Previous self harm and medical

[Kelly&Travis 0]

I will have my medical coming up soon, and the only thing I am worried about is that I had a bout of serious depression once and the scars to show for it. I was really depressed 5 years ago (I was 18) and for a very brief period I was a "cutter" and I had one suicide attempt that I was hospitalized for. My doctor is willing to write a detailed letter which shows I was hospitalized very briefly, my cutting occurred over a very short period of time, that I was only on antidepressants for a few months following, and that I have been great every since.

I have read about one or two people that had self-harm scars and did alright, but I am really scared about the whole suicide thing. Will the doctor's letter and my problem-free history since then be enough to pass the medical? Does anyone have experience with this? (Can I tell the doctor it happened in high school and everyone is depressed in high school so it doesn't count? )

[unstrung 0]

When i did my medical the doctor spent quite a bit of time going over my scars as well. I think suicide attempt is what they are looking for. I just answered truthfully, said ya i was depressed a long time ago, got over that, no i never went to the hospital over it, never been treated for deep depression or any suicide attempts. Dunno if it'll be an issue during the interview though.

In your case the doctor getting you that letter is going to be very good as even if you do have a suicide attempt what they want to see is a doctor saw to it and fixed you up and now you wear a smile 24/7 basicly, so not at risk of throwing yourself off the golden gate bridge.

You should be fine, but be prepared to answer questions about it.

Edited January 5, 2009 by unstrung

[Carlawarla 1]

The letter from your doctor, combined with the length of time since the incidents would indicate that you are past this part of your life. I wouldn't worry too much about it. If the Dr. at the medical wishes another assessment, I'm afraid that's what you'll have to do, but again, I wouldn't worry about the outcome of the assessment. There have been a few others from Canada with similar things, and they received their visa.

Best of luck!

Have you checked out the Canada forum?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

[Kelly&Travis 0]

Thanks for the responses. I am seeing my regular doctor next week for vaccinations so I'm going to get my letter then and make sure she makes me sound very lovely and normal.