SSRI use potential to become commercial pilot?

[GuyGuyGuy123]

I have been on an SSRI for almost 6 years for general anxiety, no extreme episodes ever. It has always been my dream to be a commercial pilot. I have absolutely zero flight experience (except for sims). I am currently getting my bachelor's degree so I likely would not start flying often for another couple of years. I hope to be off the SSRI by then, but it is not an easy drug to quickly get off, so there is the chance I would still be on it. I understand that I can follow different paths to get a medical clearance, but is there a feasible path to become a commercial career pilot? I have no interest in just being a sport pilot.

I apologize if this is formatted wrong or an annoying question, I am just very lost.

 

[bbchien]

With six years' duration, FAA will warrant that your condition is chronic, and likely to recurr off meds. Checkout the ON SSRI pathway at www.faa.gov, which is your only way forward. If you think College is a stressor, wait'll you get to aviation!

 

[GuyGuyGuy123]

With six years' duration, FAA will warrant that your condition is chronic, and likely to recurr off meds. Checkout the ON SSRI pathway at www.faa.gov, which is your only way forward. If you think College is a stressor, wait'll you get to aviation!

Thank you, I find that quite weird, they would rather me stay on a strong medication than be off it after recovering. Is there any amount of time that would be deemed acceptable for me to be off the drug, or must I remain on the drug for the entirety of my career?

 

[bbchien]

If your file is judged to meet criteria as”recurrent, you have no choice but to be on the program. Now that said I have ONE case in which the HIMS psychiatrist opined “I find no evidence that this person “EVER HAD ANYTHING.” FAA eventually issued him, it took 22 months but thy assigned Major Depr Disorder in remission.

You could START OFF trying to do that, but it’s literally a one in a thousand. The HIMS psychiatrist has to buck the entirety of part 67 to get that.

It has to do both with duration, and rusk factors.

And yes the 25 mg of Prozac is for the rest of career, intended to PREVENT recurrence….

 

[bbchien]

If your file is judged to meet criteria as “recurrent” (>5 years is a HUGE factor), you have no choice but to be on the program. Now that said I have ONE case in which the HIMS psychiatrist opined “I find no evidence that this person “EVER HAD ANYTHING.” FAA eventually issued him, it took 22 months but thy assigned Major Depr Disorder in remission. I issued him a BASIC after that.

You could START OFF trying to do that, but it’s literally a one in a thousand to succeed. The HIMS psychiatrist has to buck the entirety of part 67 to get that.

It has to do both with duration, and risk factors.

And yes the 25 mg of Prozac is the rest of career, intended to PREVENT recurrence….