Counseling and the FAA Medical and Job Implications

[Goose Egg]

Hey all,

In this thread, I am going to be much more forthcoming than I would prefer, since I'll be revealing some personal information. But, since this is an anonymous forum, I guess I can do so without too much worry.

Background, the short version:

I was adopted at birth, and I because of that I have some fairly significant abandonment/attachment issues (this is not uncommon for adoptees.) I am at that age when a young man's thoughts turn to marriage and family, but I am having some real difficulty allowing any type of relationship to happen because I can't form an emotional attachment--I won't allow myself to.

And so I realize that before I can get married and have a family--two things that I sincerely desire--I must get these issues of mine ironed out. But I don't know how to fix this, and I think that I may need to get some counseling to help me get things figured out. I'm not depressed, and I don't need any medication. I just want to be able to be in a relationship without fear of being abandoned.

So the main question is, what implications would going to counseling have on my medical? What would potential employers think about that?

This has been a pretty big issue in my life for the last month, and I feel like it is time to start taking some action. Any help or advice that you all may have would be welcomed.

-Goose

 

[pilotyip]

Before you start, talk to an AME you can trust and ask him what he implications of this would be.

 

[PC12Cowboy]

Goose.
how long have you known???
I am also adopted and have known from an age where I could comprehend the concept.....
Just remember this...your parents and mine Choose US....they had the option...and we are better for the fact that they gave us the best life they could.....Brother, It will be all right and the people you love can help you with those feelings.....
Kevin
PM if you would like to talk off the boards

 

[LearLove]

If you want to seek counceling just do it outside of your AME and don't put anything down on your medical app. Your not getting help for issues pertaining to flying like depression ect. The more you don't say the better off you are. Don't even mention it to your AME or any interviewer, that stuff is your private life, again it has nothing to do with flying.

Wish you the best of luck

 

[hawg2hawk]

Goose.
how long have you known???
I am also adopted and have known from an age where I could comprehend the concept.....
Just remember this...your parents and mine Choose US....they had the option...and we are better for the fact that they gave us the best life they could.....Brother, It will be all right and the people you love can help you with those feelings.....
Kevin
PM if you would like to talk off the boards

Same.

 

[PC12Cowboy]

Hawg,
Welcome also

 

[sqwkvfr]

How about this:

Do you attend or are you a member of a church or faith-based organization?

Perhaps seeking help through your church might be kind of an "off the books" way of getting support or counseling.

If that doesn't help, --or you are not religious-- then cross this bridge.

 

[DenverDude2002]

I'm the same at goose and PC12. Same issues to. I did the whole meds thing to. The only that has helped in the 20 years of my life was meeting a girl who understands and cares and shes been the best thing that ever happened to me. Showed me someone does care and love me and wants to be there for me and wants me to be ok and be there for them. Im proud to say she is my fiance now and said yes before I could even finish proposing.Hey PC/goose, shoot me a msg when you get a chance, wouldnt mind talking with ya sometime. Or msg me yahoo/aim.

 

[GogglesPisano]

What would potential employers think about that?

-Goose

Potential employers should never ask. They may ask if you've ever been denied a medical or if it was ever revoked -- but they can't ask an invasive, medical question like, "have you ever attended mental-health conselling?"

 

[TurboS7]

That has nothing to do with flying. Unless you are worried about spinning into a major depression when your crew abandons you at the bar because you were drunk and were hitting on all the guys and girls. Grow up.

 

[Doug]

Looking at the latest HIPAA laws, it seems that unless you are to disclose it, legally there is no way your employer or whoever should know you are seeking counseling. It is illegal for a physician to disclose you are a patient, unless it involves FMLA or Workmans comp. And if the physician did disclose the info...the lawsuit would be so large you will no longer need to worry about employment

Again, check the latest HIPAA, things have changed a lot over the last year.

 

[shamrock]

That has nothing to do with flying. Unless you are worried about spinning into a major depression when your crew abandons you at the bar because you were drunk and were hitting on all the guys and girls. Grow up.

Just the kind of constructive advice we've all come to expect on FlightInfo.

 

[wrxpilot]

That has nothing to do with flying. Unless you are worried about spinning into a major depression when your crew abandons you at the bar because you were drunk and were hitting on all the guys and girls. Grow up.

Classy...

 

[JohnDoe]

Yep, just the kind of post we would expect from him.

 

[PC12Cowboy]

turbo...you never fail to impress..............






so you should grow up

 

[ifly4food]

My friend, don't worry about your medical. Do what you feel is best for yourself and your family.

Attending counseling of any kind will have no bearing on your medical. You should not report it at all.

"Clinical Depression" is a medical term and is a disqualifying condition for a medical certificate. Though this doesn't seem to be what you describe, it is something that widely affects pilots in the industry and is commonly treated without anyone from the FAA knowing.

 

[flyfastinmy10]

I'm not sure but counceling is just talking. No drugs or diagnosis. I would look at your last medical form to see if that is a listed item. If it's not specifically listed or vague, your good to go.
As far as disclosing it if required, that's a personal decision. Everyone here is more than willing to tell you what they would do and expect you to do the same.
You need to deceide what's best for you and justify your decision to yourself. The FAA or any employer will never find out unless there is a major incident or accident and they get court approval. If it gets to that point your in so much trouble that it will not matter.
Good luck and remember we ALL have issues of some sort.

 

[Goose Egg]

Thanks all for the responses. This really helps. PC-12, Hawg, Denver, expect a PM.

-Goose

 

[bobbysamd]

Counseling

Before you start, talk to an AME you can trust and ask him what he implications of this would be.

Do not talk to an AME. In these situations they are not to be trusted. AMEs are the FAA's industrial physicians, and are beholden to its interests, not yours. Try AOPA or www.leftseat.com.

As far as obtaining counseling goes, and, bearing in mind 14 CFR 61.53, prohibitions on operations during medical deficiency, I have heard that obtaining counseling is fine as long as you are not exercising the privileges of your medical.

I second the comments about HIPAA imposing significant restrictions on the release of medical records. Try searching HIPAA with Google. I found this link to some information about records release practices.

Good luck.

 

[Goose Egg]

As far as obtaining counseling goes, and, bearing in mind 14 CFR 61.53, prohibitions on operations during medical deficiency, I have heard that obtaining counseling is fine as long as you are not exercising the privileges of your medical.

Thanks for the input, Bobby. I don't think that 61.53 would really apply in my case because what I'm working through definitely isn't "medical," and it really isn't even "mental" either. It's emotional. Like I said, I'm not depressed--my life in almost all areas is actually pretty good. It's just that this is a sticky spot that is keeping me from being as happy as I could be.

And actually, the counseling that I would attend is administered by a social service organization within my church (as someone suggested earlier), and is not performed by anyone with the title of "Dr." And I'm not talking about "years of therapy" here. I just need a few ideas of how to go about relationships better--ideas from someone who actually knows what they are talking about. I could probably figure out all the stuff I needed to by myself; it would just take a little longer.

If a psyche is a room, then I'm not trying to remodel. I just need a little help choosing a coffee table to go with the new big screen.

-Goose

 

[DenverDude2002]

Anyone on here who was adopted message me, I just talked to my birthmom for the first time yesterday and adoptees curious as to what its like or want info message me

 

[Goose Egg]

Dang, I had forgotten about this thread completely. Anyway, as an update, I opted against counseling--I think it'd be overkill. It fact, life has gotten so busy that I forgot about the idea of contacting my birth mother entirely, and that fact that I was even adopted went out of mind for a while. I'm dating a cool girl at the moment. The relationship isn't perfect, but I'm not trying to sabotage anything, so that's good at least. I'm taking things one day at a time. Things are going well. I'm in a much better state of mind than I was when I started the thread.

-Goose

 

[Daveman]

Good for you Goose egg. Hey bro', NO relationship is perfect. If someone tells you otherwise, they're a LIAR! Wish ya well bro'.

 

[bobbysamd]

I opted against counseling--I think it'd be overkill . . . . Things are going well. I'm in a much better state of mind than I was when I started the thread.

All things considered regarding your FAA health matters, you made the right decision.

Good luck for the future.