St. Luke's-Clinical Depression

[TnJ 131]

I am wondering if anyone has gone through St. Luke's with a diagnosis of acute or chronic depression successfully and can share their stories. I understand that psych. evaluation can be done at the initial medical exam. I am also aware of the separate examination if any further directive is given from the evaluation. One question is how long can this examination take or delay the time between medical and interview? Another question is would this really be a problem if there is no history of self-inflicted harm or harm done to others? The instructions for St. Luke's indicate providing pertinent medical background information so I assume a letter from the psychiatrist and/or prescription would suffice?

[Worried2012 1]

I am wondering if anyone has gone through St. Luke's with a diagnosis of acute or chronic depression successfully and can share their stories. I understand that psych. evaluation can be done at the initial medical exam. I am also aware of the separate examination if any further directive is given from the evaluation. One question is how long can this examination take or delay the time between medical and interview? Another question is would this really be a problem if there is no history of self-inflicted harm or harm done to others? The instructions for St. Luke's indicate providing pertinent medical background information so I assume a letter from the psychiatrist and/or prescription would suffice?

in any disease (major or priority- pls examine the new medical form minus HIV) required for general surgeon's exam they always want that the beneficiary was/is healed during the time of med exam... so if that person has no records of recurrence then i think its ok but in case you cannot do away of it - during the interview in the USEMB you have to show a health insurance (this is i think for minor or other not listed diseases) that will cover his expenses in the usa..but i think this is a neurological stuff so this is different from the other diseases...

Edited May 7, 2012 by Worried2012

[TnJ 131]

in any disease (major or priority- pls examine the new medical form minus HIV) required for general surgeon's exam they always want that the beneficiary was/is healed during the time of med exam... so if that person has no records of recurrence then i think its ok but in case you cannot do away of it - during the interview in the USEMB you have to show a health insurance (this is i think for minor or other not listed diseases) that will cover his expenses in the usa..but i think this is a neurological stuff so this is different from the other diseases...

Thanks, I get what you are saying, but you are ahead of yourself in my questioning. My questions are specific to the St. Luke's medical examination at the time of the K-1 interview. The procedures, experiences, and outcomes are what I am looking for here. I am not aware of anyone needing to provide proof of health insurance at the embassy due to having depression. In fact, the questioning and examination is done prior to the interview so that the beneficiary is cleared medically before receiving a visa. What you are saying possibly applies to the AOS stage. I understand that any medical condition that needs attention will be covered by my insurance at the time of AOS. That will be done regardless. Yes, depression is a behavioral/mental disorder, not a physical disorder. My questions are mainly referring to experiences at St. Luke's in regard to the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 212(A)(iii)(I) and (II).

(iii) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Attorney General)-

(I) to have a physical or mental disorder and behavior associated with the disorder that may pose, or has posed, a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others, or

(II) to have had a physical or mental disorder and a history of behavior associated with the disorder, which behavior has posed a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others and which behavior is likely to recur or to lead to other harmful behavior, or

Edited May 7, 2012 by ToddnJessa

[Worried2012 1]

Thanks, I get what you are saying, but you are ahead of yourself in my questioning. My questions are specific to the St. Luke's medical examination at the time of the K-1 interview. The procedures, experiences, and outcomes are what I am looking for here. I am not aware of anyone needing to provide proof of health insurance at the embassy due to having depression. In fact, the questioning and examination is done prior to the interview so that the beneficiary is cleared medically before receiving a visa. What you are saying possibly applies to the AOS stage. I understand that any medical condition that needs attention will be covered by my insurance at the time of AOS. That will be done regardless. Yes, depression is a behavioral/mental disorder, not a physical disorder. My questions are mainly referring to experiences at St. Luke's in regard to the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 212(A)(iii)(I) and (II).

not the aos- this is med exam then visa interview ( as what i said health insurance that could be used once the interviewee is in the usa for certain diseases) - med exam takes a short while here is the flow chart: http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml and i hope they can overlook that otherwise you need to go back and forth until it will be in an acceptable state- talk to the doctor for consideration...austistic can even fly but well that was a different case a us citizen...am sorry i cannot help further

[TnJ 131]

Section 212(a)(1)(A)(iii) of the Act applies to individuals who have a physical or mental disorder and harmful behavior associated with that disorder. This ground is further divided into two subcategories:

· Current physical or mental disorders, with harmful behavior associated with that disorder

· Past physical or mental disorders, with associated harmful behavior that is likely to recur or lead to other harmful behavior. Harmful behavior is defined as behavior that may pose, or has posed, a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others.

Mental retardation no longer renders an applicant inadmissible on medical grounds, unless the civil surgeon or panel physician determines that the applicant is also exhibiting, or has exhibited, associated harmful behavior.

http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-16032/0-0-0-16037.html

I get what you are saying, and thanks. This is a case of possible depression though. Nothing more, and nothing less. If it is depression, there is no history of harm to self or others, no institutionalization, and it might be acute in nature for all I know. The nature is irrelevant at this point. I am asking 3 specific questions:

One question is how long can this examination take or delay the time between medical and interview? Another question is would this really be a problem if there is no history of self-inflicted harm or harm done to others? The instructions for St. Luke's indicate providing pertinent medical background information so I assume a letter from the psychiatrist and/or prescription would suffice?

. Thanks for the workflow, but I have already studied it. It doesn't provide any details in regard to my questions. Edited May 7, 2012 by ToddnJessa

[TnJ 131]

Well, I got some good information in the Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians so that answers my most important question regarding mental illness and the law. However, it would still be great to hear of anyone's experience in relation to this.

[Tahoma 2,292]

One question is how long can this examination take or delay the time between medical and interview?

Another question is would this really be a problem if there is no history of self-inflicted harm or harm done to others?

The instructions for St. Luke's indicate providing pertinent medical background information so I assume a letter from the psychiatrist and/or prescription would suffice?

Based upon the answers given at the St. Lukes medical, a history of depression can result in the patient being required to return to St. Lukes for a psychiatric evaluation. A psych evaluation is usually scheduled within a week of the medical, it costs 1000Php, it usually takes an hour or less, and it does not usually delay the visa process unless the Embassy interview is scheduled too close to the medical.

At the psych evaluation, the doctor will determine whether the person needs a psychological test. The psych test is usually scheduled about a week out, it takes place at a different location than St.Lukes, it will take up a good part of the day, it will cost 3000Php, and the results of the test will not be available to St. Lukes for two or three weeks. This delay will most likely impact the Embassy interview appointment.

I haven't heard of any visa problems resulting from depression where there's no history of self-inflicted harm or harm to others. However, any admission of illegal drug use will cause a visa denial. If she's using medication and her depression has stabilized, there should be no problem.

It's a good idea for her to take a letter from her psychiatrist and her prescription info to her St. Lukes medical and psych evaluation.

[TnJ 131]

Based upon the answers given at the St. Lukes medical, a history of depression can result in the patient being required to return to St. Lukes for a psychiatric evaluation. A psych evaluation is usually scheduled within a week of the medical, it costs 1000Php, it usually takes an hour or less, and it does not usually delay the visa process unless the Embassy interview is scheduled too close to the medical.

At the psych evaluation, the doctor will determine whether the person needs a psychological test. The psych test is usually scheduled about a week out, it takes place at a different location than St.Lukes, it will take up a good part of the day, it will cost 3000Php, and the results of the test will not be available to St. Lukes for two or three weeks. This delay will most likely impact the Embassy interview appointment.

I haven't heard of any visa problems resulting from depression where there's no history of self-inflicted harm or harm to others. However, any admission of illegal drug use will cause a visa denial. If she's using medication and her depression has stabilized, there should be no problem.

It's a good idea for her to take a letter from her psychiatrist and her prescription info to her St. Lukes medical and psych evaluation.

Thanks! That adds a great amount of clarity. My three greatest concerns were the perceptions of the panel physicians, the wording of the law, and time constraints/scheduling (if further testing was needed) of the medical. No worries on drug abuse though.

[Tahoma 2,292]

You're welcome po.

Best wishes for a smooth and speedy visa journey!