Severe Depression

av8rdrew

av8rdrew

Well-Known Member
Hello Doc:

I was diagnosed with sever depression in December 2011 and was placed on medication. I was on medication for approximately 3 or 4 months and have been off of medication since March or April 2012.

Through therapy, we learned that the causes of my depression was how I dealt with the death of my mother, who I took care of an watched battle cancer for a year and a very stressful and toxic relationship with an ex-spouse. I've not yet applied for a medical, but would likely try and get a First class as I have all ratings and would like to get back in the air. What am I up against.

In short, I am concerned about the sever depression diagnosis and the meds I was on for a few months. Thanks in advance doc.

Drew
 
I'm not qualified to answer your question, sir, but I want to wish you the best. Whatever happens, please keep us in the loop. There is a vast wealth of knowledge here that you might be able to tap into if you wish. Best wishes.
 
The term depression is kinda ambiguous in nature. It sounds more like you were angry/sad/depressed, verses having actual depression. There's a difference, a big difference. Example: My dog died. I got an F in math. My girlfriend dumped me. The resulting fall out of those feelings would be being depressed.

Verses the old Paxil commercial. Who's tagline was: "When I'm at home I'm, worried about work. When I'm at work I'm worried about home." That's an example of severe helplessness, or low mood.

Depression is a severe mood disorder and is biochemical in nature according to the DSM. Verses feelings of repressed anger/sadness. Severe/major depression affects all parts of ones life. Such as work, home, social life. Eating, sleeping and general health.

We have a culture of medication in this country. Where the first thing doctors think of is to medicate. Hell they now have a pill for doing shift work, really? I work third shift, so what I should take a pill now due to that??? The pharmaceutical industry says yes.

I'm no licensed professional... yet. But in my unofficial opinion for your situation could have best been helped by talking to a psychologist vs. a psychiatrist. And talking through your problems vs. medicating them which according to what I see daily at work is just a system of pacification.

Anyway I just wanted to give you the distinction between being depressed and having actual depression. I can't speak to how the FAA will handle your taking of meds. unfortunately so I'll leave that for the medical doctor.
 
@ DE727UPS - Thank you for your words.

@ Maximillian - Appreciate the info. I was really in a bad way - like in a permanent fog. I don't disagree with the diagnosis or the meds and fought it for a long time as I was concerned about my medical, but eventually had to take care of me or there would probably never be another medical - ever. I actually saw a psychologist and that wasn't getting me anywhere. With all of this behind me, I am ready to get back to doing what pilots do.

Thanks for the responses.

Drew

P.S. I didn't know there was a pill for people working 3rd shift. Big Pharma is completely out of control.
 
av8rdrew said:
Hello Doc:

I was diagnosed with sever depression in December 2011 and was placed on medication. I was on medication for approximately 3 or 4 months and have been off of medication since March or April 2012.

Through therapy, we learned that the causes of my depression was how I dealt with the death of my mother, who I took care of an watched battle cancer for a year and a very stressful and toxic relationship with an ex-spouse. I've not yet applied for a medical, but would likely try and get a First class as I have all ratings and would like to get back in the air. What am I up against.

In short, I am concerned about the sever depression diagnosis and the meds I was on for a few months. Thanks in advance doc.

Drew
Click to expand...
If you don't mind that I ask, what meds. were you put on?

I currently have moderate-severe depression for the past year or so and I sure have realized how it has been affecting my life, gladly not my aviation life. I want to do something about it but I have read too many articles about anti-depressants "messing" with peoples heads after they stop taking them or in the future once they are off and I am young and really don't want to have to go down that road. I am currently taking St. Johns Wort .3% for mental health finding it to be the most natural way of treating my illness.

How well did the meds. work for you and would you recommend them or anything else?
 
@ JFlighttt - I was on Zoloft for a couple of weeks and I did start to feel better, tried to have a little sex and it made matters difficult which the doc told me would happen. He then put me on another drug called Viibryd and that worked pretty good and no sexual side effects. The doc told me he placed me on meds because of the condition I was in when he first saw me and I needed a jump start. I was reluctant and scared as I was concerned about my medical, but I feel that it was the best decision at the time given all what was going on.
 
av8rdrew said:
@ Maximillian - Appreciate the info. I was really in a bad way - like in a permanent fog. I don't disagree with the diagnosis or the meds and fought it for a long time as I was concerned about my medical, but eventually had to take care of me or there would probably never be another medical - ever. I actually saw a psychologist and that wasn't getting me anywhere. With all of this behind me, I am ready to get back to doing what pilots do.

Thanks for the responses.

Drew

P.S. I didn't know there was a pill for people working 3rd shift. Big Pharma is completely out of control.
Click to expand...

You gotta do what's right for you. This is the internet so was just going by what you listed with my reply. I've heard that not dealing properly with anger/sadness/grief can cause those emotions to turn inward and become unhealthy and thus become depression from being simply depressed.

I'm glad the professionals diagnosis was correct in your case and it worked out for you, really that all that matters. Now lets hope you can get your medical back.

As for shift work disorder here's more info. Pharma's gotta make their money some how, and people will believe almost anything these days to help stack their profits.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shift_work_sleep_disorder
 
Just report the counseling and the antidepressant. Include a statement regarding the issues surrounding your mother's death, give the length of time you have been off the medications, provide a statement that you are no longer experiencing the depressive symptoms and see an AME who does at least 25 medical a month (they tend to be more in touch with how to put the AME comments in Box 60.

I doubt you will hear anything from the FAA if you follow this advice.
 
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