my therapist to help with my anxiety that doesnt involve meds. I experience anxiety everyday that severely affects my life and my families life. I am on xanax now after being perscibed every benzo out there but the xanax isnt enough and never will be. I still have daily delbiliating anxiety. I will have to find ways to lessen my anxiety w/o pills because at this point they are just about worthless for my anxiety except that they keep me from having panic attacks and experienceing dangerous w/d.

[stoner 06]

Thanks for the advice everyone. What you all say does make sence. Of course its easeir said than done. I will try the diet and stuff see how it goes, but soon I will have to see my doc.

Trust me I had a long military career and they are STRICT about drugs. If you are taking meds you probably will not be allowed in. The recruiter will send you to MEPS for a very complete physical exam and they will require you to tell them about any medical, including psychological conditon and provide medical records. If you use drugs illegally in the military you get a very express ticket out the door. Feel free to read my story at (Veteran Vicodin Addict).

Best of luck and I hope your issues are resolved. There is no greater love of country than serving in the armed forces. I hope and pray you get that opportunity !!

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

Trust me I had a long military career and they are STRICT about drugs. If you are taking meds you probably will not be allowed in. The recruiter will send you to MEPS for a very complete physical exam and they will require you to tell them about any medical, including psychological conditon and provide medical records. If you use drugs illegally in the military you get a very express ticket out the door. Feel free to read my story at (Veteran Vicodin Addict).

Best of luck and I hope your issues are resolved. There is no greater love of country than serving in the armed forces. I hope and pray you get that opportunity !!

You said it better than I did. The military can be a great career but especially for a young person who has not pursued an advanced education. He could be eligible for retirement at a young age. But you can't be taking anxiety meds and be running around carrying weapons. There are enough problems with people not on drugs without adding those with added problems. Good luck Stoner. Hope you work this out. God bless.

Just looking for an update, any word, have you seen a doctor yet?

Hope to hear from you soon.