Be Happier Than Before

[Loose rivets]

I'll keep you posted on how things go.

Yes, please do.


The funny thing is that I almost deleted my post a short while after writing it. I felt that it perhaps contained too much personal baggage, but now I'm glad I didn't.

I think that many medical problems have to take into account life's brick-bats to know how to treat them correctly.

One of my kids is a published expert on the effects of stress on the immune system. I don't quote him just in case I make mistakes in my interpretations of his work, but suffice it to say the mind's control over our physical wellbeing is, or can be, profound. So often we pay twice for our mental stresses.

[Brian Abraham]

I am glad that no person using psychotic drugs, anti-depressants or anxiety medication is allowed to control an airplane

That is true in FAA and CAA land but not the case in Australia. The aviation medical authorities treat these medications and illness as they do many others. That is on the particular cases merits. Aircrew may be given the OK to continue flying and the research they have done tends to show that pilots on medication have a better safety record than their peers. They have moved beyond the notion typical in the population at large that a person on anti depressants is one breath away from being an axe murderer. A 30 page document used by the AME in assessing cases is here

http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_asset...e/080r0206.pdf

A brief excerpt
Use of Antidepressant Medication by Depressed Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers
CASA may, on a case-by-case basis, certificate applicants who are prescribed (and are taking) the antidepressant medications Sertraline, Citalopram and Venlafaxine as treatment for their depression. CASA is reviewing the antidepressant Moclobemide for possible approval for use by aviators and ATCs. An “as or with co-pilot” or “with direct air traffic controller supervision” condition, as appropriate, may be imposed. Pilots and ATCs taking other types of anti-depressants will not usually be considered for certification.

CASA certification of pilots and ATCs taking CASA authorised medications is conditional on:
_ Such applicants being under the care of a medical practitioner experienced in the management of depression—the applicant must:
❍ Be stable on an established and appropriate dose of medication for at least four weeks before returning to flying/ATC duties and exhibiting:
❍ Minimal acceptable side-effects
❍ No drug interactions or allergies
❍ Be subject to clinical review monthly or more often, with progress reports to CASA at 6 monthly intervals (for at least the first year). The applicant may be involved in other concurrent treatment (e.g. psychotherapy).
❍ Have an absence of other significant psychiatric co-morbidities
❍ Have no other psychoactive medications
❍ Have precipitating factors removed/controlled.
_ Symptoms of depression being well controlled, without evidence of psychomotor retardation
_ An absence of suicidal ideation or intent
_ An absence of features of arousal (e.g. irritability or anger)
_ The presence of a normal sleep pattern.

Pilots or ATCs authorised to fly or perform duties when taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) or related antidepressant medications must cease exercising the privileges of their licences if their antidepressant medication is altered or the dose changed. Their supervising medical practitioner may return them to duty when they are assessed as stable and without unacceptable side effects.

Pilots and ATCs whose medication is being reduced must cease exercising the privileges of their licences for the entire period during which they are weaned off medication plus an additional period of two weeks. Their supervising medical practitioner may return them to duty when they are assessed as stable and without unacceptable side effects.

Its a pity other countries have not been a little more pro active in this area.