Seeing a therapist, using health insurance?
 

I'm going through some personal stuff, and finally decided to go see a therapist, but it's expensive as hell and I'm paying out of pocket to protect my medical and career.

I am no threat to myself or others, and my job is by far the greatest aspect of my life. In fact I've been so stressed out with these personal issues, that I haven't had any emotional energy left over to stress about whatever tiny mistake I made in the cockpit, or non perfect landing I had, so my performance at work has been awesome lately, and that's the only thing keeping me going.

I'm not sure how long I can keep this going financially though, and was wondering if anybody thought it would be safe to use my health insurance to cover this. I'm not on any medication, nor need I be or plan to be. Diagnosis is a simple "adjustment disorder," which is a way of saying there is stress or depression associated with an adjustment in life, such as a breakup or loss in the family, for example.

Any advice or experiences in this regard would be highly, highly appreciated.

No drugs, and you've experienced a big life event like a break up or loss of a family member?

You're a human. You're allowed to experience life.

Use your insurance for your well being. This too shall pass. No need to pile financial matters onto your situation.

Good luck.

Zero is well intentioned, but you could have some legal concerns...

1. You should be very, very careful discussing this here. FAA people do use this forum. There is no right to patient confidentiality here, and if you left any hints as to your real identity on these forums (or when you registered) that could be subpoenaed.

2. If you go "on the grid" with this, and discuss your previous "off grid" treatment please be aware that THAT discussion will be in your "on grid" records. The doc is going to take notes.

3. After the germanwings thing, anticipate possible significant FAA scrutiny of your condition with likely grounding for some period of time. IIRC, it may be something like six months after the condition is resolved. If they ask for records, it might not be good if those records discuss any previous "off grid" treatment.

If all of this has occurred between FAA medical exams, then there would be no worries about disclosure, just disclose it at your next medical. But if you obtained a medical while this was going on and did not report it, you could have serious legal issues (starting with revocation of certs). If it's the later I suggest you contact an aviation lawyer and/or aviation medicine consultant to figure out the best way forward.


I know you have a lot going on, but that will all resolve itself. Ultimately you'll need to remove yourself from toxic relationships (BTDT) and get your lifestyle healthy. Exercise (emphasis on cardio), eat right, and go easy on the booze. Do that and very good chance you'll be better very soon, and will know how to avoid that in the future.

Damn boyee! If truer words were never spoken. And just like zerozero posted, "you're human and are allowed to experience life".

Good luck my friend!:)


atp