Gustavo

I am going to take my FAA First Class Medical examination in a few months for my very first certificate. I need some advice from experienced pilots / medical professionals about a problem.

I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (Inattentive Type) when I was a young kid. Lousy diagnosis if you ask me - scored above average on all tests except the last one (which I likely BS'ed through). Anyways the diagnosis is not on my medical record with my doctor, and is only in the hands of that specialist, my parents, and my school for accommodations.

ADD really has been nonexistent in my life until just a few weeks ago. I never have taken medications but just recently realized that I was diagnosed it looking at the report.

My question is, is it a good idea not to disclose this diagnosis on my medical. You do get asked (Yes/No) if you have been diagnosed with a mental disorder, but many people tell me if I say I do despite my conditions that I will have to spend months battling for a medical that I have no gurentee to get.

I asked an AME online, and I want to believe him - but he tells me what I expect him to tell me, don't lie or you will regret it. He makes it sound like I will get my balls busted in the future - but is that anything more than a long shot?

I mean this single document is NOT in my record with my pediatrician - and my pediatrician would be clueless if he was asked. I mean what issue would arise in the first place that would have to have the FAA go searching through my record? It's not like I am going to crash or get caught up in a huge complication in my future. Plus if that even happened, how would they go about finding a random document - not on my record with my doctor - that only lies in the hands of a specialist.

ERJF15

So why disclose it here on an open forum? I mean no offense, but other adults telling another adult whether or not to disclose something on a medical just doesn't seem right. If you do or don't disclose, that's your business.

Gustavo

I did not disclose my name or address when I created this account. My name is not Gustavo either.

ERJF15

You're right...sorry

Gustavo

But I am just trying to get advice as to whether you think it is a good idea or not. I want to make the best choice - whether that means avoiding a possible prison sentence or a $4000 test that could have me denied.

Grumble

You get caught lying on a medical, they'll do a lot more than just bust your balls.

ackattacker

However many of the folks you are asking are not quite so anonymous. AFAIK the FAA considers ADHD medications a serious issue. However you have never been treated or taken medication... so... probably if you disclose it the FAA would require some sort of doctors evaluation which says you are OK and that will be the end of it. If you don't disclose it the likelihood that they find out about it are pretty slim, though. I'm not offering any advice on what to do.

Gustavo

I have heard this... part of the reason why I am considering avoiding doing so. But I have heard that your only likely to get caught lying if you have a serious ongoing medical condition. But would they really send me to prison and fine me thousands of dollars just because I didn't check 'Yes" on a one paged document that involved a diagnosis I would have completely forgotten If It wasn't for me looking back.

Gustavo

Yeah that is what I have been hearing. I would be totally fine with an evaluation, but it sounds like a lengthy- expensive- and rather rigorous test that offers no gurentee to a medical. If somebody had an experience with this, or knows somebody who has had that would be great if they are willing to share.

Bozo the pilot

I had a student when i was a cfi who mentioned it to his avdoc. Took him 2 years to get a medical. fyi