Anxiety vs medical

M

mrsandman

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I am hoping I can get some advice from some of you out there regarding my medical. In June 2018 I went to see an AME for my 1st class medical. In short he deferred my medical to be reviewed by the FAA because I was being seen by the VA for ptsd/anxiety. Yes I'm a combat vet, and after my service I went to flight school. Anywho I was being seen at the VA for about 1.5 years about once a month for counseling .I was on a couple medications for sleep and nightmares. However I've been medication free and treatment free for about 9 - 10 months. I received a letter from the FAA stating I will need to do a psych eval by a psychiatrist who has experience with aerospace. So I live in small town between two other small towns, and the only person who I understand can do this wants to charge 2500.00 for a 2 hour eval and is on the other one of the state. Has anyone gone through this before? I did get my basic med in the meantime but is there any other way to take care of this without spending all this money. Any advice would be great. Thanks and happy new year.
 
Find yourself a HIMS AME and for that money you go to a HIMS certified forensic psych known to FAA. You may have to travel. The HIMS AMEs can’t disclose the list, but they know to get the psych your FAA record and all your VAH records.(PS the FAA record- you can get but the psych’s copy has to never go through you. We have some truly pathetic stories about airmen “editing “ of the file.

It expensive because (1) OCare doesn’t cover this as healthcare because it isn't healthcare. He (2) isn’t going to “make you better”.

It’s all risk, to the Psychiatrist.
 
Can an AME issue a medical for an applicant who had anxiety but has since recovered. Psych eval and the whole deal in order.. or is an auto deferral situation?
 
User2 said:
Can an AME issue a medical for an applicant who had anxiety but has since recovered. Psych eval and the whole deal in order.. or is an auto deferral situation?
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Many many thread on this topic. So a quick answer: when anxiety is an issue, guidance from the FAA is sought . That is a deferral!
 
There was another thread titled “why GA is dying “ - here is one of the answers.
Because of BS like that - why deal with this nonsense , when you can ride an rv or a motorcycle or enjoy your boat with no interference ...
 
Warmi said:
There was another thread titled “why GA is dying “ - here is one of the answers.
Because of BS like that - why deal with this nonsense , when you can ride an rv or a motorcycle or enjoy your boat with no interference ...
Click to expand...
You think someone being treated for two major psych conditions should be issued a first class on the spot?
 
I think people are just getting diagnosed more these days than they used to be. These issues are going to come up a lot more often as there are just more diagnosed people out there. IDK what the answer is because obviously we don't want medicals being issued to people with major problems but for folks who just needed a little help getting through a rough patch in life the system sure seems a bit unfair as it stands.
 
Not the OP, but similar question. Do all anxiety cases get deferred to FAA regardless of diagnosis and circumstances?

Similar situation: I'm going in for a class 3 med, had brief episode of anxiety last year caused by situational issues (family related) and saw a psychiatrist for therapy and briefly prescribed xanax. Situation resolved, didn't take the pills more than a few times, feeling fine and otherwise healthy. No other mental health history. Have a note from the (board certified) psychiatrist saying my condition is fine, no medication required, and I don't have any ongoing diagnosis. The AME I am seeing is a HIMS AME. Can he issue the medical with a call to the FAA after seeing my doctors note? Or does it have to get deferred always?

Thought it's worth asking especially as seems similar cases with depression can be issuable (with medication use <6m and 60d+) but seems to be less clear guidance on anxiety. Wondering if a) HIMS AME and b) having a board-certified psych rather than PCP are helpful factors that make this issuance possible without additional testing.
 
He can on a call, provided that the board certified psychiatrist also vouches (in his letter) that to his knowledge this was the "one and only" in your lifetime"
 
cowman said:
because obviously we don't want medicals being issued to people with major problems but for folks who just needed a little help getting through a rough patch in life the system sure seems a bit unfair as it stands.
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I have been curious for a while. Is there any actual data that having the FAA issuing medicals improves the safety of flight?

While it seems like it would be common sense, it is possible that it is not possible to predict very accurately when people are going to medical problems that cause flight safety issues and that people who have a problem don’t generally want to be flying. If both of those have not implausible likelihoods, it could be the case that issuing medicals does not improve safety, or at least not at a reasonable cost per life saved.
 
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mrsandman said:
I am hoping I can get some advice from some of you out there regarding my medical. In June 2018 I went to see an AME for my 1st class medical. In short he deferred my medical to be reviewed by the FAA because I was being seen by the VA for ptsd/anxiety. Yes I'm a combat vet, and after my service I went to flight school. Anywho I was being seen at the VA for about 1.5 years about once a month for counseling .I was on a couple medications for sleep and nightmares. However I've been medication free and treatment free for about 9 - 10 months. I received a letter from the FAA stating I will need to do a psych eval by a psychiatrist who has experience with aerospace. So I live in small town between two other small towns, and the only person who I understand can do this wants to charge 2500.00 for a 2 hour eval and is on the other one of the state. Has anyone gone through this before? I did get my basic med in the meantime but is there any other way to take care of this without spending all this money. Any advice would be great. Thanks and happy new year.
Click to expand...
I know that Steinmann Institute has a HIMS certified provider who is FAA approved. Phone: (801) 716-4284
 
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