Flyer3
16th May 2003, 05:48
I am rather peeved that the FAA seems to regulate our lives in an illogical manner. I have a friend who sometimes suffers from periodic depressions. (Not the bipolar manic depression nor the lifetime blues...simply depression-an organic, treatible depression.)
I saw this guy grow so much while getting his Private Pilot's License. He was so animated when he'd return from his lessons. It was really good to see him journey through his accomplishments, facing his fears and climb over his walls. He found what we all could see was "what he loved." We all want that. He would however still get depressed and it really slowed him down.
He went to an MD who suggested he try wellbutrin. The doc told him it might alleviate the depression and that some reported that it helped them to concentrate better. He tried the wellbutrin. It seemed to give him renewed energy and many noticed he was happier. That is great. He went on to get his Instrument Rating while he was on wellbutrin. He passed his check ride and was a happy camper. The Doc tells him he should probably stay onthe meds indefinately. Why go on and off of them if it'll slow down his life? Then my friend finds out it's illegal to take antideppressants and fly. Now he doesn't fly. He wants to fly, he really wants to go for his Commercial, teach, maybe work for the airlines...the whole nine yards. Flying woke this guy up. It gave him so much...
I wonder...he went through all his instrument training, passed the tests, everything. He didn't do anything dangerous that I heard about. Certainly his instructor and the examiner didn't see anything dangerous. The medicine probably made him safer.
Depressed pilots are probably not as safe as people in a better mood state. Certainly, there have probably been pilots who have committed suicide (or almost, sick as it sounds) in an airplane. But if they had gotten treatment and weren't depressed they wouldn't go there. So what's the point? Fly depressed or get treatment?
I'm sure there are depressed pilots. I would rather be flying with one that was getting treatment than one who was slugging it out up there depressed. That is ridiculous if you ask me. I'm sure there are pilots that take medicines that are safe, that don't degrade their ability to fly but DO enhance it. I'd wager my friend was safer flying while on wellbutrin than when he was depressed.
How many pilots continue flying while depressed? (I know it can affect your decision making, your reaction time etc.) Why would they? Because if they get medical treatment they'll be grounded. Doesn't make sense. The FAA I believe has that rule because they worry about the underlying problem. Me too. So treat it. But if the meds help a person to perform safer...why not allow those meds? Is wellbutrin dangerous...evidently not for my friend.
Come to think of it, I know a couple of people who don't fly because of this medical rule. I wonder how many still fly while depressed and how many are up there on these meds covertly. Some people have invested so much in their careers and then find they can't fly because they have to take a medicine that is safe but illegal. Doesn't wash with me.
Anybody know of organizations trying to work towards a more reasonable solution? Or what do you think?
I saw this guy grow so much while getting his Private Pilot's License. He was so animated when he'd return from his lessons. It was really good to see him journey through his accomplishments, facing his fears and climb over his walls. He found what we all could see was "what he loved." We all want that. He would however still get depressed and it really slowed him down.
He went to an MD who suggested he try wellbutrin. The doc told him it might alleviate the depression and that some reported that it helped them to concentrate better. He tried the wellbutrin. It seemed to give him renewed energy and many noticed he was happier. That is great. He went on to get his Instrument Rating while he was on wellbutrin. He passed his check ride and was a happy camper. The Doc tells him he should probably stay onthe meds indefinately. Why go on and off of them if it'll slow down his life? Then my friend finds out it's illegal to take antideppressants and fly. Now he doesn't fly. He wants to fly, he really wants to go for his Commercial, teach, maybe work for the airlines...the whole nine yards. Flying woke this guy up. It gave him so much...
I wonder...he went through all his instrument training, passed the tests, everything. He didn't do anything dangerous that I heard about. Certainly his instructor and the examiner didn't see anything dangerous. The medicine probably made him safer.
Depressed pilots are probably not as safe as people in a better mood state. Certainly, there have probably been pilots who have committed suicide (or almost, sick as it sounds) in an airplane. But if they had gotten treatment and weren't depressed they wouldn't go there. So what's the point? Fly depressed or get treatment?
I'm sure there are depressed pilots. I would rather be flying with one that was getting treatment than one who was slugging it out up there depressed. That is ridiculous if you ask me. I'm sure there are pilots that take medicines that are safe, that don't degrade their ability to fly but DO enhance it. I'd wager my friend was safer flying while on wellbutrin than when he was depressed.
How many pilots continue flying while depressed? (I know it can affect your decision making, your reaction time etc.) Why would they? Because if they get medical treatment they'll be grounded. Doesn't make sense. The FAA I believe has that rule because they worry about the underlying problem. Me too. So treat it. But if the meds help a person to perform safer...why not allow those meds? Is wellbutrin dangerous...evidently not for my friend.
Come to think of it, I know a couple of people who don't fly because of this medical rule. I wonder how many still fly while depressed and how many are up there on these meds covertly. Some people have invested so much in their careers and then find they can't fly because they have to take a medicine that is safe but illegal. Doesn't wash with me.
Anybody know of organizations trying to work towards a more reasonable solution? Or what do you think?