Military Personality Disorder Diagnoses
Posted: May 1st, 2013, 8:21 pm
Judging by the fact that this sub-forum is empty, I assume there aren't many veterans here but I'll ask just the same. Has anyone been diagnosed by the military with a personality disorder?
I had a mental breakdown when I was serving in the Navy. I sought out help previously. I spoke to a junior enlisted psyche tech and was made to sign a contract stating that I would restrain from further self-injury and was told I could see a doctor in a few months (I was deployed at the time). I eventually lost control and wound up going AWOL. In a moment of clarity, I turned myself in after a few weeks and was hospitalized while awaiting transport back to my duty station.
I wasn't sure what was wrong with me. I was anxious and agitated almost all the time. I thought about suicide constantly. I asked the supervising physician for a diagnosis before my trial and he said I had Personality Disorder NOS (not otherwise specified). Which struck me as saying "you're just broken."
As I struggled in the years after my discharge, I wondered about personality disorders and if I had any hope of a decent life or any positive relationships. Eventually, I found out that the military hands out personality disorder diagnoses like service medals. The following link is to a New York Times article on this phenomenon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/25/us/a- ... d=all&_r=0
I felt really violated when I learned about this practice. I think it's important to get the word out. So, if any of you had a similar experience, don't put a lot of stock in this diagnosis and you're definitely not alone.
I had a mental breakdown when I was serving in the Navy. I sought out help previously. I spoke to a junior enlisted psyche tech and was made to sign a contract stating that I would restrain from further self-injury and was told I could see a doctor in a few months (I was deployed at the time). I eventually lost control and wound up going AWOL. In a moment of clarity, I turned myself in after a few weeks and was hospitalized while awaiting transport back to my duty station.
I wasn't sure what was wrong with me. I was anxious and agitated almost all the time. I thought about suicide constantly. I asked the supervising physician for a diagnosis before my trial and he said I had Personality Disorder NOS (not otherwise specified). Which struck me as saying "you're just broken."
As I struggled in the years after my discharge, I wondered about personality disorders and if I had any hope of a decent life or any positive relationships. Eventually, I found out that the military hands out personality disorder diagnoses like service medals. The following link is to a New York Times article on this phenomenon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/25/us/a- ... d=all&_r=0
I felt really violated when I learned about this practice. I think it's important to get the word out. So, if any of you had a similar experience, don't put a lot of stock in this diagnosis and you're definitely not alone.