CoffeeIcePapers
Well-Hung Member
From my understanding, it is the underlying cause of the depression, not just the medication itself, that disqualifies you.
Depression
- Thread starter CN94559
- Start date
BillH
New Member
Exercising and heating healthy also makes you mentally strong and healthy.
A good book is "Body For Life" by Bill Phillips. I am mainly doing it for physical health but I must comment that I have never felt better upstairs. Must be the natural endorphins your body releases when you exercise. Also a healthy diet probably balances out the chemicals in your brain removing those wild mood swings.
In any case, one should be exercising and eating healthy on a regular basis to keep their medical for the long term.
A good book is "Body For Life" by Bill Phillips. I am mainly doing it for physical health but I must comment that I have never felt better upstairs. Must be the natural endorphins your body releases when you exercise. Also a healthy diet probably balances out the chemicals in your brain removing those wild mood swings.
In any case, one should be exercising and eating healthy on a regular basis to keep their medical for the long term.
CN:
Good for you for reaching out and asking questions. My suggestion, as mentioned above, is to work with your doctor/ counselor to determine the cause of the depression, and then work on a course of action, get a second opinion if you feel it is necessary. I hope you can find the best quality of life possible and continue to fly. Hang in there.
Good for you for reaching out and asking questions. My suggestion, as mentioned above, is to work with your doctor/ counselor to determine the cause of the depression, and then work on a course of action, get a second opinion if you feel it is necessary. I hope you can find the best quality of life possible and continue to fly. Hang in there.
WacoFan
Bigly
That was my understanding as well. I would certainly get some clarity on this issue. If, somewhere in your medical records there exists a note from the Doctor stating a need for anti-depressants I believe that is the DQ event - not the ingestion of the drugs. I would get very clear on this issue prior to proceeding with flying so as not to inadvertantly bust a reg.
I second this good post. Flying has existed since 1903, and I am pretty sure it will exist for the next couple of years at least. Take care of yourself first and do what you need to do so that you are a happy and healthy person. You have shown a level of maturity for seeking advice and that is great.
pilotsav27
New Member
Is it the medication itself (zoloft, etc) that disqualifies a pilot, or is it what the medicine is intended to treat (depression) that disqualifies? My gf is showing some interest in taking flying lessons in the next few months, but she was recently put on Zoloft. Not for depression (Lord knows shes not depressed 
), but believe it or not its to help with IBS. Does the fact that shes taking Zoloft for IBS still disqualify her? If not, would she have to send medical records showing what it is treating? Thanks.
), but believe it or not its to help with IBS. Does the fact that shes taking Zoloft for IBS still disqualify her? If not, would she have to send medical records showing what it is treating? Thanks.
CN94559
New Member
thanks guy for the support
I know the causes of my depression, parents divorcing, dad blaming it on me, girlfriend of a pretty long time's, mom passing away and her having to move away, trying to make long distance work but she decided she cant handle it anymore, not liking the area im in, not liking school.
I know the causes of my depression, parents divorcing, dad blaming it on me, girlfriend of a pretty long time's, mom passing away and her having to move away, trying to make long distance work but she decided she cant handle it anymore, not liking the area im in, not liking school.
CoffeeIcePapers
Well-Hung Member
Is it the medication itself (zoloft, etc) that disqualifies a pilot, or is it what the medicine is intended to treat (depression) that disqualifies? My gf is showing some interest in taking flying lessons in the next few months, but she was recently put on Zoloft. Not for depression (Lord knows shes not depressed
It is both. Some people seem to be under the impression that if they just quit the drugs that they are automatically in the clear, which I don't think is true. The underlying cause of what the drugs were issued for also needs to be addressed.
WacoFan
Bigly
That is a weird area - the off-label uses of things. I was once perscribed a thing called Amytriptalene - which is an anti-depressant. I was perscribed a very low dose because a very common use is once nightly for sleep (my sleep patterns were disturbed after an injury and long hospitalization). I was told by an MD (not a shrink - have never seen one of those) to take this for 30 days before bed and that my sleep cycle would then be fixed. I took one and felt groggy and stupid the next day so I quit and the Doctor gave me Ambien which was much better. My question is - do I now have an "anti-depressant" on my record...even though I was never depressed and only took one as a sleep aid?
I am sorry to hear about your situation. The question I have is..were you depressed prior to these events? If not then it sounds like you are dealing with life situations that are depressing you, not necessarily some type of chemical imbalance etc... Your doctor or the JC AME can clarify this for you. I would guess that everyone reading this has had some type of serious life event(s) that have caused them to be rather sad (depressed) for various lengths of time.
My suggestion is to find a counselor to help deal with these issues and take care of yourself. Mayber even fly...with another pilot, on a nice VFR day and enjoy the view, with your counselor/doctor's approval of course.
skydog
New Member
There is, I believe, a difference between depressed due to life circumstances, and a clinical diagnosis of depression, which is a medical condition.
If you think you are suffering from clinical depression, then you should seek professional medical help. If you're just having a rough time of things, there is help for that too, albeit of a different nature.
Either way, take flying off of the table, at least as a pilot. Not saying you can't do ride along with a friend, but forget about training or operating an airplane for now. You've got bigger issues to worry about. Get the help that you need, then you can think about flying. Remember, there is a reason that depression is disqualifying.
If you think you are suffering from clinical depression, then you should seek professional medical help. If you're just having a rough time of things, there is help for that too, albeit of a different nature.
Either way, take flying off of the table, at least as a pilot. Not saying you can't do ride along with a friend, but forget about training or operating an airplane for now. You've got bigger issues to worry about. Get the help that you need, then you can think about flying. Remember, there is a reason that depression is disqualifying.
Goonie
Never say die
What about seeing a shrink?