Is a depressive episode the same thing as depression?

[SilverStarG 19]

My husband got his GP Summary today, He has a Depressive Episode in 2015 listed under Active Major Problem (along with things such as a broken arm in 2020 lol so obviously things aren't all actually ongoing but they are all listed as ongoing). There are no further notes on it, but what it was was that his uncle committed suicide and his grandma died and the GP Prescribed him citalopram (which he stopped taking on his own in 2018). Is a depressive episode resulting from grief the same thing as depression/does he need to try and get some kind of report on it?  His medical is in two weeks I'm a bit concerned if he could get it on time if he does need something.

[yoda one for me 321]

As this will be in his record that London Visa Medicals will look at, his GP needs to also write a letter explaining his mental health history (the context you gave there is probably useful), whether he's still considered ill (clearly he's moved past the problem period now) and especially vital are the magic words "not a danger to himself or others".

 

That's it. That's all. 

 

The doctor will ask him about it in the medical but as long as he's honest and nothing he says contradicts what the GP has written all will be well. 

 

People get through the visa process with multiple psychiatric conditions and history of self harm without a problem because their GP writes the kind of letter I described above. Don't panic!

 

Probably do need to get his skates on and get that GP's letter - they sometimes make you wait a few weeks (as it's a service they often charge for as an extra) so he may need to be forceful about it.

Edited April 5, 2022 by yoda one for me