The full truth about mental health issues

[hamtaro 4]

I got my visa with no issues. I went through hell though in the run up to it. I received much conflicting information about whether I would be eligible. I had lots of people online doubt I was eligible. I went through extreme panic. I had the embassy helpline itself (the expensive one) tell me I needed a freaking hardship waiver. None of this was true.

I am diagnosed with a lifelong mental health issue which is caused by a brain disorder. I was raised by abusive parents (father's abuse, mother's fear of it causing her to turn a blind eye) who couldn't deal with it. I left home to marry an abusive and alcoholic man who couldn't deal with it. The doctors throughout my life didn't listen to me, they listened to my parents and ex husband. It's like I wasn't there. My medical records were therefore terrible, full of complaints of erractic, aggressive behaviour on my part. No mention at all of provocation or abuse. I left my ex-husband and since getting involved with my American husband I have had no outbursts of anger, no depression, no self harming. I have held down a steady job for 2 years.

It was my express intention to avoid USCIS seeing my medical records because a large bulk of it was hearsay from other people and the behaviours were in fact a result of abuse. I was convinced of this because having removed said people from my life the behaviours ceased 100%.

I have seen a visa lawyer and a private psych and if you feel you need similar help please PM me and I will pass on the details of those professionals who helped me.

This is a guide for others in a similar bad situation so they stop worrying. I didn't have any such thing. I said I would write about such a thing if I got through this. I got through this with flying colours.

First off if you have a mental disorder and you do not harm yourself or cause harm to others and you went to USA in the past and ticked "no" on visa waiver and ESTA you did NOT COMMIT MISREPRESENTATION. The guidelines for ESTA (and you can find them on the site) specifically state to only tick yes to this question if there is CURRENT harmful behaviour. So even though the question states simply "Do you have a mental disorder" and you ticked no, RELAX. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE CHARGED WITH MISREP IN THE PAST WHEN YOU DO YOUR FINAL VISA INTERVIEW.

Second off, on the question forms you send in at NVC there is a question which asks "Do you have or have you had a mental disorder which causes or may cause harm to self or others." It's confusing and can trip people. The correct way of interpreting this question is "Do you have or have you had a mental disorder which may cause harm in the future." In fact if you check the newer online application form used by Canada and other countries they have actually reworded this question to be explicit as to this fact. So RELAX. If you have had a condition which caused yourself to harm in the past, and you are confident you are stable now and will stay stable, relax. You can tick no.

If you have a medical history which is bad for reasons such of lack of diagnosis, poor treatment, wrong medication adminitered whatever and you feel it reflects terribly on you, here's how to avoid disclosing as much of it as possible. I'm not telling you to lie. Only tell the truth, but don't disclose anything you aren't asked. I have seen a lawyer about this. I came armed with my full history. The lawyer advised me that because a lot of the history was third party accounts that I could likely persuade my doctor of this and I could get help from them. Yep, the history looked bad. Here's what I did.

I got good character references from my boss and acquaintances. I gave them to my doctor. Still experiencing a little resistance I persuaded my mother to come see my GP and admit the past abuse in childhood. It was updated to my file. My doctor then became a lot more ameniable. They wrote me a great account for the visa medical. They mentioned my diagnoses, but not the hearsay and not the guesswork (what psychs had guessed I had pre final diagnosis. Some of it was bad. Some of it (personality disorders) would have meant ineligibility.)

I paid to see a private psych, I gave them my full history, I gave them details of my recovery having left my ex. I got them very much on my side. I got a SPARKLING good account from them to give to the doctors at the visa medical.

When I attended said medical I brought the GP's letter (It also said I had never been treated in inpatient psych care, voluntarily or otherwise - important if you can claim this too), the psych's letter, and the good character references from my boss and superiors, as well as tax returns for 2 years showing stable employmemt.

I was told at the medical they required no more information, that what I gave them was very helpful in their decision and that they were passing the results to the embassy.

At the embassy I was told I had been passed as "class B" - a managed mental disorder. I passed my interview and got my visa with no issues.

This is definitely what you need to hear if you are going through the terror I went through in the lead-up to getting this visa.

[TBoneTX 45,451]

Congratulations! Out of curiosity, are you the former member shirorisu?

[Darnell 8,478]

is this who I think it is ?

IF SO -

@#(*$(@*#($*(@#*$ing fantastic ! I'm so happy for you !!! See? Nothing like Japan, at all - and you were able to sluice through that f'ed up UK health system to get the results you need. I'm SO PROUD OF YOU !!!

#### all, you got the visa, please come to USA soonish.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

post containing personal attack has been removed

[hamtaro 4]

Yep, this was inenvitable wasn't it.

[LuvIllinois 1]

Congrats and it has eased my mind somewhat. I had my medical this morning and I had some past issues that have now been managed very well in the past few years. I had my GP write a note saying that I had past issues, what meds I was taking and that future prognosis was good. The doctor when finishing the medical said, "You shouldn't have any problems".

I'm just getting anxious since I still have 2 more months to wait this out before I have an answer. I'm sure I will be fine but it's good to hear from someone else that recently went through this. Congrats again, and happy to see your life is on track!

[*wifey* 0]

Congrats and it has eased my mind somewhat. I had my medical this morning and I had some past issues that have now been managed very well in the past few years. I had my GP write a note saying that I had past issues, what meds I was taking and that future prognosis was good. The doctor when finishing the medical said, "You shouldn't have any problems".

I'm just getting anxious since I still have 2 more months to wait this out before I have an answer. I'm sure I will be fine but it's good to hear from someone else that recently went through this. Congrats again, and happy to see your life is on track!

hey - thanks for this post. i had my medical yesterday and the doc asked questions about my past (since self-injury-scars cant be hidden at all).

i was kinda worried when i left; but hopefully that won't cause any further problems.

i m great today and really have overcome those issues - but there ll be a lil bit of worries remaining till i have the visa interview (next month).

keep your fingers crossed with me!

[goldylox 0]

thank you so much for posting this ... it is a really good solid account and extremely helpful. I have previous Mental Health problems and kind of panicked big time today, then i found your post it really helped me relax a bit so a big giant thank you x x x x

[anniedanielle 1]

I had my medical yesterday, I'm waiting on my GP to fax over all of my mental health history. I have previously self harmed, and had suicidal thoughts but never acted upon them. My last appointment with a phsychiatrist was in Jan of this year and I was discharged on the fact I was going to the states for 9 weeks from Feb, but also my assessment at the point clearly shows my very good improvement to how I had been. I'm absolutely fine now, so my GP can send an email stating that nothing is ongoing. I have my interview next Friday however, and I am just so worried now! I was reassured heavily to keep my interview appointment, that even if the Embassy hadn't received my medical history of my mental health etc that I can be approved however I just won't be issued the visa that day, until they receive my medical records... is this true? 😰 I'm just panicking, and would like some kind of reassurance from someone or someone's experience to get a better understanding of where I currently stand on being approved or not etc. My medical and interview are both in London. Please help!