Pilots and depression: What to do?

[brianjohn]

Anybody out there have to deal with it before? With medication? I know the FAA is very clear that you lose your medical if you are diagnosed with it and have to take meds.
Suppose (hopefully so) you realize life is more important that flying, so you get treated and take medication. You properly report it and you know you CURRENTLY cannot get a medical. Typically how long does it take before they let you get one back? I'm assuming you have to be off the meds for awhile first.
I had a friend years ago who dealt with it and was on meds for a year or so. If memory serves correcty he had to fight for several years post medication before they let him get a medical.
So what's the best way to go about it? Any help is appreciated, but especially from those who have dealt with it before while trying not to jeopardize their flying career.
Thanks

 

[Axel]

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[air cowboy]

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wtf??

 

[Clear-&aMillion]

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[FlyFlyFly]

The best cure for depression is to change your habits. Adopt the habit of frequent exercise and practice taking charge of your thoughts and outlook. If you are looking at taking medication, you may consider some hard work on your own first.

IMHO, the drug companies have done an outstanding job of selling most folks on the idea that happiness comes in a pill.

 

[dojetdriver]

IMHO, the drug companies have done an outstanding job of selling most folks on the idea that happiness comes in a pill.

Unless it's viagra.

 

[PacoPollo]

are you FFDO? Become one It might help!

 

[RCA]

When I was suffering from depression the only thing that made me feel better was to go fly. When flying I use to think of nothing else except the task at hand. I can remember landing and having all the feelings come back to mind.

 

[pullmyfinger]

Try lots of excercise and lay off the alchohol if you drink. Do a google search on 5-HTP and see if it might help you out. Its a cheap supplement, available at places like GNC.

You would be amazed at what the excercise alone can do though.

 

[MQAAord]

There's a very good book by David Burns called "Feeling Good". It talks in great depth about how to change your thought process. Treating depression with changing your mindset instead of drugs. I had a mild bought of depression that I've fought successfully with these thought processes.

Personally, I suggest keeping mum to docs and your AME about depression, and giving his techniques a try. If they do not help, or if your depression is serious enough that you're contemplating suicide (as in having serious suicidal thoughts, a suicide plan worked out etc) then seek professional medical help immediately and worry about your medical later.

There's a lot to be depressed about in our industry lately. A study I read somewhere said that the most common issues among pilots post-9/11 has been depression and sleep disturbances/issues.



edit to add: The excercise quotient is HUGE too. It's amazing what even 30 minutes a few times a week can do to help.

 

[justthewife]

Some people, in addition to having success with 5-HTP, also have good luck with omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil). You can get it at Costco. Just be sure to take it at night, otherwise you get fish burps in the day that are pretty gross...

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Oh how I disagree with some of the above. Some of you have absolutly no clue what you are talking about.

A brief history of me. Clinically diagnosed manic in 94 due to a heridetary chemical imbalance. Sorry, Diet Excercise, flying, having sex, sorry, nothing would cure it but a chemical cocktail of meds i.e. prozac trazadone and paxil. and some group therapy. I was a sophmore in H.S. at the time. Really no way to deal with it except counseling and medication. What I did, was took the meds they gave me, it took a while but after a while i improved and the Doc gave me a placebo for the last few months all was well, i went off the meds.

Applying for medical, well, it was a nightmare. I eventually contacted the Flight Surgeon in OKC after 6 months of fighting the FAA. I had been off the meds for 9 months when I finally and his approaval. Every medical i apply for I put all that down with the no change comment.

Here is where it can get tricky. I did it legal, didn't lie.....If you are currently flying and taking this medication you best not get caught. Off the record I know of some of my coworkers that take stuff and don't report it on the medical application. If caught, more then likely it would be a bad thing. Its always an option. If you think you can go with out the meds try it, if you cant well, then its time to stop flying for a while.

PM me, I don't care to discuss alot of the details in an open forum.

 

[FN FAL]

A frown is just smile turned upside down.

Maybe you just think you're depressed.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

A frown is just smile turned upside down.

Maybe you just think you're depressed.

I take this very personal due to my history which was nothing I had control over, depression is a much more serious thing then you think. Its like alcholosim or anything else. If your not in the club you just don't understand and cant comprehend the mentality, but you have no clue what its like, how powerful it is and how sometimes you have no control. Show a little more empathy, these things are serious problems and should be treated with respect. Im not an alcholic by any means, but I can empathize because I know how powerful the mind can be. People are sick and you make comments like that, what are we supposed to do, just wake and be has happy and cheerful as you. Sorry, doesn't work that way.

 

[FN FAL]

I take this very personal due to my history which was nothing I had control over, depression is a much more serious thing then you think. Its like alcholosim or anything else. If your not in the club you just don't understand and cant comprehend the mentality, but you have no clue what its like, how powerful it is and how sometimes you have no control. Show a little more empathy, these things are serious problems and should be treated with respect. Im not an alcholic by any means, but I can empathize because I know how powerful the mind can be. People are sick and you make comments like that, what are we supposed to do, just wake and be has happy and cheerful as you. Sorry, doesn't work that way.

Sorry, I wasn't talking to you Lrjt...just asking the guy if he "thinks" he's depressed.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

no harm no foul, i had a bad day. Sorry

 

[FN FAL]

no harm no foul, i had a bad day. Sorry

I can dig it...no need to apologize, you were just explaining yourself and your situation.

 

[Wyatt]

Pilots and depression: what to do?

Gettin laid more often usually works for me.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Pilots and depression: what to do?

Gettin laid more often usually works for me.

Well, once again no tact what so ever from our comrades in the flying community. Ignorence is bliss boss. And excuse the spelling, cause im on the road to aclholism with the FAA these days, whatever they can do to make me as miserable of a controller as possible they will do but have some respect for the matter. I resent your comments because even though I didn't start this thread I take this crap seriously because its part of who I am, what I have been and who I am now. While your comments I'm sure were meant to be humorous becasue women are my crutch I find it disrespectful and not a whole lot offends or upsets me, but I've been in the depressed world, I battle it every day of my life and people like you who have no F'n clue make your remarks and think your cute and funny. Well I have a comment for you. F... You!

 

[pilothouston123]

see below for .02