Say this person did not know about it when joining, but now three years later finds out for sure they have it. Could they take the meds prescribed so that you can function better? Does anyone know for sure on this issue? 

Not a clue that's why I'm asking, but I'd say they let ya take the high blood pressure meds cause the Marine Corps probably helped with that one haha. 

If you can take meds for high blood pressure, why would you not be allowed to take meds for ADD?

WHAT!? How are those even related?

Why doesnt this person, I dont know, ask his Doc? The doc is legally bound and cant say what they discussed. 

I probably will as soon as I can, but just wanted to see if anyone who works with medical would happen to see this and know. 

My husbands cousin got medically separated/kicked out (not sure which) from the Navy for this issue. Not sure if she knew beforehand and just didn't divulge it or if she found out while she was in, but it was for adult ADHD. 

Go to BAS. They will refer to the Naval Hospital to see a doctor. Doctor then prescribes you meds. Then you are all better. 

NO, because ADD is considered a disqualifier for joining in the first place. The official rule is if you have taken meds for ADD/ADHD in the past year or exhibit symptoms you may not join, so I assume they would have issues with it if it were discovered after joining. 

My husbands cousin got medically separated/kicked out (not sure which) from the Navy for this issue. Not sure if she knew beforehand and just didn't divulge it or if she found out while she was in, but it was for adult ADHD

Wow, did not know it was that serious. 

I'm not sure, she's not very forthcoming about the story and how it all went down. IMO, she got caught for knowing beforehand and lying about it and got kicked out. Can't confirm though. 

yes you can, I know a few people on meds for it and they are active duty. 

I did not know that. Wow.

When my husband joined, I looked up EVERYTHING about joining. Because I didn't want him to join. I was 18 and I tried everything I could to find a reason he couldn't join. And I remembered that. 

Not too much difference besides circulatory system and psychological.

Meh, I guess. I dont really buy into the whole "adult ADD" onset business unless there was a TBI or something. Some people just want the side effects. ADD is not deadly. High BP is. That was my point, Betty.



ETA: For those 'What if" folks: Yes, if an ADD kid is effing around nd misses instructions, he could kill someone, but so could the person who sneezed and didnt hear the same instruction. 

I'm not sure, she's not very forthcoming about the story and how it all went down. IMO, she got caught for knowing beforehand and lying about it and got kicked out. Can't confirm though. 

See that would suck, honestly didn't know until last month... Hope they don't assume everyone is lying about. 

So it's like asthma, then? Absolutely no waivers?

There is waivers, but they are only granted to like 5% of applicants or something. I think maybe it would be easier if you were already in, but I think they would want to do extensive testing to determine how serious the ADD is. 

My husband just said you cant join if you have to take meds to function but you can join if you have it and can control it without meds. So I was wrong cause I thought the guys we knew were on meds but they are not. 

yes you can, I know a few people on meds for it and they are active duty. 

Hope you are right! lol 

I'm not sure, she's not very forthcoming about the story and how it all went down. IMO, she got caught for knowing beforehand and lying about it and got kicked out. Can't confirm though. 

See that would suck, honestly didn't know until last month... Hope they don't assume everyone is lying about. 


Well, I hope everything works out for you. I have no idea how it works to be honest. Maybe it's because she worked on Jets? 

My husband just said you cant join if you have to take meds to function but you can join if you have it and can control it without meds. So I was wrong cause I thought the guys we knew were on meds but they are not.

Yeah, that's what I understood. You can be diagnosed but you cannot be taking medication for it, and it can't be serious enough to NEED medication. 

Hope you are right! lol 

nope sorry I wasnt lol, you can control it as an adult with other means besides meds. Counseling can help you learn to organize better so you can control it. They can also teach you focus strategies. Not everyone with it has to be medicated. 

Alright thanks everyone I will just go to the doc and see what they say since I can function off the meds. 

If you can function, why are seeking doctors? 

LOL just had to say there is an Intuniv add on my page. 

The military will kick you out for ANY medical issue. I had thyroid cancer shortly after I joined the Navy...treatment/cure: surgery and radiation, recovery time: 2 months, prognosis: normal life. Yes, I got dismissed. 

The military will kick you out for ANY medical issue. I had thyroid cancer shortly after I joined the Navy...treatment/cure: surgery and radiation, recovery time: 2 months, prognosis: normal life. Yes, I got dismissed.

Dont you have to be on a medication for the rest of your life? At least with ADD you don't *have* to take the medication. If they ran out of your medication underway you would have a bigger emergency than someone out of ADD meds. 

@trace, depending on if your entire thyroid is obliterated yes or no. A person can live normally with only half a thyroid. If the entire thyroid is obliterated then yes you do have to be on a medication for life, but it stays in the system for months, so running out isn't a huge concern. 

@trace, depending on if your entire thyroid is obliterated yes or no. A person can live normally with only half a thyroid. If the entire thyroid is obliterated then yes you do have to be on a medication for life, but it stays in the system for months, so running out isn't a huge concern.

Learn something new everyday :) 

Yeah, that's why I was so upset when I was kicked out. If it was a big deal I would have understood, but for something that is easily controlled really upset me. 

What was your rate samantha? 

The doc is legally bound and cant say what they discussed.

Um... The doc cannot discuss to an "outside third party". However, because he an active duty member and will be possibly prescibed an amphetamine such as Adderall, the doctor is required to notify the command due to possible impairments caused by the drug. 

The military will kick you out for ANY medical issue. I had thyroid cancer shortly after I joined the Navy...treatment/cure: surgery and radiation, recovery time: 2 months, prognosis: normal life. Yes, I got dismissed.

This isn't entirely true. The have established the Wounded Warrior Bn and now on certain combat/non combat related medical issues you are now able to be on permanent limited duty if you want to stay in. Of course you have to be able to perform some types of duty, ie admin. If not they yes they will medically seperate you.