worried about my medical history (employment)

LegacyUser

I've been on medication for anxiety for about 6 months now. I was having panic attacks and felt I just couldnt cope so I got pills from the GP.

I have never officially been diagnosed with it but i'm worried about this affecting my future employment. I was hoping to join the army or Gardai in the future but I've been reading lately that they are able check your medical history and anxiety is one of the things they can reject you on.

Is it true they can check your medical history?

MrWalsh

Well they can ask you for permission to contact your GP regarding your medical history.

Obviously, anyone who says no to that will raise an eyebrow and that would probably scupper an application.

But it is quite likely that an application would not be rejected over a period of anxiety. There are many things that can cause a person to go through a period of anxiety and it is fine to have that treated with medication.

What they would be looking for would be anxiety and mental health issues where a role in the army or the Guards would actually make the mental health issue worse. Its not any different to having a physical issue where the issue would prevent the person from doing the job correctly, and/or the job could make the physical issue worse.

What is likely is that they would ask you to be assessed by their own doctor based on whatever medical disclosures you make.

But I would urge you to consider what I have said above, do you really think a career in the army or Guards would suit you given that you suffer from anxiety? Both are very stressful careers to be in.

LegacyUser

MrWalsh wrote: »

<Snip> No need to quote full previous post.

I'm afraid my anxiety might is more than I let on in my original post. I'm having what I describe as minor panic attacks frequently on my way to work, in the house, walking the dogs, driving ect.. I have always had it but really only discovered it this year.

As far as working for the Gardai or Army goes they are the only jobs that really interest me.

Lux23

I think you should get more help OP and then be honest in any application.

MrWalsh

It'd be much better for you to really focus on getting your anxiety issues resolved before worrying about medicals for any jobs.

Remember that this is a temporary health blip in the scheme of things and your whole life will not be affected by it.

But please do go back to your doctor and discuss if you are not making improvements on your medication.

Anxiety affects a huge percentage of the population, it's great that you are aware of and are working towards resolving it.

Rubberchikken

i agree with ^^^.
before you decide that only the gardai or the army are your future, you need your present life sorted. you're dealing with it great in that you've gone to your gp, taking the medication and are working on getting it resolved, so focus on that for the moment and see how things go.

best of luck

emuhead

Agree with other posters - get sorted re your health first and then maybe start thinking about the future job / career. It will be easier to make decisions when your health is sorted.

ShowMeTheCash

Can I ask a question.

Why the Gardai and why the Army?

Our armed forces are very much involved in peace keeping missions in places like Chad and other areas of Africa where there is a lot of civil unrest!

I think with anxiety it is important to push yourself out of your confort zone and don't let the anxiety control your life but I think we are jumping to an extreme a little here.

Likewise with the Gardai, confrontation is a given you need to be able to control difficult situations.

Are these two things you just alwasy wanted to do?

Sometimes I see people want to do or pick careers that maybe is the mirror opposite to perhaps their personality.