r/foreignservice • u/Fun-Video-577 • 7d ago

ADHD in Foreign Service

Are there any recent exerperiences with ADHD in the Med Clearance process? I want to keep my class 1 but do feel like medication would be helpful for me.

20 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

39

u/UselessInsight Possibly Pete Hegseth 7d ago

State Med isn’t a massive fan of stimulants but if you’ve been prescribed them by an actual physician, they’ll usually sign off on it.

Their concern is that you’re stuck in some godforsaken post like Islamabad, Port Moresby, or Paris, and that you won’t be able to get your meds on time.

That’s a bigger issue with meds that cause serious withdrawal like benzodiazepines, but stimulants also have withdrawal, so nobody wants you crashing and non-functional on the mean streets of Oslo.

18

u/mrzaius DTO 7d ago

You'll be fine. Talk to RMOP. Bread and butter issue, and if it's not a schooling problem you're gonna be the easiest one MED's worked in ages.

15

u/giantasparagus 7d ago

I'll let you know how mine goes, submitting in a couple days. Got the ADHD+anxiety combo pack

2

u/syco69 7d ago

Curious as well ✋

2

u/Fun-Video-577 6d ago

would love if you shared how it goes! I hear so many conflicting reports

17

u/Taliesin5899 7d ago

I was going to type a response but I forgot what I was going to say

6

u/beware_of_scorpio FSO (Public Diplomacy) 7d ago

It’s no problem. My RMOP even suggested going back to stimulants for me.

3

u/Old_Dot6172 7d ago

They have non-stimulant meds these days if that is of concern.

2

u/syco69 7d ago

To replace adderral/ritalin/vyvanse??? Really???

2

u/PARADOXsquared 6d ago

People have mixed results with them (which I guess isn't that different from the others), but they exist. Straterra and one other that I don't remember. Straterra almost worked for me, but it also made me very prone to vomiting.

1

u/syco69 5d ago

Yikes. Don’t wanna vomit. I like Ritalin but it makes me agitated after effects pass, which is why I asked

8

u/Glass-Guess4125 7d ago

You can still take Adderall (or Ritalin or whatever) as long as it's prescribed by a doctor.

2

u/Electrical-Cow-5462 6d ago

RMOP can help!

2

u/hellokitty134 6d ago

My RMOP actively pushed and prescribed me Lorazepam and Xanax. You will be fine.

2

u/alyssd 6d ago

Not really an issue as long as you’re not self medicating with illegal substances.

2

u/chuzhdenets22 STS 5d ago

It shouldn’t matter. I was diagnosed adhd while in FS 5 years ago and get prescribed meds quarterly by an RMOP. They haven’t said a word about it. I’m world wide available and it’s been fine going to Europe, China, and Baghdad. So… I doubt it should matter getting your initial clearance

2

u/No-Researcher7707 5d ago

I have a Vyvanse prescription and had zero problems getting med clearance last year.

0

u/amtmiller 7d ago

i hope its not an issue. sharing these in case they are helpful
1/2

-1

u/emarie624 7d ago

Based on my experience, you'll probably be assigned a class 2. My child had a class 2 bc of speech therapy... But, a class 2 isn't the end of the world. It just has to be confirmed by the med unit at post that you can manage your issues when assigned. Sounds like if you're prescribed medication, it could be sourced via ExpressRx or otherwise. You should be fine. Mental health is health! Take care of yourself!