Please help. Navy Discharge

[livingrock21]

What is the name of your state? Va

I'm going to make this short, even though I could really draw it out and get into the details...

I've had chronic pain in my hands, there isn't a doc that can tell me what's causing it. I've heard it could be, "lyme disease", "nerve damage in my back", "carpal tunnel syndrom" . I've been dealing with this for the past 3 or 4 months (they've had me doped up on pain medication). Well I went to the doctor again today for a follow up, and I asked the doctor if depression could be causing it (my wife and I were talking, and her and I both believe that I've been depressed for the same amount of time the stuffs been going on my hands), and he said sure. He started asking me questions, to see if I was depressed, and it turns out I'm clinicaly depressed.

My question is, how do I either get off my ship, or out of the navy? Being on a ship is whats causing the depression. If I get discharged, what kind of discharge can I expect? I dont know how much longer I can deal with this. Please, PLease help.

My further response:

Top 10 Ways to Get Out of the Navy - -

Number 10: Inform Captain that you've changed your name to "Rosa Parks." Refuse to sit in the back of the submarine.

Number 9: Hang pictures of Betty Grable on the walls. What a babe !

Number 8: Hang pictures of Sylvester Stallone on the walls. What a babe !

Number 7: The men start wondering if you shouldn't be discharged because you keep telling the Captain to "Dive, dive, dive," with your zipper down.

Number 6: Inform Captain that you want off of this floating "turd with a propeller."

Number 5: Shoot off all the missiles on the 4th of July !

Number 4: Start following a Russian submarine for about 300 miles. You'll all get out of the Navy !

Number 3: Inform Captain that you spotted Gilligan, the Skipper, the Millionaire and his wife, the Movie Star, and the Professor and Maryann, through the parascope.

Number 2: Inform Captain that you're now a "Conscientious Objector."

AND, the Number One way to Get Out of the Navy - -

Start skipping down the middle of the boat singing the "Cracker Jacks" theme song - - "Candy Coated Popcorn, Peanuts and a Prize. That's what you get in Cracker Jacks."

IAAL

[livingrock21]

Those were all pretty funny, but I was being serious. I really, really need help.

Originally Posted by livingrock21

Those were all pretty funny, but I was being serious. I really, really need help.

My response:

Tough crap!

Talk to your boss, that idiot Bush - - Mr. 37 Percenter!

This is what happens when you vote "Nixon" into office!

IAAL

[rmet4nzkx]

Originally Posted by livingrock21

What is the name of your state? Va

I'm going to make this short, even though I could really draw it out and get into the details...

I've had chronic pain in my hands, there isn't a doc that can tell me what's causing it. I've heard it could be, "lyme disease", "nerve damage in my back", "carpal tunnel syndrom" . I've been dealing with this for the past 3 or 4 months (they've had me doped up on pain medication). Well I went to the doctor again today for a follow up, and I asked the doctor if depression could be causing it (my wife and I were talking, and her and I both believe that I've been depressed for the same amount of time the stuffs been going on my hands), and he said sure. He started asking me questions, to see if I was depressed, and it turns out I'm clinicaly depressed.

My question is, how do I either get off my ship, or out of the navy? Being on a ship is whats causing the depression. If I get discharged, what kind of discharge can I expect? I dont know how much longer I can deal with this. Please, PLease help.

If you are depressed and that is the cause of your pain, they will give you antidepressants like Elevil which also treats chronic pain (Taken at bedtime helps with sleep but also causes constipation) What is your MOS? Have they checked you for referred pain or epicondylitis? I don't think this will be cause for a medical discharge. How old are you and how long have you been in? Are you a submariner?

[SHORTY LONG]

Respectfully, If You Have Been Seen By A Navy Doctor Aboard Ship And Are Clinically Depressed; Request For A Jag Officer And Discuss With Them Your Situation And Ask For Help And Guidance!
Good Luck And Do Not Give Up!
Shorty

call the G.I rights hotline and talk to them about your situation. The phone number is 1-800-394-9544. They are a non profit group of volunteers that help military personnel with their rights about situations. Remember, they are on your side, not the Governments. When you call ask for J.c Mcneil, she is a volunteer but also a lawyer. By the way, dont listen to people like the one who wrote you that crap, im not gonna get into a big lecture about these people, but remember one thing: everyone is tough and cool, when they can hide behind a computer or a phone, or a username, right. so dont let it get to you.

[livingrock21]

I appreciate all of your guys help... I mainly posted on this board to see if anyone else has been or is going through the same thing..

'Shorty Long'- I didn't see a doc on the ship, I'm a destroyer, all we have is corpsman... I had to go to another command to actually see a doctor, now I have to wait for a couple weeks just to see a psychiatrist... It's pretty rediculous, what if I was severely, severly depressed and having thoughts of suicide.. You know?

I thought about calling the G.I. rights hotline, but I'm really sceptical about that... I was scepical about getting help in the first place, just for the simple fact of how people are going to judge me on the ship...

Any more info would be greatly appreciated!

[SHORTY LONG]

Dear Livingrock21,

Respectfully, Sorry I Misunderstood About Seeing Doc! Please Do Not Give Up Nor Ever Be Ashamed What Anyone Thinks; What Counts Is How You Are Overall; And Please Do Not Do Nothing Wrong To Cause You A Lifelong Misery As I Did Being You Dumb And Stupid And Not Having Anyone To Reach Out To For Advice Or Help As What Is Readily Avaible Today In Time.

I Am Very Proud Of You And All Of Our Troops Who Are Giving So Much Of Themselves To Protect Us From The Evildoers. Make No Mistake About It, A War, Conflict Or Whatever Is Hell In One Way Or Another. Be Proud, Hold Your Head Up High And Never Ever Forget To Call Upon God Almighty For His Help And Protection.

Also, The Gi Hotline Is A Good Source For Further Help. I Know You Are A Good Person And Will Do What Is Right.

God Bless You And All Of Our Troops.

Best Of Luck, And Do Not Give Up.
Shorty

[Evilblueeyes]

I find it hard to see that you can blame the ship that you are on for your depression. Granted living on a navy ship is not ideal and I would never force anyone to live on one but I have lived on 3 different ships 2 small boys and 1 Carrier in 4 years and I have yet to be depressed from being on the ship.

[dallas702]

Depression doesn't cause pain in your hands. Choosing to feel distraught and unhappy with your daily life situation causes you to look for ways to get out of your environment. Some people just don't operate very well in a military environment, much less in the confines of a ship. But, you're not going to get any sympathy from your mates or your chain of command. Getting off the ship may be a temporary fix, or getting out of the Navy might make you feel "free" again, but what are you going to do when the same stresses hit you in civilian life? Your best chance of survival is to change your attitude and learn to live with whatever your present situation presents. All those pills and potions for depression will make you worse (many cause impotence and loss of hair and lethargy).

Your present situation is temporary. Learn to live with it and make the best of it rather than dwelling on the annoyances. Be an overcomer instead of a whiner. Change your life by changing your perspective.

[Snipes5]

You know Dallas, I heard Tom Cruise was looking for someone with your medical qualifications.

I've never heard of depression causing this type of difficulty, but that doesn't mean that the guy isn't depressed.

And, uh, whats your name, Evilblueeyes, people with attitudes like yours are the reason some folks in the military think it's easier to commit suicide than actually seek help.

"Gee, I was one of what, 10,000 people on a Carrier, and I never got depressed, so that must mean that no one else did either."

[dallas702]

I know the road, and I know what the drugs that are supposed to help can really do. Creating another dependency isn't the answer. Creating a different mindset and outlook is. Our culture has buried itself in the "poor me" mentality. We have so much of everything in our lives, but are still not happey because we are told it's never enough...so we slip into depression and guilt. It takes a realistic look at our blessings and some day by day changing of attitude to reverse the process, but it beats drugs and doctors anytime.

OP; be careful what you tell those counselors or doctors. It can come back to haunt you someday.

[Snipes5]

I'm with you on the guilt, it's self-induced rubbish usually, but *some* depression is indeed the result of faulty brain chemistry.

Like that woman who killed her children... you can't tell me that "counting her blessings" would have done her any long-term good.

Snipes

[livingrock21]

-I really appreciate the input I got from the people that were actually trying to help.

-To all of the other people that are being ignorant, thanks for voicing your opinion too. I too also felt that depression was just a mind set, and you could get out of the "slump" by your self, but it's not true. I've tried, you know I've had these feelings before, and been able to overcome them, but this time (past 4 months), I just cant do anything to shake the feeligns I'm having. It doesn't matter what I do. I dont like to do the things I use to, I mean nothing. I dont like being around people, or friends (which is really odd because I use to love being the center of attention). Anything I work on isn't up to my standards, even if it's a sat job, and everyone else says it's good. I have a 10 week old daughter and I feel like I'm even failing her.

-I just can't take this anymore. I've had my grandfauther (who I was very close to), and best friend die last christmas. I know thats causing some of the depression, but I know that my ship is causing the majority of it. Say what you want, but I really hate my ship. Like I said, I dont really like being around people anymore, and on my ship (a small DDG ) everyone is around eveone and if everyones else's buisness. Uhhhggg... If there are any other intelligent people out there that can help me out, I'd really appreciate it, I really feel like I'm going to explode!