Dan21 Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Hello all, long time lurker here... Simply put I'm a student with major depression that is worried about licensing in this field. So far, at least with doctors, there seems to be a consensus that you can practice with MI but that requires lying (somewhat?) to the licensing board and makes receiving treatment difficult. What's the current state of this dynamic? Do PA's face the same stigma as docs? If this is the case, say I pass licensing. Will I still have to go under the table for possible treatment should I need it? And will that jeopardise my career? Thanks in advance and for the countless posts I've read so far. Really helps us young students make informed decisions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pa-wannabe Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) The medical board isn't going to ask if you have a mental illness. They're going to ask if you have a mental illness that prevents you from safely and responsibly practicing medicine. This is really an honor system question. You know you. Are you being adequately treated and practicing self care? Or are you unable to complete the requirements of your job as expected? If the first, the medical board will not ask and need not know your mental health status. If the second, I would suggest seeking proper treatment before entering clinical practice. I work in psychiatry and see a psychiatrist myself. It's never been an issue, because I've never made it an issue. I don't see any mental health providers within my organization's medical group. That is to say, don't sh*t where you eat in terms of receiving mental health care if you can help it. Edited January 12, 2020 by pa-wannabe Added some words Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan21 Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 Very good to hear. I was worried that receiving treatment was like an automatic flag on your record no matter where you went for it. I don't see my condition having any bearing on patients. It is well treated I think. I'm very much considering psychiatry. How are you liking the job (if you don't mind)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marinejiujitsu Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 There's always a question if you have mental health issues that can affect your job. If you don't think it will affect it. Just click now. Ive never seen it asked if you ever had treatment for mental health issues.Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cideous Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) Clicking yes to the mental health question in Texas will guarantee you a trip to Austin to stand in front of the board to convince them you are sane. Saw it happen to a friend, was awful and very expensive. If you feel stable and can practice without issue... Click NO on the mental health question and be done with it. Edited January 12, 2020 by Cideous 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) I got the invite to Austin just for having a suspected partial-complex isolated seizure. Explained to the program physician (former spine specialist) why I was there and he in turn didn't know why I was there, or what to do with me. I had provided previously the clearance letter from my neurologist. I was no risk to patients unless I flopped an arm or leg against their face. Cost me $300 to sit with him for 30" to discuss my old spine days from the 80's. If I had been there for substance abuse concerns the initial visit would've been over a grand and I would've been out additional costs for drug testing. I will say that if they catch you falsifying your answers to the now bi-annual license renewal questionnaire that that qualifies you to have your license pulled as they say "Bye, Felicia". Edited January 14, 2020 by GetMeOuttaThisMess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted January 12, 2020 Administrator Share Posted January 12, 2020 I know Alaska did have an "Ever have depression?" question on their licensing application. I answered truthfully that I had, ~30 years ago, and they said "Yeah, watch out for that with the long nights and isolation here, but you're good to go" Washington didn't phrase their question like that, so I truthfully answered no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cideous Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 On 1/12/2020 at 12:14 PM, rev ronin said: I know Alaska did have an "Ever have depression?" question on their licensing application. I answered truthfully that I had, ~30 years ago, and they said "Yeah, watch out for that with the long nights and isolation here, but you're good to go" Washington didn't phrase their question like that, so I truthfully answered no. From what I have heard this varies wildly from state to state but like I said...if in Texas, don't answer yes unless you are ready to make an expensive trip to Austin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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