erictgill

I am getting out of the army in about 5 months the only issue im facing is that I am being evaluated for mild depression. Nothing is set in stone as of now but I have an appointment in june to complete the eval. I plan on doing some flight training when i get out... but i need to know what sort of impact this mental eval may have on my future as a pilot? If it comes down to it I will cancel my appoint and overcome it without the anti-depressants.

rickair7777

You are in a tough spot, and many commercial pilots have faced the same dilemma.

Up until very recently, current or recent depression or use of anti-depressants was disqualifying. Once treated successfully and off meds for a period of time (usually six months) you could get a medical, but would typically require a special psychiatric review.

The FAA just changed the policy to allow those who are no longer clinically depressed, but still on meds, to hold a medical. There is a stabilization period and a review of course but it should be allowed.

However...everything I just said applies to the FAA, not necessarily the airlines. Different airlines have had different medical standards in the past, some of them rather draconian. A documented history of clinical depression might even keep you from getting hired at certain airlines.

Non-airline pilot employers normally just want to see that you have a medical certificate, and don't ask any questions. Some airlines (especially the ones you don't want to work at) take this approach also.

So, what to do? First off your health is way more important than any career, especially an aviation career. Do what you have to do to get better.

Also for aviation career purposes you will need to determine whether you condition is situational or chronic. If it is situational (ie caused by specific life circumstances) you can probably treat it one way or another, identify what triggered it, and get on with your life and career. If it is chronic, ie you are just physiologically more susceptible than most people, then a flying career might be tough since you may need constant or occasional meds. I'm no expert, but I would guess if you are a typical soldier that you do not have a chronic depression issue...that would probably show up in boot camp.

With that said, there are a variety of treatment methods for mild depression (other than the typical SSRI's) which might be worth trying...

St. Johns Wort: Herbal remedy, you can get this at the drugstore, and it works for many people. It's very commonly used in Europe. It is like an SSRI in that it takes time (often weeks) to really take effect. It will make you sunburn easily though, so if you are doing field duty that might be an issue.

Diet: Lay off the booze. Seriously. This is huge, moderate or greater quantities of alcohol burn up serotonin...lack of which is usually what causes mild depression. A healthy diet can't hurt either, especially omega-3 foods.

Stress/Anxiety: This can be a vicious loop...constant elevated stress levels burn serotonin. Lower serotonin levels can cause depression and anxiety, which continue to depress serotonin levels. Even if the original stress factor is gone from your life, you can get stuck in a loop.

Exercise: Daily aerobic exercise (45-60 minutes or more) stimulates serotonin production. Again, this takes a little time your levels will actually drop at first when you ramp up your exercise but will stabilize over time. Non-aerobic (ie weights) won't work, and 20 minutes three times a week won't do it either.

Google is your friend...there is a lot of info out there. But again, if you need help or have thoughts of violence, suicide, etc go see someone immediately.

erictgill

My situation is not serious at all.. no thoughts of killing myself hurting myself or anyone else for that matter. I just find little enjoyment in doing things. I am exhausted from working and i come home and sit on my couch and watch tv all day. I think if i were to get out with my wife and kid on the weekends and do things like go to the park and walk around ill come out of it. Anti-depressants isnt the answer, i believe, in my minor case of depression. These "doctors" are quick to lable people as having PTSD and depression when I am fine. Thanks for the pointers... im not a heavy drinker i may drink twice a month and i usually dont get drunk. I will start my workout tomorrow, maybe hit the treadmill at the gym for an hour or two.

USMCFLYR

Sounds like me at one point - but my problem wasn't Depression - it was Hypothyroidism.
Maybe you should have your thyroid levels checked.
I was so exhausted that I couldn't get up to walk to the bathroom hardly!
Good luck erictgill.

USMCFLYR

erictgill

Well my situation isnt that bad but I have very exhausted when i get home from work. I come home and im so exhaused i dont have the energy to get out of my uniform... I sit on the couch and dont feel like moving. This really never happened until i came home from Iraq and even in Iraq we would work so hard some days that I would go to my room and just lay there because I was just drained of energy. I honestly dont believe this is depression or if it is its not a major depression. I dont think taking antidepressants is necessary either. of course im not doctor about i know that some doctors are quick to lable people and thow pills at them.
I think that starting tomorrow I will change me daily routine. After will i might hit the gym up and do some cardio and Ill take my family to the park and get out of the house.

USMCFLYR

I'll only beat this horse one more time just to emphasis that this is exactly the type of symptoms that I was experiencing. Of course I didn't think anything was wrong either because I had had my annual flight physical only a few months before and they are very thorough and take all types of blood work and everything. Hypothyroidism isn't a blood test that they generally give unless they see some other symptoms associated along with it. Once I saw a list of associated symptoms, I was amazed at how many I had.
My point in bringing this up to you is that medical issues can creep up on you without your knowing it. I had had some symptoms for YEARS but dismissed them as other environmental factors (like dry skin after two back to back tours in the desert).
There could be numerous causes for your fatigue. Look elsewhere for hidden symptoms too and get a few different opinions and diagnosis'

I agree with you that TOO MANY people are smacked with the Depression label nowdays - sort of like ADD/ADHD in children for example.

And no I'm certainly not a doctor, but I believe in knowing what you can about your own health and not leaving it solely in the hands of your providers. Here is a website that might be a useful tool in your search for answers about how a condition can affect your quest for an aviation medical.
Virtual Flight Surgeons Inc. -- Your One Source for FAA Medical Certification Waiver Assistance!

USMCFLYR

nfnsquared

...and I'll add that if Army doctors/medicine are/is anything like some AF doctors/idiots/medical hobbyists I've dealt with, you'll need to be firm in requesting the blood test or a referral to a specialist. Don't let them discourage you from pursuing all medically available consults for your symptoms. Demand a 2nd and 3rd opinion if necessary. I've been through this nightmare with AF doctors and learned a lot about not believing the first diagnosis....

Be aware (and it sounds like you already are) that the blinders are on, especially in Army medicine/mental health circles (not necessarily a bad thing that PTSD is finally getting attention). Make sure your doctors are thinking "outside" the box.

erictgill

This whole things has already become a nightmare... I go in to tell them i get alittle sad and tired sometimes and I already have been labeled with PTSD and depression and all sorts of other things.

nfnsquared

Well, I'd tell them you want them to rule out physiological causes. Doesn't sound like they've even considered your symptoms could be physiological in part or in whole.

They owe it to you to prove you do not have any physiological problems causing your symptoms. If your doctors refuse to explore the physiological side, go to your patient advocate office and file a formal grievance with them. Things will start happening then....

davidpa28140

Just wanted to say this is one of the kindest threads I have read on this all to often overlooked issue. Rickair777 advice is spot on from everything I have read. I used to know guys that would show up for work and puke rather than admit they had a problem which left them with an option of getting help and being unemployeed(maybe never flying again) or continue to suffer under it. Many became alcoholics... I think if it where me I would try all of Ricks ideas and get the physical aspects checked out as well. What do you have to lose? The physical aspects appear to be less of an issue with the faa anyway..and shouldn't come with the stigma that may turn off any airline employement chances. I think now maybe your time to act, at least getting tested on the physical aspects, I really can't say as to the mental aspects as to a good timing, but it seems wise to have it all behind you before starting interviews.