The doctor said "one of the boxes you ticked is going to cause you problems". It was the one about self harm, as I did so about 10 years whilst going through an awkward teenage phase.

So it's a big deal then, and he said I will have to go to a shrink to get something in writing saying that there is no danger of this happening again. He said I should probably go private since I might not get one under the NHS in time for the visa interview and would be more likely to be given the all-clear if I pay for a private shrink.

I read somewhere on this page about someone who selfharmed, although they never wrote anything about their medical/interview experiences they ended up in the states anyway, so I wasn't overly worried about a stupid moment of adolescence like this causing a problem.

The medical was over within 45 minutes of walking into the building, and I had another 12 hours before my bus left London and a 9 hour journey to worry about the fact that I am more likely to get my visa declined at the interview, even with a positive letter from a shrink.

Dont really have any experience in this situation...but just wanted to say stick with it..i beleive other people have had similar issues and can advise better than me... but dont lose heart - it will all come good ! Good Luck

What do you mean specifically by self-harm?

Try not to worry too much KJC, a number of VJers have had delays because of very similar problems, but I have yet to hear of anyone denied for problems that are not ongoing.

Did you see any psychologists / psychiatrists at the time? Maybe you could contact them and ask for your last report. I remember someone else on VJ having to go see a psych, and got a cert to say that it was not likely that the condition would recur, she got this cert to the medical people and they sent on the all clear to the embassy. The embassy people are not qualified to make a medical judgement, they can only go on what the medical people tell them. If you have a letter from a qualified professional saying that the self harm is over, has been over for a substantial period of time, and is unlikely to recur, the embassy cannot quibble with it.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience

I'm sure with the note from a shrink you'll be fine. I've seen many other people who have been through a period of depression or self-harm be approved!

Sorry to hear you have had problem. Follow the advice the doctor gave you, others here for different reasons have been given similar advice.

Once the Embassy doctors receive written confirmation of what they are asking they will give you the all clear. When you pass the medical that is all the Embassy are concerned with and it will not effect the visa being issued.

Others had been required to obtain psychiatric reports and while it was additional aggravation they reported it all worked out when that had been done.

Don't worry, easier said then done I know, with a positive letter you will be in the same position as anyone else when they go to the interview.

Scars on my upper arm from cutting. Surprised they even scarred in the first place since they weren't much more than scratches. I've had worse wounds which healed completely, such as having my fingertips melted from touching super hot metal, blooded knees, cat/dog/hamster bites or scratches.

I've never seen anyone about it before, yesterday was the very first time I seen any type of doctor since 1994.

I will make an appointment with the GP and ask about the vaccinations I will need to get, as well as being reffered to a shrink like the medical asked me to do.

If I remember correctly, the VJ member who went through this before was tigretigre. Look up her posts and see what you can come up with for next steps.

Found it:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;#entry398598

I will look through her posts to see what went on. Certainly, the visa interview seemed painless.

I suffered from depression when I was a teen and self harmed. Luckly, I read on VJ about needing a letter from your doctor detailing it, before I went to my medical. So I went armed with medical notes and letters from both my doctor and the councilor I saw. The doctor at the medical went over it all with me and I managed get away without having to be reviewed by a shrink.

I wouldn't worry too much about this affecting your chance of getting approved.....as long as you are not a danger to yourself now and the shrink docutments this....then you will be fine.

Chin Up.

Had the appointment with a shrink today. Basically just asked for basic details on my family, hobbies, alcohol or drugs used, what went on at school etc "Do you suffer from depression or self harm today" me: "No".

That was it. She said there was nothing wrong with me and that she'd forward her paper work on to the medical and myself.

Fingers crossed... agonizing 3 weeks to wait for the moment of truth...

Good luck! Hope things are plain-sailing for you from here on out.