Medical Exam - personal question

[anonymoususer 0]

This is a somewhat personal question, so I have chosen to remain anonymous with this post.

Several years ago (5+ years ago) when my fiance was a teenager in high school he engaged in some self-harming behavior (cutting) and now has many old scars up and down both of his arms and a few on his chest. This is something that he deeply regrets and has not done for many years, but the scars remain. We are both worrying that this could be possible grounds for being denied a visa if the doctor deems him mentally unstable.

I found this information at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info under the medical examination FAQ section:

"What if the applicant has a history of harmful or violent behavior?

If the applicant has had any history of harmful or violent behavior resulting in injury to people or animals, or harm to inanimate objects, the applicant must provide information that will allow the doctors to determine if the behavior was related to any psychiatric or medical problem, or to drug or alcohol use. Harmful behavior includes attempted suicide or self-harm, no matter how minor in nature."

I am wondering how we should deal with this matter and prepare for the medical exam. Both of us would be heartbroken if he was denied a visa for this issue.

Has anyone else dealt with anything like this?

[DakotaK1 1]

If they ask say it was an accident or smth like that,should be okay.

[ddkm 0]

Id say maybe it would be best to be honest, but get him to go to his doctor prior to the interview and get a statement from him that it isnt recent and that he is mentally stable etc...surely a better option than lying.

Although, if he just keeps quiet nothing may be said about it...?

[Dakine 26]

A few people in the Philippines have been put on AR because of scars on wrist.

They ended up having to have a mental evaluation by the immigration doctors. Delayed getting their visas.

Guess you could have a psycological evalution done by a private doctor prior to the medical.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

This is a somewhat personal question, so I have chosen to remain anonymous with this post.

Several years ago (5+ years ago) when my fiance was a teenager in high school he engaged in some self-harming behavior (cutting) and now has many old scars up and down both of his arms and a few on his chest. This is something that he deeply regrets and has not done for many years, but the scars remain. We are both worrying that this could be possible grounds for being denied a visa if the doctor deems him mentally unstable.

I found this information at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info under the medical examination FAQ section:

"What if the applicant has a history of harmful or violent behavior?

If the applicant has had any history of harmful or violent behavior resulting in injury to people or animals, or harm to inanimate objects, the applicant must provide information that will allow the doctors to determine if the behavior was related to any psychiatric or medical problem, or to drug or alcohol use. Harmful behavior includes attempted suicide or self-harm, no matter how minor in nature."

I am wondering how we should deal with this matter and prepare for the medical exam. Both of us would be heartbroken if he was denied a visa for this issue.

Has anyone else dealt with anything like this?

I would not bring it up.. I would claim motorcycle road burn if asked LOL

[RandyandRina 2]

TELL THEM THE TRUTH. You will just be placed in AP pending psychological results by the psychologists referred by the panel physicians. Whether it will be a denial of visa will rely whether they can show that your fiance has a mental or bahavior issue that may be harmful, threatful or violent to others. Good luck!

[*julez* 124]

As others have indicated, he should get a statement from a psychiatrist or psycholgist stating that while your fiance has engaged in self harm in the past, he is no longer at a risk for this behavior, nor is he a threat to others. Yiou should definitely not lie, or not address it all. This is likely surmountable, but be prepared to make a strong case for him with medical opinions to back you up. Good luck!!

[anonymoususer 0]

TELL THEM THE TRUTH. You will just be placed in AP pending psychological results by the psychologists referred by the panel physicians. Whether it will be a denial of visa will rely whether they can show that your fiance has a mental or bahavior issue that may be harmful, threatful or violent to others. Good luck!

Yes, it is pretty obvious that it's not an "accident" so the truth will surely be told.

What is AP? Could that significantly delay our process?

It seems that bringing in a psychological evaluation from another doctor wouldn't be useful as the examination must be done by a panel physician, yes?

Others have suggested not bringing it up, but I've read that the medical examination includes complete disrobing and external physical inspection (yikes!) - is this true?

Edited November 1, 2007 by anonymoususer

[*JG* 2]

I don't think the doctor's are stupid. And, I think it will be seen. I would be honest about it. Possibly bring all medical records in regards to that time to show you have moved past it. I think lying is a bad idea.

[*julez* 124]

TELL THEM THE TRUTH. You will just be placed in AP pending psychological results by the psychologists referred by the panel physicians. Whether it will be a denial of visa will rely whether they can show that your fiance has a mental or bahavior issue that may be harmful, threatful or violent to others. Good luck!

Yes, it is pretty obvious that it's not an "accident" so the truth will surely be told.

What is AP? Could that significantly delay our process?

It seems that bringing in a psychological evaluation from another doctor wouldn't be useful as the examination must be done by a panel physician, yes?

Others have suggested not bringing it up, but I've read that the medical examination includes complete disrobing and external physical inspection (yikes!) - is this true?

Others on VJ who have had other psycological problems, like depression reprted that they were required to have a statement from their own physician.

AP = Administrative Prcessing. Depending on the situation, it can last weeks to months.

Yes, he will have to strip down to his skivvies, and they will take a look "down below" too.

[DakotaK1 1]

Id say maybe it would be best to be honest, but get him to go to his doctor prior to the interview and get a statement from him that it isnt recent and that he is mentally stable etc...surely a better option than lying.

Although, if he just keeps quiet nothing may be said about it...?

My friend went through the same Visa process as I,she went into Therapy for a while cos something had happend to her a while ago that she could not deal with.

On the form(at the medical exam) she crossed on that she had never been in Therapy.

I would probably of done the same,it is none of their business to be totally honest.

I can understand the fact of somebody having HIV etc getting denied cos that could be a danger to others here in the US.

But somebody that got raped for example and was in mental therapy for that,simply should not have to be told!!!

[Mags 112]

Please do not encourage people to lie to USCIS, be it the embassy or the doctors. Thanks.

[DakotaK1 1]

Please do not encourage people to lie to USCIS, be it the embassy or the doctors. Thanks.

Knowbody encoraged anybody to lie.

This is an open forum where people post experiences and write their comments.

All I wrote is what I know of,would like to know how you would of reacted if the same would of happend to you as my friend.

[Asante Maroon 0]

This is a somewhat personal question, so I have chosen to remain anonymous with this post.

Several years ago (5+ years ago) when my fiance was a teenager in high school he engaged in some self-harming behavior (cutting) and now has many old scars up and down both of his arms and a few on his chest. This is something that he deeply regrets and has not done for many years, but the scars remain. We are both worrying that this could be possible grounds for being denied a visa if the doctor deems him mentally unstable.

I found this information at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info under the medical examination FAQ section:

"What if the applicant has a history of harmful or violent behavior?

If the applicant has had any history of harmful or violent behavior resulting in injury to people or animals, or harm to inanimate objects, the applicant must provide information that will allow the doctors to determine if the behavior was related to any psychiatric or medical problem, or to drug or alcohol use. Harmful behavior includes attempted suicide or self-harm, no matter how minor in nature."

I am wondering how we should deal with this matter and prepare for the medical exam. Both of us would be heartbroken if he was denied a visa for this issue.

Has anyone else dealt with anything like this?

Just in case the doctors there are very familiar with self-inflicted injuries, I suggest that your fiance tell the truth....because the first question that will be raised is "why did you lie". Anything else said out of your fiance's mouth may be doubted because of that.

I agree with some comments that were made about getting evaluated by a doctor. I would go further and say that your fiance should see a psychiatric doctor who is approved by the embassy. This will save your fiance time and money in the event that the embassy does not accept diagnoses from other doctors. You figure...they already send you to specific medical doctors.... so going to a psychiatric doctor that they approve puts you ahead of the game.

Good luck!

[maggieNomar 0]

IT's best to tell the truth, espeically when dealing with the government. They just KNOW things so it's better to tell them yourself rather than get caught in a lie. If I were in your situation, I would get the personal doc's note to address it up front, and be prepared to hand over the report IF asked about the scars. Then know that there is a good possibility there will be further clearance required. Since he wasn't a threat to others, I would think this will not be a big deal, just a slight additional investigation/delay. But a lot easier to deal with than wondering if they will find the truth after you lied to them!