Hangar Talk: Expert Forums: Medicine (ARCHIVE): Disease: Psychiatry / Psychology
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My son has a mild case of turettes syndrome. He is not taking any
medication. Can he get a physical and privot pilots certificate? Frank
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Yes it is possible, but he would have to present to the FAA, a report
from his doctor indicating his diagnosis and current status. Most
pyschiatric medications are not FAA approved.
Dr. Roberts
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I am currently taking 100 mg of Zoloft and would like to learn to become a pilot.
Is this medication approved? Thanks. Barbara
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Zoloft, along with other antidepressants is not approved by the FAA, as it
is mind-altering in some patients. Interestingly, the FAA has no position on
the use of herbs (to include St. John's Wort). You would have to be off the
Zoloft for at least 90 days, prior to consideration.
Dr. Roberts
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I had my FAA physical last week for a class III. In the past I have had treatment
for acute situational depression following the death of a parent. I was treated
with a tricyclic anti-depressant. I was released from treatment and have been
off of all medication for over five years. I presented a letter stating this
from the treating facility to my examining FAA physician. Would it be helpful to
present my entire treatment records to the FAA? My physician's office offered to
provide any and all records. Do you know if these are typically requested, and
if I should obtain them now in anticipation of the FAA's request? PS: The FAA MD
examined and measured my abdominal scars (appendix, gallbladder!) Is this the
norm? I don't see it mentioned in these forums. Thanks for the opportunity to
ask these questions! Laura
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Situational depression is usually not a problem, but you will need to submit
a current status report from your doctor indicating that the situation has
passed, and that you are off all medications.
Is your pilot medical certificate in jeopardy?
See my website at www.flightsurgeon.com
Dr. Roberts
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I have been taking Limbitrol (1 tab/day) for 5 years to control mild anxiety/depression. The
doctor has suggested stopping the medication for several months now. If I stop for 90 days and get
a note stating that the condition is cleared, what are my chances for a 3rd class certificate?
Thanks for you time, Rich
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As long as you are apply to get a favorable letter from your treating physician, the FAA will
probably issue you your medical certificate.
Dr. Roberts
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I have had a couple anxiety attacks. I've seen a therapist and have it undercontrol am I legal to
fly. I currently hold a medical that is not expired. Kelly
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No, it is not legal. Technically, you are grounded until the anxiety is resolved through treatment.
Then, you must submit a letter from your therapist stating your current status. Make sure that
letter states that no medication was neeeded during treatment, if that was indeed the
case.
Dr. Roberts
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I am a 25yr old male and am looking to get my pilots license. As a child I was diagnosed with
ADD and was taking ritalin for a few years. I'm no longer on the medication and I am wondering
if it will disqualify me from getting my license even though I'm not taking it anymore.
Thank you for your time. JOE
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No, it will not disqualify you from getting your, license but you will need to give your examiner
a letter from your doctor stating that the ADD is no longer a factor and is under control
without requiring anymedications.
Dr. Roberts
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I am a recovering alchoholic. I have been sober 2 years in AA. What do I need in the way of
documentation to renew my 2nd class medical after 7 years? kelly
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The FAA requires about two years of sobriety. You will need to give your AME a letter from your
sponsor as well as any medical records from any in-patient treatment center.
SkyDoc
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After a person has a known suicide attempt on record, what would that person have to do to get
at least a class three medical back. How long does this usually take? Ed
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There is no one pat answer for your question. It will require a special issuance, issued on a case
by case basis. You will have to submit all your records and a report from your treating doctor.
SkyDoc
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A friend is facing severe, on-going situational stress that can last over a year. His coping skills
are maxing out. He won't get medication (Zoloft) and/or psychotherapy because he fears jeopardizing
renewal of his medical after the situation is resolved. He has grounded himself now. Are his fears
justified? Barbara
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The FAA does not approve any anti-depressants. But, they have no postion on St. Johns Wort. He
can always go on Zoloft until the situation resolves, then go off this medicine for three months...
and probably resolve flying, with FAA approval.
Dr. Roberts
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I've been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, I am on medications, but I am symptom free as long as I
comply to the meds, I lost my medical, and I've asked for reconsideration. My doctor's have agreed
to provide any documentation necessary. I'm not a "risk", but, being a medical
professional myself, I don't understand the fear over medications, since they control symptoms.
Do I stand any chance of getting a 3rd class? I believe that any pilot who doesn't feel safe at
the controls, wouldn't be at the controls. Thanks, Kolin
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Bipolar disease, or manic depression is not looked upon favorably by the FAA primarily because it
is characterized by extreme "mood swings". Lithium is usually used for treatment, which
can be mind-altering.
Dr. Roberts
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Does a past suicide attempt necessarily disqualify one from obtaining a first class medical
certificate?
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Usually, yes. But there are mitigating factors such as the circumstance and age of the
attempt, treatment, response to treatment, etc. You will need to submit a summary letter
from your psychiatrist, and request a special issuance on a case by case basis.
SkyDoc
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Hey Doc., I am a 25yr old male being treated for depression with paxil. I've also been
diagnosed with ADD but have not yet chosen a treatment. Will these conditions prevent me
from obtaining a medical certificate for my private? If so how long? Any suggestions?
Thank You!
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As long as you are on Paxil, you cannot fly. You may be able to resume flying
after being off the medication for several months, assuming you submit to you AME
a letter from your treating doctor stating same, and stating that the depression
is resolved.
Doc
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I have recently been put on Paxil, 10 mg daily, for moderate depression. I am in
counseling and expect to be off the Paxil in 3-4 months. Will this affect my
ability to get a student license/3rd class medical and if so, how long do I need
to be off the Paxil before I can get my medical?
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You will need to be off the medication for three months and you will need a
letter from your Dr. indicating that you are off medications (and for how long),
and that the depression has resolved.
Doc
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Can a pilot with ADD treated with dexedrine and zoloft get a medical?
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You need to go to a new psychiatrist, who will indicate that you are off all
meds, and that you currently dont suffer from depression or ADD. It would
help if that psyciatrist also sends along psych testing to support his
position, such as an MMPI test.
Doc
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I went through post traumatic stress syndrome and agoraphobia after an air crash.
I was treated with medication and therapy. I've been released with the OK from my
doctors. Should there be any problem getting my first class medical back? Dave
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You will have to have your doctor(s)send in letters indicating
that the syndrome is essentially behind you, and that it was due to one
incident, and that you are off all medications. The FAA will then consider issuance.
Doc
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Dr. Roberts, I'm 30 and considering a career change. I've been treated for
depression for around 4 years. My medications have been Prozac, Effexor, and
currently Remeron. I'm talking with my doctor about going off the medicine since
I am stable. My question is, will this keep me from getting a medical
certificate, first, second, or third class? Will this keep me from a career as a
pilot? Thanks for your time. Kevin
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You can not get a medical as long as you are on medications. The FAA will probably
require that you be off all medications and symptom free for several months.
Doc
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Dear Dr. Roberts, I'm a 36 year old private pilot who experienced 1 year ago a
severe nervous breakdown due to high job stress. Although I tried to relax
immediately, my sleep pattern got very bad in the following days and I had to
spend 3 weeks in a hospital. Diagnosis was atypical psychosis with paranoia and
delusions. Medication was Stelazine and Cogentin. After spending 6 months off
the job I'm now back to work and feeling "normal". The psychiatrist also
thinks I will be healthy again. What are the chances to get a special issuance?
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Extremely low at this point in time. Your best bet is to wait
several years and document that the problem is behind you. You can then
apply for a special issuance.
Doc
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I am a pre-op transexual, taking hormones to suppress testosterone, and soon due for
surgery to convert to post-op status. What do I do to keep flying? Margie
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You will need to submit letters and test results from a
psychiatrist, your endocrinologist, as well as your operating surgeon.
Give these letters to your AME, and he will defer to the FAA for a
special issuance.
Stephen
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I am being treated for panic disorder, with therapy and 10mg of Paxil a day, as well as
Tenormin to stabalize my heart rate. Am I legal to fly and if not what do I need to do
to be legal. Jim
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No, you cannot get a medical certificate if you have panic
disorder syndrome, either with or without Paxil.
Doc
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Dr. Roberts, How will mild depression effect my chance of obtaining a third class medical
certificate? I have been taking taking Prozac for six months, and I am coming of it.
Gregory
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The depression alone depends on the degree. All of us have some
depression from time to time, as an example. But if you have what we
call clinical depression, it can be disqualifying, especially if it
requires medications to control or treat it. If you have depression that
is being treated without medications (such as depression from death of a
loved one, or divorce, loss of job, etc.), you can apply for a special
issuance, with a letter from whomever is treating you. Prozac patients
cannot fly until off the medication for a few months.
Doc
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What effect does Adult Attention Deficit Disorder and its therapeutic medications such
as Wellbutrin, Ritalin, Adderal, etc. have on attaining or retaining a pilot or
medical certificate and exercising their privileges? Frank
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ADD is eligible for a special issuance. However, the
medications used are not approved for use while flying.
Doc
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A stop smoking program that I'm participating in has suggested the use of Zyban as an
aid. What are the effects to my second class medical or capacity for acting as PIC
while taking this drug? Do I have to disclose use of the drug on my next or any
future medical exams? Thanks!
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To the best of my knowledge, Zyban is not an FAA approved drug.
Doc
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I have a history of Depression and have taken a number of different antidepressants. I currently take a single antidepressant now which seems to moderate my mood. Even when I am not taking the meds, I can still function well in life and I have no problem performing at work or at any other task, I am fully functional and most people would be shocked to find that I deal with this. I do find though, that I am much happier when I take the Serzone. I have never had any effects from this drug that would cause me any concern over flying - it doesn't seem to impair me in the least, yet the FAA says no medical and this has
been intensely frustrating to me - partially because it doesn't seem to make sense. What is the medical rational behind grounding all pilots that take an antidepressant? Is there any chance that I could get a waiver? Is there any way around choosing to either fly or stay on the medication? Is there any other place that I could get information on this? Thank you
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There is no chance for a waiver. But, if you were to go off the medications for at least three months, and later apply, submitting a letter from your doctor stating that you have progressed, and no longer need the medications, there is a possibility.
Dr. Roberts
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