Groundpounder
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Pilots and depression: What to do?
- Thread starter brianjohn
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LowlyPropCapt
PBR For Life, and Beyond!
- Joined
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sky37d said:
I am so sorry you lost your son. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child... The mere thought makes me shudder. I am very happy to hear that flying helped you deal with your grief. I too have used flying as a "balm for the soul" when things weren't so hot.
Everything you said is true. However, we have to remember that grief or being upset over something is not the same as clinical depression. Clinical depression is a disease, one which sometimes REQUIRES pharmacological intervention for a person to get well (along with counseling and lifestyle changes, etc.). Traumatic events can trigger episodes of severe depression, but from what I have been told by people who ought to know (I am no medico, thats for sure) many times these people were already depressed to some degree.
Sky37d: Please do not take my above comments as minimizing in anyway the pain you felt after the loss of your son. I know that grief feels terrible, and your's must have been especially soul rending. I just feel a distinction needs to be drawn between the DISEASE of depression and FEELING depressed. We through that term around a lot without understanding what it really is, I think.
FN FAL
Freight Dawgs Rule
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Lrjtcaptain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2002
- Posts
- 927
hey wayatt. If you didn't read my post complelty you would understand a few things. I dont spout off about airline crap so dont spout off at me. bottom line, we all work together, if you think i shouldn't be a controller come to my airspace. If you are courtous and follow my rules its a damn fine place to fly, im a pilot and you want more pilot controllers out there. I don't take it out on the radio i take it out on here. Peace....Be nice to your controllers.
Fly safe.
Fly safe.
FN FAL
Freight Dawgs Rule
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2003
- Posts
- 8,573
Gorilla said:
Yea, we're all mean. So let me ask you this one...say the kid isn't clinically depressed and doesn't suffer from the same chemical imbalance problem as LrjtCA. He then goes down to the money grubbing doctor who gets a kickback from the pharmaceutical companies for writing prescriptions for the drugs that are going to ultimately mean a loss of flying status and a paperwork trail. How is it that we're mean for suggesting that the person re-evaluate their emotional status, before they run down and see the nice drug salesman MD guy?
If I was a doctor and I had my stethoscope out and was listening to some guy going on and on about "girlfriend dumped me...boo hoo hoo...yadda yadda yadda" I'd be thinking about how many more prescriptions I was going to need to write in order to buy that new cigarette boat and say, "Yea, you're depressed..."
RockbrigadePC1
Caneman Fan
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2004
- Posts
- 103
Hope this helps:
How do I know if I need to be on medication?
Sometimes, when a person is dealing with depression or anxiety, taking medication can be helpful in managing the symptoms. Here are some signs that you might be experiencing depression or anxiety:
Symptoms of depression
? Feeling sad or irritable most of the day, nearly every day
? Loss of pleasure in usual activities
? Significant weight loss OR gain
? Difficulty falling or staying asleep OR sleeping much more than usual
? Feeling physically restless OR very slowed down
? Fatigue or loss of energy
? Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
? Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
? Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms (or ones similar to them), and they are interfering with your ability to function on a daily basis, you should talk with your counselor about whether medication might be helpful for you. For some people, counseling by itself is effective; for others, an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication is helpful in addition to counseling. Although your counselor cannot prescribe medication, s/he can help you decide whether seeking medication makes sense for you, and can help you figure out where you can go for a medication evaluation.
Why should someone consider using medication?
Medication can be a helpful addition to therapy and can speed recovery from depression, anxiety, and other psychological conditions.
Will medication change my personality?
No, but depression and anxiety can. Medication will allow your personality to come through without being as affected by your symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Isn’t it better to try to fix the problem without medication?
It is certainly a good idea to try to address your symptoms without using medication. However, you may find that your symptoms are severe enough that they keep you from implementing changes or even understanding what caused your condition. In these cases, medication can help clear your thinking, increase your energy level, and improve your overall psychological well-being, all of which will help you get to the root of the issue more easily.
Is it a sign of weakness to take medication? Am I just running away from my problems if I take medication?
No more so than if you had diabetes and took insulin. By taking medication for depression or anxiety, you are using a proven treatment for a real condition. In fact, you are facing your problems head-on by using medication and counseling to treat your symptoms.
Do a lot of other students take medication, or am I alone in this?
You are not alone. Many other students as well as people in the general population use medication to help with psychological conditions.
How can I tell if my problem is just a chemical imbalance?
There’s really no such thing as “just a chemical imbalance.” Our brain chemicals affect our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions – and our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions affect our brain chemicals. So, if you are feeling anxious or depressed, your brain chemistry is off-balance – regardless of “why” you are depressed or anxious. Thus, if you take a medication and start to feel better, it does not mean that it was “just a chemical imbalance.”
If I talk to a psychiatrist, will s/he push me into taking medication?
Your doctor will not push you into taking medication. He or she will only offer you treatment options and recommendations. The decision whether or not to use medication is ultimately yours.
Do I need to be in counseling, too? Why do I need to be in counseling if I’m on medication?
Medication helps your symptoms feel less severe, but may not address whatever caused the symptoms to emerge in the first place. Counseling may help you understand what led up to your symptoms, what you can do to help yourself feel better, and how you can prevent your symptoms from returning in the future.
Does medication work better than counseling?
Research shows that for some problems, including depression, counseling works as well as or better than medication alone. For many people, a combination of the right medication and the right kind of counseling is the best way to treat symptoms.
If I’m feeling better, should I stop coming to counseling?
You should always discuss your decision to leave counseling with your counselor before you stop coming. Often, your symptoms will show improvement when you start taking medication – and that is good! However, this should be a way for you get even more out of counseling, to address any underlying issues that led to your symptoms in the first place, to prevent symptom relapse, and to help you get to the point where medication is not required.
How does the medication work?
Medications for depression and anxiety work by affecting the chemicals in your brain that are related to your emotions and restoring these chemicals to their normal functioning. Some of the most common and effective modern medications work by allowing these chemicals to stay active in your brain for longer than they would on their own. Other classes of medication work in the brain differently.
How long will it take to work?
Most medications for depression and anxiety take at least two weeks to take effect, and some do not reach their full effects for 4-6 weeks. During this time, you should not stop taking the medication or change your dose without first talking with your physician.
How long will I have to take it?
It depends – on how severe your symptoms are, whether you are in counseling, the type of medication you are taking, and what else is going on in your life. For depression, a minimum of six months is recommended. Most people find that they are feeling much better after a few months, and can discuss tapering off the medication. You should have regular check-ups while you are on the medication to evaluate its effectiveness and discuss the duration of treatment.
Do I have to take it every day, or can I just take it when I need it?
Most medications are taken every day. Your doctor will talk with you about how a particular medication is to be taken. It is important to use the medication as your doctor directs in order to receive the full benefit and to avoid serious health problems.
Will I need to be on it for the rest of my life?
Probably not, but it is possible. Most people who suffer from depression or anxiety find that medication and counseling help them recover, and then they can stop treatment. Some people with more severe symptoms or who have a genetic predisposition may find that long-term use of medication and/or counseling is necessary.
What side effects will I experience?
It really depends on what medication you are taking. However, medications from the same drug family often have similar side effects. Some possible side effects of the most popular anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications are:
? Nausea, diarrhea, or constipation
? Dizziness
? Drowsiness
? Nervousness
? Sleep changes
? Dry mouth
? Headache
? Blurred vision
? Change in sexual interest or functioning
Not everyone experiences these side effects, and most people will experience only one or two. Also, you are most likely to experience side effects in the first three weeks of using a new medication. Usually, these symptoms are mild and tend to fade as your body gets used to being on the medication. However, if you experience side effects that are unpleasant or last more than a few weeks, you should talk with you physician about this. It may be that a different medication or dosage would work better for you.
What other changes will I have to make in my life if I go on medication?
While you are using an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety drug, you should not drink alcohol or use any other recreational drugs. Your doctor should know about any other medications that you are taking. You should plan to take the medicine at the same time every day, and you may find that you have to make adjustments to your schedule to accommodate minor side effects (such as drowsiness).
Who can prescribe medication?
Generally speaking, medical professionals are able to prescribe medication. This includes any M.D. or D.O. (such as your family physician or a psychiatrist), or Nurse Practitioners with pertinent education. In general, psychologists and counselors CANNOT prescribe medication.
How much does it cost?
Medications can be costly, but there are ways to control the expense. The cost of medication depends on several factors, including which medicine is being used and your health insurance’s prescription drug coverage. Before making a decision to go on a medication, you should find out how much your prescription co-pay is, and whether this differs based on the specific medication you are prescribed. Some medicines for psychological problems are available as generic drugs, which helps reduce the cost to you. Most people find that their health insurance covers a large part of the cost of these medications. If you have concerns about cost, you should talk with your doctor about these. In addition, you can go to www.needymeds.com for more information on managing your medication costs.
Whom should I talk with if I have more questions?
www.ulifeline.org
www.nimh.nih.gov
www.apa.org
www.mentalhealth.com
www.mentalhelp.com
www.depression.com
www.anxietynetwork.com
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Se...tManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7723
How do I know if I need to be on medication?
Sometimes, when a person is dealing with depression or anxiety, taking medication can be helpful in managing the symptoms. Here are some signs that you might be experiencing depression or anxiety:
Symptoms of depression
? Feeling sad or irritable most of the day, nearly every day
? Loss of pleasure in usual activities
? Significant weight loss OR gain
? Difficulty falling or staying asleep OR sleeping much more than usual
? Feeling physically restless OR very slowed down
? Fatigue or loss of energy
? Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
? Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
? Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms (or ones similar to them), and they are interfering with your ability to function on a daily basis, you should talk with your counselor about whether medication might be helpful for you. For some people, counseling by itself is effective; for others, an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication is helpful in addition to counseling. Although your counselor cannot prescribe medication, s/he can help you decide whether seeking medication makes sense for you, and can help you figure out where you can go for a medication evaluation.
Why should someone consider using medication?
Medication can be a helpful addition to therapy and can speed recovery from depression, anxiety, and other psychological conditions.
Will medication change my personality?
No, but depression and anxiety can. Medication will allow your personality to come through without being as affected by your symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Isn’t it better to try to fix the problem without medication?
It is certainly a good idea to try to address your symptoms without using medication. However, you may find that your symptoms are severe enough that they keep you from implementing changes or even understanding what caused your condition. In these cases, medication can help clear your thinking, increase your energy level, and improve your overall psychological well-being, all of which will help you get to the root of the issue more easily.
Is it a sign of weakness to take medication? Am I just running away from my problems if I take medication?
No more so than if you had diabetes and took insulin. By taking medication for depression or anxiety, you are using a proven treatment for a real condition. In fact, you are facing your problems head-on by using medication and counseling to treat your symptoms.
Do a lot of other students take medication, or am I alone in this?
You are not alone. Many other students as well as people in the general population use medication to help with psychological conditions.
How can I tell if my problem is just a chemical imbalance?
There’s really no such thing as “just a chemical imbalance.” Our brain chemicals affect our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions – and our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions affect our brain chemicals. So, if you are feeling anxious or depressed, your brain chemistry is off-balance – regardless of “why” you are depressed or anxious. Thus, if you take a medication and start to feel better, it does not mean that it was “just a chemical imbalance.”
If I talk to a psychiatrist, will s/he push me into taking medication?
Your doctor will not push you into taking medication. He or she will only offer you treatment options and recommendations. The decision whether or not to use medication is ultimately yours.
Do I need to be in counseling, too? Why do I need to be in counseling if I’m on medication?
Medication helps your symptoms feel less severe, but may not address whatever caused the symptoms to emerge in the first place. Counseling may help you understand what led up to your symptoms, what you can do to help yourself feel better, and how you can prevent your symptoms from returning in the future.
Does medication work better than counseling?
Research shows that for some problems, including depression, counseling works as well as or better than medication alone. For many people, a combination of the right medication and the right kind of counseling is the best way to treat symptoms.
If I’m feeling better, should I stop coming to counseling?
You should always discuss your decision to leave counseling with your counselor before you stop coming. Often, your symptoms will show improvement when you start taking medication – and that is good! However, this should be a way for you get even more out of counseling, to address any underlying issues that led to your symptoms in the first place, to prevent symptom relapse, and to help you get to the point where medication is not required.
How does the medication work?
Medications for depression and anxiety work by affecting the chemicals in your brain that are related to your emotions and restoring these chemicals to their normal functioning. Some of the most common and effective modern medications work by allowing these chemicals to stay active in your brain for longer than they would on their own. Other classes of medication work in the brain differently.
How long will it take to work?
Most medications for depression and anxiety take at least two weeks to take effect, and some do not reach their full effects for 4-6 weeks. During this time, you should not stop taking the medication or change your dose without first talking with your physician.
How long will I have to take it?
It depends – on how severe your symptoms are, whether you are in counseling, the type of medication you are taking, and what else is going on in your life. For depression, a minimum of six months is recommended. Most people find that they are feeling much better after a few months, and can discuss tapering off the medication. You should have regular check-ups while you are on the medication to evaluate its effectiveness and discuss the duration of treatment.
Do I have to take it every day, or can I just take it when I need it?
Most medications are taken every day. Your doctor will talk with you about how a particular medication is to be taken. It is important to use the medication as your doctor directs in order to receive the full benefit and to avoid serious health problems.
Will I need to be on it for the rest of my life?
Probably not, but it is possible. Most people who suffer from depression or anxiety find that medication and counseling help them recover, and then they can stop treatment. Some people with more severe symptoms or who have a genetic predisposition may find that long-term use of medication and/or counseling is necessary.
What side effects will I experience?
It really depends on what medication you are taking. However, medications from the same drug family often have similar side effects. Some possible side effects of the most popular anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications are:
? Nausea, diarrhea, or constipation
? Dizziness
? Drowsiness
? Nervousness
? Sleep changes
? Dry mouth
? Headache
? Blurred vision
? Change in sexual interest or functioning
Not everyone experiences these side effects, and most people will experience only one or two. Also, you are most likely to experience side effects in the first three weeks of using a new medication. Usually, these symptoms are mild and tend to fade as your body gets used to being on the medication. However, if you experience side effects that are unpleasant or last more than a few weeks, you should talk with you physician about this. It may be that a different medication or dosage would work better for you.
What other changes will I have to make in my life if I go on medication?
While you are using an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety drug, you should not drink alcohol or use any other recreational drugs. Your doctor should know about any other medications that you are taking. You should plan to take the medicine at the same time every day, and you may find that you have to make adjustments to your schedule to accommodate minor side effects (such as drowsiness).
Who can prescribe medication?
Generally speaking, medical professionals are able to prescribe medication. This includes any M.D. or D.O. (such as your family physician or a psychiatrist), or Nurse Practitioners with pertinent education. In general, psychologists and counselors CANNOT prescribe medication.
How much does it cost?
Medications can be costly, but there are ways to control the expense. The cost of medication depends on several factors, including which medicine is being used and your health insurance’s prescription drug coverage. Before making a decision to go on a medication, you should find out how much your prescription co-pay is, and whether this differs based on the specific medication you are prescribed. Some medicines for psychological problems are available as generic drugs, which helps reduce the cost to you. Most people find that their health insurance covers a large part of the cost of these medications. If you have concerns about cost, you should talk with your doctor about these. In addition, you can go to www.needymeds.com for more information on managing your medication costs.
Whom should I talk with if I have more questions?
www.ulifeline.org
www.nimh.nih.gov
www.apa.org
www.mentalhealth.com
www.mentalhelp.com
www.depression.com
www.anxietynetwork.com
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Se...tManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7723
whaleroast
I like cupcakes
- Joined
- May 15, 2005
- Posts
- 339
Once you accept the fact that people are greedy and will do anything to screw you over, that you are essentially an accident of existance with no meaning or purpose, that one day you will be dead and none of this will matter anyway...then you will be cured of depression. It's called reality. No doctor or preacher can sell it to you. You have to figure it out for yourself.
rubicon789
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2004
- Posts
- 178
I understand where your coming from. My wifes family is all depressed, a quick rundown. Grandfather clinically depressed, father depression also diagnosed with cronic fatigue, borther well he has lots of issues, mother is a mess, great aunt commited suicide due to depression issues. Sorry I can't name the actual "sickness" they have but you get the point. Her father even had the ECT shock theropy to help with it. On my side recently my brother was having issues of depression, and was given some drugs by the doctor. I think it was zoloft. Well, not only did it makes things worse he attempted suicide and failed thankfully. So I am not ne wto this at all. Here is my observation.Lrjtcaptain said:
Drugs are so over prescribed by drug company's/doctors, that some people really think happiness comes in a pill. In our experiences my wifes dad for example has been taking medications for 10-15 years for this stuff and is tired of it. He has been slowing working off each one and admits that there are challenges, but that the drugs are not needed for everything. One must change his/her ways in order to feel good. There is something to be said for that. Now, I do know in some extreme cases that people are just imbalanced and need medication, but a majority are just over prescibed.
I respect your thoughts, and input. This is by no means saying your wrong and I'm right. I would also be happy to explain/ share in depth anything I said as well. Just didn't want to ramble on and on. Safe flying
Several years ago, when the bottom dropped out of my life, I had no business being in the cockpit. I was flying single pilot, other people's lives in my hands and knew I couldn't focus 100% on acting as PIC. I took a year off and went back to flying when I was safe to do so.
Even if it means losing your medical... do what you need to do to stay safe and alive.
Even if it means losing your medical... do what you need to do to stay safe and alive.
Gorilla
King of Belize
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2005
- Posts
- 1,132
FN FAL said:
FN-FAL, re-read my post. I said some were mean, and some meant well. Anyone who felt the need to post to a public forum seeking help and advice is probably far past a bluesy state. How many others post here and say "Wow, I'm feeling down"? It doesn't happen. We bottle it, and it takes probably moths of depression before someone says "This is wrong" and begins the tentative search for help.
As for your scenario, you treat physicians in the same offhand, cavalier, and extremely unprofessional way some of our passengers treat us when boarding. "Hey Cappy, get enough sleep? snicker. How 'bout that 4 margarita lunch? Hope y'all aren't too drunk!" Your claim that a doc would automatically reach for his scrip pad (YEAH! Pfizer KICKBACKS!) to pay for his new boat is demeaning and inaccurate. Sure there're bad ones. Just like there are drunk pilots, but the vast majority are professional and will prescribe if needed, but not before. They don't make more money writing a prescription. Their fees come from the entire office visit.
Look at how much pain is underprescribed. Doctors are very hesitant to prescribe powerful medications.
As for me, probably like you, a case of ammo at the range is a near sure-fire cure for the blues!
FN FAL
Freight Dawgs Rule
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2003
- Posts
- 8,573
Gorilla said:As for your scenario, you treat physicians in the same offhand, cavalier, and extremely unprofessional way some of our passengers treat us when boarding. "Hey Cappy, get enough sleep? snicker. How 'bout that 4 margarita lunch? Hope y'all aren't too drunk!" Your claim that a doc would automatically reach for his scrip pad (YEAH! Pfizer KICKBACKS!) to pay for his new boat is demeaning and inaccurate. Sure there're bad ones. Just like there are drunk pilots, but the vast majority are professional and will prescribe if needed, but not before. They don't make more money writing a prescription. Their fees come from the entire office visit.
Look at how much pain is underprescribed. Doctors are very hesitant to prescribe powerful medications.
As for me, probably like you, a case of ammo at the range is a near sure-fire cure for the blues!
Cavalier? Not my style (
) Maybe Lexus or Lincoln! hahahahaha, I'd probably recommend that a student come in for a couple more lessons to get those chandelles just right and to help smooth out those landings a bit. When milking the student for a few more bucks serves the public good, I think I can justify it under the ethics system of "Utilitarianism". Would hate to see the student go out into the world not prepared (it's a correlation, bear with me).panama_gringo
Future Owner in Training
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Posts
- 17
brianjohn,
One aspect of depression not always looked at is sleep - as in quality of sleep.
Humbly suggest that a night or two in a sleep lab should be a part of the elimination process.
If one doesn't take that route, a simple,low cost sleep apnea test called the SleepStrip. Get a prescription for two nights since some patients don't have sleep apnea symptoms every night. That will help screen for this under-diagnosed disorder.
It can affect QOL on many levels including impotence. It is a direct cause for stroke.
PG
One aspect of depression not always looked at is sleep - as in quality of sleep.
Humbly suggest that a night or two in a sleep lab should be a part of the elimination process.
If one doesn't take that route, a simple,low cost sleep apnea test called the SleepStrip. Get a prescription for two nights since some patients don't have sleep apnea symptoms every night. That will help screen for this under-diagnosed disorder.
It can affect QOL on many levels including impotence. It is a direct cause for stroke.
PG
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