However, certain medical conditions such as a psychosis, bipolar disorder and some types of personality disorder automatically disqualify a pilot from obtaining an
Impaired judgment does occur even in the milder form of the disease. All applicants with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder must be denied or deferred.
You can be a pilot if you have depression. Treatment options and growing awareness about mental health in the workplace provide hope.
Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots.
Psychiatric Conditions. The use of a psychotropic drug is disqualifying for aeromedical certification purposes. This includes all sedatives, tranquilizers, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs (including SSRI's - see exceptions), analeptics, anxiolytics, and hallucinogens.
Generally, if there is a clinically valid bipolar diagnosis, this diagnosis would be a bar to certification. However, before a determination can be made in any one case, we would need to determine if there was, in fact, a legitimate diagnosis of bipolar disorder in the pilot's medical history.
Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutic Medications)
Pharmaceutical Considerations: The use of a psychotropic drug is disqualifying for aeromedical certification purposes – this includes all antidepressant drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Opiates, such as Morphine, Codeine, Lortab, Percodan, Oxycontin. Muscle relaxants, such as Soma, Sonata, Flexeril. Anicholinergics, such as Levsin, Bnetyl, Transderm Scop. Sedating antihistamines, such as Benadryl, Chlorpheniramine, Zyrtec.
Some of the commonly-prescribed medications that individuals take for ADHD are Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, Strattera, Vyvanse, and Dexedrine. All these medications are disqualifying for medical certification purposes!
Nevertheless, language skills and cognitive development are not impaired and someone diagnosed with Asperger syndrome may be able to acquire the skills necessary to function safely as a pilot or air traffic controller.
However, the medications to treat this condition are unacceptable for FAA medical certification. Airmen who develop a true psychotic illness are usually denied medical certification. Bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic-depressive illness, is a disorder that causes shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels.
Although the Federal Aviation Administration requires physicals every year for commercial pilots under 40 and every six months for those older, the FAA does not require psychological checks. The FAA-approved doctors order testing only if they think a pilot needs it.
Both males and females in aviation are equally susceptible to mental health issues. There is a negative stigma around mental health in aviation. A study showed that pilots assumed fellow pilots who were unsociable most likely have a mental health illness.
People with bipolar disorder tend to be more readily sent into the fight or flight state, and to remain in that state on an ongoing basis. In relation to other people, they have: An overactive amygdala. Excessive sympathetic nervous system activity.
There are many mental health conditions, such as grief, psychosocial stress, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, personality disorders, and substance misuse/abuse, that are common, and that show patterns that facilitate early detection, and that have proven effective treatment strategies.
There are many jobs that someone with bipolar disorder could find fulfilling, ranging from creative to technical roles. A person's individual needs, interests, and skills should all play a role in the decision. When applying for jobs, it is important to research the company, its practices, and what the role involves.
The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying.
Anti-Depressants / Anxiety – Single-use Anti-Depressants such as: Celexa (Citalopram Hydrobromide), Lexapro (Escitalopram Oxalate), Prozac (Fluoxetine Hydrochloride), Zoloft (Sertraline Hydrochloride).
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has a list of these medications that are not allowed for pilots who hold FAA-issued medical certificates, because the FAA has determined that they have the potential to interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft. Xanax is one of these medications.
Myth: I will lose my FAA medical if I seek help for any mental health situation. Truth: The FAA will be concerned if you are clinically diagnosed with a psychiatric condition (depressive disorders, psychosis, personality disorders, anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder) or a substance abuse disorder.
Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots.
A few key points: The SSRI pathway only allows consideration for pilots who take one of four SSRIS: fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), or sertraline (Zoloft).
In the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration guidelines state that pilot candidates can have no established history of a “personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts,” psychosis, bipolar disorder, or substance dependence.
Any prior history of mental illness and antidepressant use is not accepted for cabin crew. Scoliosis of >30 is not accepted by most Middle Eastern airlines, and neither are skin conditions or scars. Aspiring cabin crew is also subjected to drug tests and sometimes alcohol tests to discover any substance abuse issues.
It depends on how severe the OCD was, the root causes of the disorder, the length of time since the last episode and the likelihood of future recurrence. The aviation medical system is set up to be conservative for good reasons, the cockpit is a bad place to become fixated.