Just had medical with civil surgeon

[Lovetoteach 53]

Well I finally had my medical this evening and one of the question asked was if I had a mental defect. i said no but what does that actually mean ? I have mild depression and have suffered from PTSD (after the abuse) which I even volunteered but she said everything was ok. No history asked nothing. I was only in there 5 mins. Now I'm wondering if mild depression is a mental defect but she didn't say anything.

Any advice?

Edited August 29, 2007 by shona

[Jasman0717 9]

Good question, it will be interesting to see what kind of answers you get. Mental illness maybe

[vnoe 0]

what a weird question to ask??? no not you...the Dr.

I wouldn't say what you have/had is a defect. I'm sure it is fine....don't worry.

[Lovetoteach 53]

The question was on the form I 693 and she just asked them. She approved the medical. I must say it was a lot easier than the one I had to do for the K1 in London. She didn't write anything under remarks apart from my blood pressure ( which was a little high)and the fact I'd had a BCG. She gave me a complete copy of the medical forms anyway so I could see what had been written.

Edited August 29, 2007 by shona

[CB82 0]

I was asked at my medical if I had a mental defect too. I said no. He asked me if I had two feet, two hands, two ears, two eyes and a nose. I said yes. Then they went on to take my blood and do the tb skin test. I laughed when i told my husband what the doctor asked, but it seems standard.

Edited August 29, 2007 by CB82

[island_princess 2]

it's psychological.

Well I finally had my medical this evening and one of the question asked was if I had a mental defect. i said no but what does that actually mean ? I have mild depression and have suffered from PTSD (after the abuse) which I even volunteered but she said everything was ok. No history asked nothing. I was only in there 5 mins. Now I'm wondering if mild depression is a mental defect but she didn't say anything.

Any advice?

[Lovetoteach 53]

it's psychological.

Well I finally had my medical this evening and one of the question asked was if I had a mental defect. i said no but what does that actually mean ? I have mild depression and have suffered from PTSD (after the abuse) which I even volunteered but she said everything was ok. No history asked nothing. I was only in there 5 mins. Now I'm wondering if mild depression is a mental defect but she didn't say anything.

Any advice?

Can you explain further what you mean by pyschological.

thanks

[island_princess 2]

They are the same.

Read this site.

it's psychological.

Well I finally had my medical this evening and one of the question asked was if I had a mental defect. i said no but what does that actually mean ? I have mild depression and have suffered from PTSD (after the abuse) which I even volunteered but she said everything was ok. No history asked nothing. I was only in there 5 mins. Now I'm wondering if mild depression is a mental defect but she didn't say anything.

Any advice?

Can you explain further what you mean by pyschological.

thanks

[Lovetoteach 53]

So I should have said "yes" even though the doctor said it wasn't a problem.

Edited August 29, 2007 by shona

[kitkat1 5]

So I should have said "yes" even though the doctor said it wasn't a problem.

Forget about it. There are certain visa ineligiblities regarding mental health. Your situation did not apply. Nothing to worry about.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/ineligib...ities_1364.html

Classes of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visas

(1) Health-related grounds.-

(A) In general.-Any alien-

(i) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to have a communicable disease of public health significance, which shall include infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome,

(ii) except as provided in subparagraph © who seeks admission as an immigrant, or who seeks adjustment of status to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and who has failed to present documentation of having received vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases, which shall include at least the following diseases: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, influenza type B and hepatitis B, and any other vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices,

(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,(iv) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to be a drug abuser or addict, is inadmissible.

[Lovetoteach 53]

I finally got a reply from attorney with regards to the "mental defect " question. This is what he said

"Mental defect is a fluid term. It usually refers to persons who have a mental illness or disorder. Usually such persons have been placed in a mental institution to protect themselves and others.

As I mentioned before, depression in itself is not a mental defect, illness, or disorder as understood under immigration law."

Shona

[vnoe 0]

........and there we go!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

I had to get a letter from my son's pediatrican about his ADHD. The civil surgeon said that this was necessary and that it needed to be included with the medical.

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

This might prove helpful.

Some of what I picked out includes:

212 "(a) CLASSES OF EXCLUDABLE ALIENS.- Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the following describes classes of excludable aliens who are ineligible to receive visas and who shall be excluded from admission into the United States:

"(1) HEALTH-RELATED GROUNDS.--

"(A) IN GENERAL.-- Any alien--

"(i) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to have a communicable disease of public health significance,

"(ii) 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 lead to other harmful behavior,

"(iii) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to be a drug abuser or addict, is excludable."

2. Mental Conditions

Under the old law, aliens who were mentally retarded, insane, had one or more attacks of insanity, were afflicted with psychopathic personality, sexual deviation, or mental defect, or who were narcotic drug addicts or chronic alcoholics were ineligible for admission or for adjustment of status to a permanent resident. As amended, the Immigration and Nationality Act no longer lists specific physical or mental conditions that automatically exclude an alien but instead requires a determination of whether an alien has a physical or mental disorder and associated behavior that has posed or is likely to pose a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others.

I think, from reading it before and skimming it again just now, they are only concerned with any conditions that might render you a threat to yourself or other people, or result in harmful behavior to you or someone else. This is all from the Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And, from what I understand, the Civil Surgeons can gain a lot from simply talking to you. If they signed off on the report, and made no indication that they were unhappy, concerned or required/suggested follow-up with your own doctor, then I would say you are fine.

The report (technical instructions) is 35 pages if you want to read it.

Hope that helps

Annie