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Old 11-23-2017, 06:34 AM
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rickair7777
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An active anxiety diagnosis will most likely disqualify you from holding any medical. Typical anxiety meds (SSRIs) are disqualifying, but it's possible to get a waiver to fly on SSRI's... this is a recent relaxtion, and my understanding is that very few people have been granted the waiver, so it would be a very uphill battle.

So the best way forward is to resolve the anxiety. If you're young and still transitioning from home life and trying to get through college, that's a naturally stressful time and some anxiety would be common for many people.

Typically you can avoid anxiety by managing stress and lifestyle. Exercise and healthy diet are important (also good for anyone who needs to hold a 1C medical to age 65). Alcohol will exacerbate anxiety and depression as well, one or two drinks (beer/wine) might actually help you relax and have health benefits, but more than that will have various health ramifications. Also mental health professionals can give you guidance on how to avoid thought patterns which can lead you down a rabbit-hole, and may advise meditation, yoga, etc. Too much caffeine might keep you from relaxing when you need some downtime. A common problem for young adults is that there's so much going on between school, work, social life, and opportunities for an unlimited variety of activities that people tend to not get down-time even when they really need it.

The problem is that since it's now documented, you need to address it. It's important at this point that you DO NOT submit any FAA paperwork, or talk to an AME. You need to pay an aviation medicine consultant to advise you on how to proceed.

The best way ahead will likely be to get mental health counseling, and make any needed changes such that a psychiatrist will give you a clean diagnosis in writing. It will also need to state that the anxiety is unlikely to return. Then and only then will you want to talk to an AME. But like I said talk to a consultant, that german-wings tool has caused the FAA to really scrutinize mental health issues recently.
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