past mental health issue

[grammarly 1]

Has anyone had experience explaining a mental health issue that resulted in two nights in the hospital for observation? The medical summary notes the dates of the hospitalization. Periodically in the three+ years since, the summary notes that the patient is not on medication, functions normally, and that the spouse confirmed that the patient shows no sign of depression. In fact, the patient was promoted three times in two years at work and volunteers regularly at poverty and homelessness charities. At the time of the hospitalization, my wife was in an abusive relationship.

 

My wife will see the GP the day before the medical exam to request a note confirming that the patient does not pose a risk to self or others. My wife requested the notes from the hospital which say that the patient didn't need to have been admitted in the first place. The discharge notes say that the patient posed no risk of harm to self or others. We may not have the hospital notes until shortly after the medical exam, which is two weeks before the embassy interview. As many have noted, obtaining records and documentation from one's GP is a frustrating and tedious process.

 

I would be grateful for any advice on how to handle this situation. As you may imagine, it's very stressful; everything else in her application is very positive. Thanks.

Edited September 22, 2018 by grammarly

[proudtobabritgirl 126]

Hi, yes i have experience of this. 

All you can do is provide the GP letter and the patient summary. It would definitely help if in the letter from the GP, they explain what happened. As in, what was the outcome (medication prescribed, is the condition ongoing, when did the patient last report to the GP of low mood etc) As much information as you can get from the GP would help. My GP charged me £30 to have this letter, I also had to attend an assessment appointment with him so that he could confirm that I am now ok and have dealt with the issue. 

 

During the medical, they will definitely probe into it. The way in which the doctor did it with me, is he would ask friendly questions about the USA and where I would be moving too and then he would slip questions in about how i was currently feeling. E.g. when was the last time you felt suicidal? On a scale of 1 to 10 how do you feel? ETC. Baring in mind I have not been my GP or reported anything in 10 years, I was still asked all of those awkward questions. Its not great, but at the end of the day they need to ensure that you will be of no danger to yourself or others. 

 

I've not heard of anyone being declined for mental health. Being sectioned doesn't imply that you are insane. It just means, that you needed to feel safe and comfortable with people around you who were trained to help. From the vibes i got from the doctor at Knightsbridge, they would have preferred me to be on medication, but medication never worked for me. I chose to have therapy and I had receipt stubs to prove that that was the route i went down to my recovery. And as i said before, i have had no incidents in the past 10 years. The one i had 10 years ago was pretty bad. But all was ok as far as I know. 

[LeesaMarie 206]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/679750-27th-july-2018-medical-review-knightsbridge-mental-health/

[grammarly 1]

5 hours ago, proudtobabritgirl said:

 

 

Thanks for responding. I'm so glad to hear that you were treated well at your appointment and that you earned - and I do mean earned - your visa. I'm excited about sharing your experience with my wife. Thanks again!

[proudtobabritgirl 126]

22 minutes ago, grammarly said:

Thanks for responding. I'm so glad to hear that you were treated well at your appointment and that you earned - and I do mean earned - your visa. I'm excited about sharing your experience with my wife. Thanks again!

You are very welcome! 

I don't have my visa yet, I have my interview end of October! But its all good! 

[grammarly 1]

2 hours ago, proudtobabritgirl said:

You are very welcome! 

I don't have my visa yet, I have my interview end of October! But its all good! 

Good Luck! You passed the medical, and I've read that the interview is very straightforward. I'm rooting for you!

[proudtobabritgirl 126]

11 minutes ago, grammarly said:

Good Luck! You passed the medical, and I've read that the interview is very straightforward. I'm rooting for you!

Thanks so much! 

[DktrFaustus 38]

On 9/22/2018 at 9:25 AM, proudtobabritgirl said:

Hi, yes i have experience of this. 

All you can do is provide the GP letter and the patient summary. It would definitely help if in the letter from the GP, they explain what happened. As in, what was the outcome (medication prescribed, is the condition ongoing, when did the patient last report to the GP of low mood etc) As much information as you can get from the GP would help. My GP charged me £30 to have this letter, I also had to attend an assessment appointment with him so that he could confirm that I am now ok and have dealt with the issue. 

 

During the medical, they will definitely probe into it. The way in which the doctor did it with me, is he would ask friendly questions about the USA and where I would be moving too and then he would slip questions in about how i was currently feeling. E.g. when was the last time you felt suicidal? On a scale of 1 to 10 how do you feel? ETC. Baring in mind I have not been my GP or reported anything in 10 years, I was still asked all of those awkward questions. Its not great, but at the end of the day they need to ensure that you will be of no danger to yourself or others. 

 

I've not heard of anyone being declined for mental health. Being sectioned doesn't imply that you are insane. It just means, that you needed to feel safe and comfortable with people around you who were trained to help. From the vibes i got from the doctor at Knightsbridge, they would have preferred me to be on medication, but medication never worked for me. I chose to have therapy and I had receipt stubs to prove that that was the route i went down to my recovery. And as i said before, i have had no incidents in the past 10 years. The one i had 10 years ago was pretty bad. But all was ok as far as I know. 

 

This is a very reassuring post. I've had a number of GP visits in the past few years expressing depressive moods and anxiety. Nothing that involved hospitalisation/harm to myself or others/suicidal thoughts or an attempt, but nonetheless it had me worried about what I may be asked.

[proudtobabritgirl 126]

2 minutes ago, DktrFaustus said:

 

This is a very reassuring post. I've had a number of GP visits in the past few years expressing depressive moods and anxiety. Nothing that involved hospitalisation/harm to myself or others/suicidal thoughts or an attempt, but nonetheless it had me worried about what I may be asked.

You will be absolutely fine! Low mood/anxiety is so common and it's definitely not a reason for denial. 

I have had all of the above in the past. Aslong as you are open and honest about it and have the proof to show that you are not a danger to yourself or others at this point in time and in the future, then it's all good! (Obviously it's hard to prove In the future, but a letter from a GP is as much as you can do)

Good luck in your visa journey! 

[DktrFaustus 38]

Just now, proudtobabritgirl said:

You will be absolutely fine! Low mood/anxiety is so common and it's definitely not a reason for denial. 

I have had all of the above in the past. Aslong as you are open and honest about it and have the proof to show that you are not a danger to yourself or others at this point in time and in the future, then it's all good! (Obviously it's hard to prove In the future, but a letter from a GP is as much as you can do)

Good luck in your visa journey! 

 

Thank you. We are getting close now. I just want to move on and be with my partner and we can finally enjoy the rest of our lives together!

[proudtobabritgirl 126]

Just now, DktrFaustus said:

 

Thank you. We are getting close now. I just want to move on and be with my partner and we can finally enjoy the rest of our lives together!

I know the feeling! The next 6/7 weeks, until it's all over and I fly out to lax, is going to feel like the longest wait ever haha. 

[DktrFaustus 38]

Just now, proudtobabritgirl said:

I know the feeling! The next 6/7 weeks, until it's all over and I fly out to lax, is going to feel like the longest wait ever haha. 

 

I'm just reading a lot of books, getting on with things in work and going to the gym a lot until I'm ready to go. Best of luck to you, and we're all rooting for you. This time will fly by for you, and I look forward to seeing your post about finally getting accepted!

[proudtobabritgirl 126]

53 minutes ago, DktrFaustus said:

 

I'm just reading a lot of books, getting on with things in work and going to the gym a lot until I'm ready to go. Best of luck to you, and we're all rooting for you. This time will fly by for you, and I look forward to seeing your post about finally getting accepted!

Thanks so much for the support. The same to you! Me too, I'm working extra shifts. Hopefully it will go fast. 

[grammarly 1]

I'm delighted to report that my wife passed the medical! The doctor was compassionate. She asked about the situation, and my wife told her about the extreme stressors involved. Because my wife had the letter from the GP,  the medical summary, and a letter from the psychiatrist who discharged her, the embassy doctor was able to approve her on the spot; without any one of those, it would have been a different story. My wife said that everyone she interacted with was friendly, compassionate, and professional.

 

Thanks for your kind words, and all the best to everyone going through this process.

[chlosicles 65]

5 hours ago, grammarly said:

I'm delighted to report that my wife passed the medical! The doctor was compassionate. She asked about the situation, and my wife told her about the extreme stressors involved. Because my wife had the letter from the GP,  the medical summary, and a letter from the psychiatrist who discharged her, the embassy doctor was able to approve her on the spot; without any one of those, it would have been a different story. My wife said that everyone she interacted with was friendly, compassionate, and professional.

 

Thanks for your kind words, and all the best to everyone going through this process.

Congratulations!!

 

Also, thank you, you've given me hope as someone who also suffered from past mental health issues. I never got hospitilized, but it's comforting to know that with my medical summary and a letter from my doctor I should be able to pass the medical too