Going to a psychiatrist after joining the air force. bad idea?

I am going to basic training in this coming may and I have been wanting to go see a psychiatrist for the past three or four years. Would the air force know after I have enlisted if i am seeing a psychiatrist and if so could i be discharged. I would only be going to sort through some self esteem issues along with other things .but i posted a question earlier with all of my symptoms and people started talking about manic depressive disorders and depression and some even bi-polar. If i got diagnosed with any of these things what would happen? and if the outcome of being diagnosed would be discharge would just going to therapy be different or better?

Heather H

My husband was diagnosed with a form of PTSD and he has been seeing a psychologist most of the time and a psychiatrist occasionally for meds. I am also seeing both.

I don't think you'd get in any trouble. They may inform your unit if you are thinking about suicide, or killing someone, or something like that. But I think for the most part, the military wants you to be fit physically, spiritually, and mentally.

Ask your NCO at your first unit before making an appointment, but I'm sure they'd let you go.

The military has Chaplains, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, etc for you to talk to on Base.

CeciliaM

Considering Yggdrasil's experience in this very field in the Air Force, I'll throw my support to his answer.

Diego

unless u were a danger to yourself or other then there would be no reason for them to kick you out, the military spends a lot of money on training its service members to kick them out for something like low self esteem or depression or even bipolar. As far as your self esteem issues concern, the best way to deal with them is for you to actively engage them by engaging in activities which will not only keep your mind occupied but also have some type of improvement in whatever area is troubling your self esteem the most I.E. If you think your body doesnt look the way you want it to then go to the gym and work out or run to get in shape or if you think youre not smart enough take college classes or learn something new like a new language or skill. Hope I heped. Remember that what you do dictates who you are so the more you do the more you can be proud of and vice versa.

Tenacious G

Depending on your job it may or may not matter. If you are in a position that requires a security clearance than you better not go if you do not absolutely need to go. When they do your background investigation they will find out and you may not be granted a clearance.

Go to basic first and the experience and the new atmosphere may be all you needed. Everyone has their own issues and going to a shrink because some people on Yahoo said so may screw up your opportunities in your military career.

Solarice

I think if you go to a doctor off-base you'd be in the clear.

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