SPECIAL ISSUANCE for ANTIDEPRESSANTS

So I'm guessing that the $3000-4000 in neurocognitive psychological tests take a little more than an hour. Does anyone have any idea on how long these tests take up?

Thanks for weighing in on this thread My Flight Surgeon. The information you've provided is really valuable in deciphering what these policy changes actually mean.
 
I have not flown without a safety pilot or instructor since my diagnosis. I have been trying to do the right thing. I have contacted the HIMS specialist, the FAA, local psychiatrist, recommended psychiatrist from out of town and still have not been able to get a clear answer on how to jump through the hoops. I have a couple of good contacts that I am working with but still, not even the FAA, knows exactly how to go about this new protocol. I am still working through it which is good news. Hopefully the ones that go through it initially can help those after us. I have a hard time believing that a currently working pilot is going to give up the job flying to become stabilized for 1 year. I hope employers are willing to work with the folks out there that may need to go through the medication to get better. The info I have researched makes it seem as though a month will bring forth any problems with the anti-depressants. I understand there is some trial and error with finding the right meds for a particular individual and I too went through a few trials to find the right dose and meds. But I have been stable for almost a year and hopefully by the time we all figure out the protocol, a year will have passed. I do not think one needs to ground oneself. However, you must have a current safety pilot or instructor with you when you are without a valid medical. The cost that I have been able to track down have also been a bit lower than I expected, more good news. Some have stated 1000.00-2500.00. Some of the Dr.s have quoted lower but they turned out to not have the correct tests. The Cogscreen Aviation Editions seems to be the one that most do not have. Anyways good luck to all! Stick with it....Thanks to the Doctor helping with the information, if you hear anything new, please share it.
 
If you have been stable for a year, you just need to get the psychological testing, records from your psychiatrist and his current evaluation, take them to the HIMS AME who can review them and send them to the Federal Air Surgeon in Washington. I just talked to the Chief Psychiatrist about this very issue today at the Aerospace Medical Association meeting. If all of the requisite documentation is submitted today, it will take about 6 weeks to get an answer.
 
Hello Doc, I have another question. I have an appointment for the evaluations and understand that there is a new required test from the FAA that was discussed at the Aerospace Medical Association meeting. It is called the MMPI-2 and according to Dr. Gary Kay it is part of the total evaluation. Have you heard anything about this new test? I have the appointment tomorrow so I am wondering if I should get it done anyways to add to my file or hold off because of the cost. Any opinions out there?:insane:
 
The MMPI is not a new test and is part of the standard battery of tests the FAA likes to see. Dr. Kay is one of the best known aviation psychologists in the country.
 
You are correct, not a new test but I have not seen it on any of the required testing for the SI protocol. Is it a new requirement for the SI?
 
Has there been any indication if the FAA is going to require the psychological tests to happen every time you renew your medical certificate?
 
This whole thing is a little confusing to me, so I'm just going to shoot a quick question...

What if you are currently not prescribed nor using, but previously prescribed and used lexapro (discontinued after 1 month) to treat anxiety (not depression) approx 4 years ago? Do the same loopholes apply or am I SOL for about 5 years?
 
No. If you were on it for less than 6 months and have been off at least 90 days, just report it and state why you were prescribed the SSRI. It should not be an issue.
 
Is Cogscreen really a smoke screen?

I want to go out on a limb, speculate and suggest that this is less about cognition and more about confidence.

The six neurocognitive psychological tests to include COGSCREEN AE, Trails A/B; Stroop Test; CCPT, PASSAT, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test that collectively cost about $4000 are really a subterfuge, a diversion, a smoke screen to give this an illusion of an objective looking process. When in fact, determining mental fitness for flight is all a subjective decision that will be made by the HIMS trained AME.

Do a Google search to find studies that show a correlation between taking anti-depressants and loosing cognitive function. I found one. There might be more, but my point is that there should be lots and lots of studies suggesting this correlation. If it were really a problem, we would hear more about it, see it first hand and State Bureau of Motor Vehicles should be very concerned about people driving cars while taking anti-depressants.

If we could see our cognitive test results, I suspect most, if not all of us, would all fit under the normal bell curve. What would this say with regards to who should get a special waiver to fly? Nothing.

I can find no objective way to measure depression, no complex algorithm, no neat number scale and a chart. Depression as I’ve read is determined by a list of symptoms. Someone has to make the subjective judgment.

The HIMS trained AME has to decide if each applicant is mentally fit to fly and whether that applicant has the confidence of the AME and worth the risk of the signoff as a sponsor . The FAA will grant a special waiver based on this recommendation. The test results will get anonymously added to a huge data base, then archived.

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