This is the letter the GP gave us

[homesick_american 1]

Letter the GP gave us regarding my husband's depression:

'I have been authorised by Mr. Blank to provide additional medical information regarding his episodes of depression to which he referred during his recent routine medical examination for immigration purposes.

This xx-year-old I.T. Specialist for <company> has been registered with the practice since 1999. In 1997 he had been started on Prozac for an episode of depression. During 1999 and 2000 he continued on Prozac and engaged well with counselling and clinical psychology services, which he had requested. Between 2000 and 2002 he did not require antidepressant medication. Between 2002 and present he has been intermittently on antidepressant tablets. These were recently changed from Prozac to Citalopram. Since 2002 and 2005 he has again shown good help-taking behaviour having used counselling and psychology services appropriately. He has no medical history of deliberate self-harm or of violence or aggression to others. At times he has complained of feeling life was not worth living but adds that he is too rational to ever hurt himself in support of this it appears he has not made any plans or shown any intent to act on these thoughts.

As described he has benefited from counselling and psychological therapy but has not been severe enough to require a consultant psychiatrist to be involved. His current drug treatment is Citalopram 20 mg once daily. With regard to prognosis this is difficult to establish he clearly has had mild symptoms for a long period of time with some at times prolonged periods where he is symptom-free.'

I can't help but feel that he's full of bull. I can't help but feel that if we send this to the embassy we will be screwed.

Any advice is appreciated.

[rebeccajo 14]

As we've said before we can't say with certainty what will happen.

Personally it doesn't look that horrid to me.

You are NOT going to find a doctor that will certify your husband will never do himself or others harm. If that's what you are looking for that's not going to happen.

[homesick_american 1]

As we've said before we can't say with certainty what will happen.

Personally it doesn't look that horrid to me.

You are NOT going to find a doctor that will certify your husband will never do himself or others harm. If that's what you are looking for that's not going to happen.

Well, you can't really say that about anyone.

Given the psychiatric histories of some of the people I've heard of being approved...having issues with suicide attempts, hospitalization, etc., if I were giving advice to someone else I would probably say that they were fine. But since it's us, it's different. Everything hangs on this.

All I'm looking for is some support and encouragement. That's it...but hey, maybe that's asking too much.

[rebeccajo 14]

We are trying to support you yet still be realistic.

I think you are upset.

As we've said before we can't say with certainty what will happen.

Personally it doesn't look that horrid to me.

You are NOT going to find a doctor that will certify your husband will never do himself or others harm. If that's what you are looking for that's not going to happen.

Well, you can't really say that about anyone.

Given the psychiatric histories of some of the people I've heard of being approved...having issues with suicide attempts, hospitalization, etc., if I were giving advice to someone else I would probably say that they were fine. But since it's us, it's different. Everything hangs on this.

All I'm looking for is some support and encouragement. That's it...but hey, maybe that's asking too much.

[saturn5man 0]

Not that I am an expert but this doesn't look at all bad to me. In fact, it seems like a pretty good assurance that he's OK generally. Try not to worry.

Good luck with the ongoing processing of your case.....Best wishes, Neil.

[homesick_american 1]

Not that I am an expert but this doesn't look at all bad to me. In fact, it seems like a pretty good assurance that he's OK generally. Try not to worry.

Good luck with the ongoing processing of your case.....Best wishes, Neil.

What I would like is for the GP to re-word it to state that not only has my husband never exhibited harmful behavior, his depression has not interfered with his ability to hold down a job. I also think that since this GP doesn't really know my husband very well he's not qualified to talk about his prognosis, but my husband's cognitive behavioral therapist is. Hubby's in CBT to learn how better to think positively.

[saturn5man 0]

Not that I am an expert but this doesn't look at all bad to me. In fact, it seems like a pretty good assurance that he's OK generally. Try not to worry.

Good luck with the ongoing processing of your case.....Best wishes, Neil.

What I would like is for the GP to re-word it to state that not only has my husband never exhibited harmful behavior, his depression has not interfered with his ability to hold down a job. I also think that since this GP doesn't really know my husband very well he's not qualified to talk about his prognosis, but my husband's cognitive behavioral therapist is. Hubby's in CBT to learn how better to think positively.

Is the next step for your hubby to return the medical report and then see what the outcome is, or has he to return with it in person? Either way, don't worry about something that might not happen. He could easily be passed as OK this time. Neil. (PS. I will PM you).

[homesick_american 1]

Not that I am an expert but this doesn't look at all bad to me. In fact, it seems like a pretty good assurance that he's OK generally. Try not to worry.

Good luck with the ongoing processing of your case.....Best wishes, Neil.

What I would like is for the GP to re-word it to state that not only has my husband never exhibited harmful behavior, his depression has not interfered with his ability to hold down a job. I also think that since this GP doesn't really know my husband very well he's not qualified to talk about his prognosis, but my husband's cognitive behavioral therapist is. Hubby's in CBT to learn how better to think positively.

Is the next step for your hubby to return the medical report and then see what the outcome is, or has he to return with it in person? Either way, don't worry about something that might not happen. He could easily be passed as OK this time. Neil. (PS. I will PM you).

We've already had (and passed) the embassy interview, but my husband's medical was scheduled the same day as his embassy interview. The embassy interview was at 10am, the medical at 3:30pm the same day. He indicated on the forms that he had a history of depression and the doctor told him she'd need a letter from his GP and that's all she said. I don't know what happens now; she (the panel physician) asked us to fax the GP's letter to her.

[no name 1]

Check out this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=28634&hl=

[perfect 39]

I know you're deeply concerned but in all honesty, having worked both with GP's and Clinical Psychologists, I feel that this is a very generic but actually positive letter. It states what it needs to and is factual regarding his history etc. - the GP couldn't have done anymore than what he has. Generally, if depression had affected a person's work and ability to function normally day-to-day, etc. it would be noted as a fact of the medical histroy but in this case, as it isn't it would normally be accepted that his episodes had no interference with normal day-to-day life.

I understand your concern, but don't let it run away and become so magnified that you can't be objective about the outcome. In the circumstances I don't see any reason why your SO's visa would be denied on the basis of the information in that letter.

[KaiserD 12]

Not that I am an expert but this doesn't look at all bad to me. In fact, it seems like a pretty good assurance that he's OK generally. Try not to worry.

This is what I think, and is the kind of thing I expect to hear as well

[homesick_american 1]

Thanks you guys...I feel a bit better.

[saturn5man 0]

Thanks you guys...I feel a bit better.

That's GREAT...Now go and make you both a nice cuppa

[homesick_american 1]

OK...I broke down and actually called the USCIS's number to ask them how I should interpret the info on their website, and actually read them the letter. They said in their opinion, I was worrying needlessly. Of course they can't guarantee anything but they said we should be fine and they think it will be approved with no further delays.

[saturn5man 0]

OK...I broke down and actually called the USCIS's number to ask them how I should interpret the info on their website, and actually read them the letter. They said in their opinion, I was worrying needlessly. Of course they can't guarantee anything but they said we should be fine and they think it will be approved with no further delays.

That's what we all have been trying to tell you !

Now make that cuppa and relaaaax