Question and advice regarding medical exam and depression

[Tmcdchef87]

Hey all, hoping a veteran can help me.

When my wife arrived to Canada for an inland sponsorship, she unfortunately experienced some culture shock and went through a thick bout of depression again (she has been taking them for awhile and had it under control), including some suicidal thoughts. We went to a family doctor in Feb (she has a Alberta health card) and they took all of her information. She also has anxiety problems. All was under control 'til this bout happened again, understandably so as she gave up her good job, family, etc to be here with me.

She was put on new medication and all is great now. She is very stable.

Anyways, my wife did her medical today. The doctor asked if she had depression problems and she said yes, she had another depression bout when she arrived here and was put on medication but she is fine now. That was that, the doctor never asked her further questions and the whole appointment took less than 10 minutes.

She did, however, forget to disclose that she has anxiety problems, including the odd panic attack (probably twice a year) probably because she can be anxious and forgot. The irony. She told me when she was in the car and feels like she lied but didnt mean to and feels bad.

Couple questions,

1.) Obviously this wouldnt raise a red flag with her depression would it? Lots of people on here have had depression problems I assume and have been put on meds. Shes never attempted suicide or been hospitalized before.

2.) Would her not saying she is anxious cause any problems? I assume the doctor can pull up her medical from the family doctor she is currently seeing.

She obviously wouldnt be a burden on the healthcare system at all. She's a stable woman who unfortunately has a couple problems every now and then.

Am I overthinking? Or is this a cause for concern?

Thanks

 

[21Goose]

Doesn't sound like an issue. She disclosed her medical conditions. As a spouse of a citizen or a PR, she is exempt from the excessive demand clause.

The two things that apply are "endanger public health", "endanger public safety" and there's no signs of that based on what you say.

Tell her to not worry about it.

 

[Tmcdchef87]

Doesn't sound like an issue. She disclosed her medical conditions. As a spouse of a citizen or a PR, she is exempt from the excessive demand clause.

The two things that apply are "endanger public health", "endanger public safety" and there's no signs of that based on what you say.

Tell her to not worry about it.

Thanks Goose. She never told the immigration doctor about her old suicidal thoughts (back in Feb) /anxiety tho. But the immigration doctor only asked if she had depression before, to which she replied yes she currently has it and was prescribed anti depressants here in Canada in January. The doctor didnt ask any more questions after that, hence why she felt like she was "lying", because the family doctor she is currently seeing knows all this information. Just wanted to clarify.

 

[21Goose]

Thanks Goose. She never told the immigration doctor about her old suicidal thoughts/anxiety tho. But the immigration doctor only asked if she had depression before, to which she replied yes she currently has it and was prescribed anti depressants here in Canada in January. But the doctor didnt ask any more questions after that, hence why she felt like she was "lying."

Nah, the doctor asked the necessary questions and she answered honestly. If he had concerns he would have asked more questions.

He’s a trained professional and knows how to get the truth when needed - pretty much every human being underplays their medical history!

So, since she was completely honest and answered all the questions sincerely, don’t worry about not volunteering information. Once again, the doc would have asked if he had concerns.

 

[Tmcdchef87]

Oops. Sorry Goose, I was not specific. The immigration doctor did ask her if she had depression/anxiety problems but she just specified depression (sorry, mistype). They provide the same medication for depression and anxiety anyways so she felt like it was the same thing. Hence me asking. Probably not a big deal. Not like she was lying about having TB or something like that.

Nah, the doctor asked the necessary questions and she answered honestly. If he had concerns he would have asked more questions.

He’s a trained professional and knows how to get the truth when needed - pretty much every human being underplays their medical history!

So, since she was completely honest and answered all the questions sincerely, don’t worry about not volunteering information. Once again, the doc would have asked if he had concerns.

 

[21Goose]

Oops. Sorry Goose, I was not specific. The immigration doctor did ask her if she had anxiety problems but she said no (sorry, mistype). She was so anxious that she accidentally didn't tell her. Big deal?

Ok that’s slightly different. I still wouldn’t worry about it too much though.

Doctors are used to patients being less than completely honest and again, the doctor would need to feel like she presents a danger to public safety for this to be an issue.

 

[canuck78]

Considering tons of people purposely avoid telling the panel physician about many conditions she is fine. As previously mentioned there is no medical inadmissability clause for spousal sponsorship. Getting out and meeting some friends or getting a job will hopefully help her adjust to Canada. Getting involved and out of the house certainly helps take your mind off your previously life as well as help you establish your new life.

 

[Tmcdchef87]

Thanks very much you two. Appreciate your input. As per what she told me, she thought depression and anxiety were the same thing since she is issued the same medication anyways, hence her just saying yes to depression after we spoke about it further. Then she started to get panicky saying she should of stated she has anxiety issues too. I told her it's not a big deal and to put her mind at ease I figured I would post here.

Had no idea about my wife being exempt. Good to know. And my wife is doing much better. We are gonna fly her sister and family down here soon for some reunification.

Cheers.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

2.) Would her not saying she is anxious cause any problems? I assume the doctor can pull up her medical from the family doctor she is currently seeing.

Not an issue and the Panel Physician does not have access to her medical file.

 

[Tmcdchef87]

Not an issue and the Panel Physician does not have access to her medical file.

Interesting. I'm not worried but curious, Canuck, a panel physician has zero access to her medical files even if she has provided an Alberta health care number? I assume that there would be an ROI (release of information) in the forms you sign with the panel physician.

Anyways, I showed my wife everyone's comments and she feels better now. She's the most honest person I have ever met (as you can see) and hates being even slightly dishonest.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Interesting. I'm not worried but curious, Canuck, a panel physician has zero access to her medical files even if she has provided an Alberta health care number? I assume that there would be an ROI (release of information) in the forms you sign with the panel physician.

Anyways, I showed my wife everyone's comments and she feels better now. She's the most honest person I have ever met (as you can see) and hates being even slightly dishonest.

It doesn't matter that she gave her health care number. Panel Physicians simply perform the medical, as per IRCC's requirements. They don't even review the results and make determinations. That is done by IRCC doctors at Regional Medical Offices.

 

[canuck78]

Thanks very much you two. Appreciate your input. As per what she told me, she thought depression and anxiety were the same thing since she is issued the same medication anyways, hence her just saying yes to depression after we spoke about it further. Then she started to get panicky saying she should of stated she has anxiety issues too. I told her it's not a big deal and to put her mind at ease I figured I would post here.

Had no idea about my wife being exempt. Good to know. And my wife is doing much better. We are gonna fly her sister and family down here soon for some reunification.

Cheers.

Don't want to burst her bubble but getting many families a TRV may be difficult especially her sister. All depends on what ties they can show to their home country and their finances. Depending on her age her sister will be considered independently.

 

[Tmcdchef87]

Don't want to burst her bubble but getting many families a TRV may be difficult especially her sister. All depends on what ties they can show to their home country and their finances. Depending on her age her sister will be considered independently.

Just for a visit, Canuck. They are not gonna stay here long term. A couple weeks. They are from Mexico. Shouldnt be a problem.

 

[canuck78]

Just for a visit, Canuck. They are not gonna stay here long term. A couple weeks. They are from Mexico. Shouldnt be a problem.

Issue is that CIC may want you to do a TRV not supervisa if they are only staying for a few weeks and they won't qualify.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Issue is that CIC may want you to do a TRV not supervisa if they are only staying for a few weeks and they won't qualify.

Mexico is visa-exempt.