Retained Firefighter - Medical Question re: Anxiety/Depression

Tommy Kelly

Long story short. The kitchen sink has been thrown at me lately with my 11 year old daughter being very ill and needing a lot of care and my mother having cancer. I was finding it hard enough to get through the day and decided to go to my GP. I was prescribed some meds which have done a great job.

I applied and managed to make it to number 1 on the panel for a Retained Firefighter position. However on my pre-medical report from my GP, they have mentioned that Depression/Anxiety for me is ongoing. I have my real medical next Monday at 4pm and I have to show them this info. Now I'm really worried that this is going to go against me, despite the fact that I feel absolutely fine both mentally and physically. Anyone with some advise re: my situation. Thanks.

TallGlass

Not sure to be honest, also to be honest with you, your better off consulting your doctor on this one to see what they think about it.

It's just like any medication I assume that if it affects your ability to do the job at hand then there may be issues.

blackmark

I would consult your GP over this for a definitive answer as none of us here would know for certain and any info here would be opinion and not for certain.

This job has its ups and down and you see and deal with a lot of stuff that most people never see in their lifetime which can and does affect you. It's hard to know how this would work with the diagnosis on the medical form.

I wish you the best of luck going forward.

Tommy Kelly

Failed the medical carried out by my County Councils Doctor, this is despite me bringing in a separate stamped letter from my own GP stating that I was both physically & mentally well.

Last time I'll ever go to my GP for help when the kitchen sink is being thrown at me, as it seems the second a pill to help you deal with stress passes your mouth is exactly when you are labelled or deemed unfit to carry out certain jobs for the rest of your life.

I don't drink, don't smoke, in great nick mentally and as fit as a fiddle, but there you go.

It's a bad system, in my opinion.

TallGlass

Can you appeal? What was the reason for failure.

If one doctor says your okay and the other not. Surely that is a case for something.

Else if you really wanted to push it you could claim your been discriminated against.

It's this type of stuff IMO that stops people and puts them off seeking help for mental issues. There's such a stigma attached it's discusting, I am no expert but I am sure just like physical illness there's varying degrees, severitys and recovery times.

I'd follow up only if you have the mental strength to accept it might not go the way you wish.

Either way. Look after yourself, I hope you don't take it too badly.

farmerboy01

Can only think you have been done over as I am aware of at least 3 firefighters in Co. Cavan that were on antidepressants when they applied and took their medicals !!