K1 Visa Medical - Doctor Note

[aikowo 4]

Hi, so I've seen around the forums that if you're going to your medical and you have self harm scars, you need a note from your doctor in advance stating that they feel you're not a threat to yourself or others. However, my doctor insists that legally she can't write this because she's not an expert in mental health, is this right? I've seen lots of other accounts of people getting this easily from their GP (UK based). Any advice on what I can give to her to reassure that it would be okay?

[JeanneAdil 6,559]

you will need to show u have seen a professional and gotten the proper care 

[MalloryCat 207]

you would more than likely need a letter from a therapist or psychologist.

Maybe those GPs had more experience in mental health where they felt they could write those letters

[aikowo 4]

11 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

you will need to show u have seen a professional and gotten the proper care 

 

2 minutes ago, MalloryCat said:

you would more than likely need a letter from a therapist or psychologist.

Maybe those GPs had more experience in mental health where they felt they could write those letters

thankyou both, the thing is the scars are from 7+ years ago and at the time i didn't see a professional, although i did see a school counsellor for a short period but this never had any form of official documentation.

 

i've never had any hospital visits or had to have medical attention for it though and i haven't done anything harmful to myself in over 7 years, so i'm stuck on what i can do. you're right though, i was considering paying for a psychologist consult/evaluation to be safe on top of whatever i can get from my gp

[JeanneAdil 6,559]

you will go  thru a long and exhausting AOS here in the US if granted a K1 visa even for the wedding itself

I would seek a professional who can help diagnosis why the "self harm "  in the past and provide the documentation u need for the medical

U need to make sure this will not "pop up" when under pressure as the immigration process is a lot of work and pressure and can cause anxiety

[aikowo 4]

3 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

you will go  thru a long and exhausting AOS here in the US if granted a K1 visa even for the wedding itself

I would seek a professional who can help diagnosis why the "self harm "  in the past and provide the documentation u need for the medical

U need to make sure this will not "pop up" when under pressure as the immigration process is a lot of work and pressure and can cause anxiety

 

i appreciate this advice, i think i'll seek a psychologist evaluation in advance of the medical, though i'm not worried at all about it happening again. i was young and didn't have the coping mechanisms or a support system and the stuff i had going on was pretty heavy. i've been clean from it now though for over 7 years and the thought of doing it doesn't ever occur during daily life, even after 12+ months of waiting and stress and preparing visa things, my only reminder is the scars i have and now the concern for it bringing up issues in the medical.

[CMJuilland 485]

Personal experience: when I had my medical for my K1 many many moons ago, there was a question about if I had ever sought professional help for mental issues (I can’t remember the actual wording). I disclosed truthfully that I had had more than one hospitalization for anorexia and bulimia, that it had been a problem for almost 20 years, but that I considered myself stable and recovered. At that point, my last session with a mental health professional had maybe been 5 years ago or something along those lines, and the only follow-up question I was asked at the medical was whether I thought this would become a problem again or if I considered my self stable. I said, no to the first and yes to the second part, and that was that. Nobody asked any further questions ever. I don’t know what the situation is now, but just be honest and then see if they need to refer you so a mental health professional can give you the good-to-go. Best of luck! 

[Lee Thacket 29]

I had my visa medical in London a couple of weeks ago. The doctor there me about mental health problems. I discussed a period of stress at work a number of years ago. He seemed happy when I told him the problem was resolved.

 

Your medical records will show you have not had any problems for more than five years.

 

Seeing a consultant psychiatrist or clinical psychologist will probably cost several hundred pounds if you want them to write a report about you.

 

See what the doctor at Visa Medicals advises. I am sure you will be fine.

[aikowo 4]

2 hours ago, Lee Thacket said:

I had my visa medical in London a couple of weeks ago. The doctor there me about mental health problems. I discussed a period of stress at work a number of years ago. He seemed happy when I told him the problem was resolved.

 

Your medical records will show you have not had any problems for more than five years.

 

Seeing a consultant psychiatrist or clinical psychologist will probably cost several hundred pounds if you want them to write a report about you.

 

See what the doctor at Visa Medicals advises. I am sure you will be fine.

Okay thankyou this is reassuring, I know at the least my doctor will write that I haven't been seen by them for self harm or mental health issues. I just am a little worried about extending the visa wait for weeks more and having to pay hundreds more for another trip down to London (I live near Manchester).

[powerpuff 6,732]

*** Thread moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures ***

[aikowo 4]

1 minute ago, powerpuff said:

*** Thread moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures ***

 

oh oops my bad i didn't know which place to post! thankyou for moving it :)

 

also update to the original post: i booked an assessment with a psychologist and she was lovely and helpful and has given me a very clear positive letter stating that i'm in a good place and not a threat to myself or others. i'll comment again after my medical for anyone who is interested in how that goes and if the letter is enough - the total price paid for assessment and letter was £200

[aikowo 4]

to summarise the letter, it went like this:

 

To whom it may concern,

 

I am writing to you to confirm that I have assessed [aikowo]'s mental health and wellbeing in a clinical interview. [aikowo] has some faint scars from superficial self harm on one arm as a result of an incident which was difficult to manage at the time (aged 15). [aikowo] had some limited help from a school counsellor at the time and has felt well since.

 

At present [aikowo]'s general mental health is good with no signs of depression, anxiety or self-harm or any suicidal thoughts or behaviours. In the clinical interview [aikowo] had good emotional contact and a warm demeanour. Her rating scales also indicate no clinical mental health problems. [aikowo] does not pose a threat to herself or others.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information,

 

Yours sincerely,

 

[doctor's name and signature]

Edited May 13 by aikowo

[Lee Thacket 29]

15 hours ago, aikowo said:

to summarise the letter, it went like this:

 

To whom it may concern,

 

I am writing to you to confirm that I have assessed [aikowo]'s mental health and wellbeing in a clinical interview. [aikowo] has some faint scars from superficial self harm on one arm as a result of an incident which was difficult to manage at the time (aged 15). [aikowo] had some limited help from a school counsellor at the time and has felt well since.

 

At present [aikowo]'s general mental health is good with no signs of depression, anxiety or self-harm or any suicidal thoughts or behaviours. In the clinical interview [aikowo] had good emotional contact and a warm demeanour. Her rating scales also indicate no clinical mental health problems. [aikowo] does not pose a threat to herself or others.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information,

 

Yours sincerely,

 

[doctor's name and signature]

 

Brilliant. That is probably more than you need. At my medical last month the doctor just wanted an assurance that past problems had been dealt with. The above letter should fulfil that. Visa Medicals "threaten" you, for want of a better word, with the possibility of a second visit if they don't get all the information they require. I think that is really rare if you are honest with them.

 

In terms of travelling to London cheaply, MegaBus has £5 fares on most routes in May.  I took a night bus to London last night and had my visa interview this morning.

[aikowo 4]

4 hours ago, Lee Thacket said:

 

Brilliant. That is probably more than you need. At my medical last month the doctor just wanted an assurance that past problems had been dealt with. The above letter should fulfil that. Visa Medicals "threaten" you, for want of a better word, with the possibility of a second visit if they don't get all the information they require. I think that is really rare if you are honest with them.

 

In terms of travelling to London cheaply, MegaBus has £5 fares on most routes in May.  I took a night bus to London last night and had my visa interview this morning.

 

Thanks, I hope so! Train is all booked, the only medical appointment I could get was 3 hours after the interview!! Hoping they will allow that and approve once they receive my results. Gonna keep contacting though in case they get any cancellations.

Edited May 14 by aikowo

[Lee Thacket 29]

1 hour ago, aikowo said:

 

Thanks, I hope so! Train is all booked, the only medical appointment I could get was 3 hours after the interview!! Hoping they will allow that and approve once they receive my results. Gonna keep contacting though in case they get any cancellations.

 

Really? I thought you had to do the medical and then schedule the visa interview at least two weeks afterwards. I arranged a gap of nearly three weeks between the two appointments.