Mental Health + Medical Exam Concerns

[rachelann 5]

My fiancee and I are currently at the NVC waiting stage of our K1 and looking forward to when she will be getting her medical exam in London. We've done a little research on the topic, but I'd like to ask with a fresh post about how to best get through the medical when there is some concerns about past mental health issues.

 

My fiancee ODed on pills a little over a year ago or so. Not certain if this is in her record/how it might be written out there. She is obviously fully prepared to be honest about the incident but does not want to over-disclose when it is unnecessary. 

She has some scarring from past self-injury behavior.

She is not currently on any medications or in therapy. She has tried some therapy here and there but been able to keep up with it due to various external reasons. 

 

It is my understanding that a letter from her GP stating she is not a danger to herself or others would be a good thing to have. Any other suggestions? Anything else we need to be especially mindful of? Is she likely to need some sort of extra psychiatric evaluation? Could we get ahead of this by somehow scheduling it in anticipation of it? We want to cover all our bases as early as possible.

 

Just hoping for some insight, advice, whatever. Thank you!

[JFH 12,189]

It definitely will be on her medical history unless no medical attention was sought and it was never brought to the attention of anyone in the medical profession (which is unlikely). Even if it was only mentioned in a later appointment with a doctor, the doctor would have a duty to add it to her file. 

 

In 2004 I was hospitalized against my will for “suicidal ideation”. I went through the London embassy in 2016. I got a report written by my GP (I had to pay for it) saying that I had had no further incidents, I had gone to counseling, I had taken positive steps to my recovery, etc. I had no issue whatsoever at the medical or the embassy. The only potential issue for you is the time span. My hospitalization was 12 years before my medical. Your situation is much more recent. 

 

Good luck on your journey. 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

24 minutes ago, rachelann said:

It is my understanding that a letter from her GP stating she is not a danger to herself or others would be a good thing to have

I would say imperative to have at the clinic in London. If they get no reassurance from another medical professional, they will more likely have her complete a psych exam at their clinic at another appointment. 

[Seanandrach 39]

You will absolutely need something to detail her current mental health. 

My gp wouldn't write the letter in time so I had them print out all the consultation notes which was fine but my history was only mild anxiety and depression caused by work/berevement. 

 

I would recommend she books an appointment with her Dr to discuss the situation, explain the visa and assess her current mental health. You need detailed in the letter previous issues (with dates), prognosis, treatment and the key thing is to say " is now not a harm to self or others". That line seems to be what they need. Beware it might take a couple weeks to get this written up as they'll need to look at her notes so do it in advance but not too far that it won't be relevant come the actual medical exam. Having an appointment is best as they can assess and be sure they're writing the truth (after all, it would be their medical expertise in question if they were wrong). A medical is valid for 6 months so if you are sitting at the 6 or 7th month mark, you could actually start getting it done now

 

Hope this helps!