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Calvin25

Well Known Member
I have a friend of a friend that has A.D.D. He has never been diagnosed or treated it in fear of FAA regulations. He has been diagnosed by PHD friends and was told he should try treatment.

His mind clears completely when he is flying, in fact that is one of the only things that will clear his mind and give him the ability to concentrate on one thing. Complex projects such as aircraft building also helps him focus.

He currently self medicates with caffeine, unlike most of us caffeine calms him down.

Anyone else have a friend that has this issue and is able to take medication for it and still fly?
 
I have severe ADHD and am dyslexic...

...have had it all my life. It was not diagnosed until my son was diagnosed at an early age. It can be a curse, but I have found it to be a blessing. I can hyper-focus on problems and come up with solutions.

I was fortunate in that I was able to find an employer that truly believed and valued thinking outside the "box" and rewarded results appropriately. Thank you IBM...(I retired last year when my job went to China).

I found the RV build project to be diversionary and relaxing. Multiple puzzles, hobbies, family, work, house chores, wood working, home remodeling were not an issue at all. The flying part and the medical stuff were not an issue to me as I have never been on medication for the ADD. I recognize the dyslexia as a potential issue and read back all ATC instructions for the double check.

Does your friend want to be on meds, or is it the family and friends that want the meds??
 
The FAA's policy of "Visiting a shrink = automatic medical denial" probably discourages a lot of pilots from getting treatment. Unfortunate but true. IIRC, there is no ADHD medication that is approved by the FAA.

Since the Feds are in control of the medical process, your friend is probably better off not getting treated unless they want to go the LSA route (and let's not revive the myth that Sport Pilots must meet the same medical requirements as private pilots). If they do want to get treatment, I suggest letting their medical lapse, talking honestly with their doctor about meds and flying, getting treatment, and getting a good BFR / checkout with a CFI while on the meds to make sure that their flying skills are good. If they have some good flying history on the meds, their chances of getting a special issuance medical in the future are better (but still small).

In the end, she/he needs to decide whether flying as a PP outweighs getting treatment for ADHD, and only they can make that call.

TODR
 
Yes, meds can help one stay focused...

...but it is not a sure thing. Several different meds are available, different folks react differently to each. The side effects can be quite noticeable by the person taking the meds and may not be deemed worth while.

Age also comes into play here. As the ADD'er ages (typically), they learn how to focus and cope within their particular environment. As I have never been on the meds, I have no first hand "feel" for how they would affect me. And I just happen to like me the way I am thank you.
 
Exercise and the right foods can help.

Over the years I have found there are natural solutions for physical/psychological ailments to include exercise and eating right. I am not a dietitian, psychologist, physician or politician, however our bodies are very responsive and sensitive to good and/or bad foods and habits. Weight alone can have a big impact on how a person feels. Of course none of the forementioned should replace professional/psychological advice. I do wish you the best of luck in finding your solution.
 
I have to say it. I think it is absolutely deplorable that pilots must weigh seeking mental health treatment against the possibility of the FAA taking away the thing they love to do.

Maybe it was growing up with a mother who was a mental health professional, maybe it was seeing the positive effects of psychotherapy and/or medication on several of my friends, but I don't believe the FAA should create an enviornment that discourages people from getting the evaluation and treatment that they need. Sport pilot was a good start, but we need to go further.

Sorry for the rant.:eek:
 
ADD Meds and medical

Calvin,

A real good source for help maintaining your 3rd class with any potentially disqualifying condition is pilot medical solutions. www.leftseat.com. Check them out. I have a friend that had severe Glaucoma problems and he now has his class three back. The only restriction is he must posess his glasses while flying. Although he is over on the dark side "Glasair driver" I keep trying to convert him..:D

Good luck my friend,
 
Any good alternatives/treatment?

My sister who is a mental health hospital administrator has told me for years I am the poster child for ADHD. I always thought she was jesting but at 52 I am feeling like it manifesting itself more, affecting my relationships and it is time to deal with it.
Are there any good references, home treatments or on-line support groups that are effective? Most of what I found are not very helpfull other than confirming we have it. The last thing I want to do is be officially diagnosed and lose my flight privileges forever. Especially since I just ordered my RV-7 empennage kit as a 3 time repeat offender :)
Thanks
 
Friend With ADHD

I have a friend who has ADHS and Turrets. He has been flying for several years. His first 2nd class medical took almost a year to receive.

He and his neurologist needs to submit a load of documentation each year for his medical.

He has stated that if he had to do it today, he would go sport pilot and be done with it.

I don't know about self medicating but if he stopped drinking coffee the Columbian economy would go into a slump.
 
ADHD Help

Rick and others:
I do not have ADD or ADHD but have friends that do. Two of my best friends were diagnosed later in life when they sought help for their children. The wife of one friend is very involved with CHADD. I forwarded your post to her ( I did not give your name etc )and asked her for her thoughts. Her reply is below.

"Hi Jeff,



Hope you are doing well. I have to admit I'm torn here. The thought of someone NOT treating his AD/HD, which would improve his quality of life, is depressing because their is so much help available. On the other hand, I know that our people are often passionate about activities that have a risk-taking element to it. And the FAA isn't savvy in effective medical treatment of AD/HD and they call the shots. We run into this in other aspects of this disorder, ie, the military and the juvenile/criminal justice system. Decisions are made that affect our lives by those who aren't doctors. And 4% to 9% of people have AD/HD.



I'm going to give my 2 cents. But a source for accurate, science-based information, on this topice can be found at www.help4adhd.org This is the CHADD's National Resource Center on AD/HD, which is funded by the Centers for Disease Control. Your colleague can either fill out the form to ask an individual question http://www.help4adhd.org/info_request.cfm or call to speak to an information specialist 1-800-233-4050. As you know there are websites that have either inaccurate information or an ulterior motive, so one has to consider the source of information that is publicly available.



Untreated AD/HD can have many negative consequences: higher divorce rate, higher car accident rate, unemployment or underemployment, etc. The impulsivity,disorganization, and poor planning associated with AD/HD can cause serious problems. So your colleague is right to look into ways of addressing this.



I did a quick google search and this is what I found from an AD/HD publication that addresses a topic specific to being a pilot and having AD/HD:

http://www.additudemag.com/q&a/ask_the_add_medical_expert/1193.html



Treatment of AD/HD is most helpful when it is individualized. Some people need medication, some don't. Research has shown that the "multi-modal treatment approach" or MTA is most effective. So even people who treat their AD/HD with medication, don't just take a pill and go about their day. Although the MTA research pertains to childhood AD/HD, the model can be helpful for adults, and would include: education about AD/HD, therapy (some experts like Cognitive Behavior Therapy), helpful ways of counteracting problem areas like time management, organizing, etc.) and medication if the doctor and patient determine it would be helpful.



On a personal note, if I was 52 and struggling with AD/HD symptoms and flying an airplane is at stake, I would try to get an evaluation and treatment at a city medical center that has a program specifically for AD/HD. Personally, I would be hesitant to locate a psychiatrist or psychologist in my local community. Depending on where you live and the professionals available, it can be hit or miss as far as their knowledge of AD/HD is concerned.


Hope this is helpful. These are my personal opinions and thoughts; I am not speaking on behalf of CHADD."

I hope my friends info is helpful
 
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Thanks for all this information, I have passed it on. I don't think his case is bad, but im not with him 24/7.

From the data I have found, the FAA will still issue a ClassIII with the diagnoses but not if the pilot is still on medication. truth or fiction?




noelf said:
...I responded to your PM with a PM. Everything ok??
Click to expand...

All is well. Just wanted to pass on tips on how to deal with it with out medication and being "branded".

...And to be 100% clear im not him.
 
Tough Issues

Untreated AD/HD can have many negative consequences: higher divorce rate, higher car accident rate, unemployment or underemployment, etc. The impulsivity,disorganization, and poor planning associated with AD/HD can cause serious problems.
Jeff:
Tough position to be put in. Sometimes, ignorance is blisss. Do you stand by until someone crashes a plane with passengers aboard and hope the condition wasn't a contributing factor, or do you say "STOP" , in the interest of everyone who might be involved? At least the Doctors and FAA have black and white guidelines. Don't envy you.
Terry, CFI
RV-9A N323TP
 
Terry, Some of the people I know with ADHD are the brightest folks I have met and excellent pilots.

I have met a few pilots with out ADHD that I would not fly with.
 
"Jeff:
Tough position to be put in. Sometimes, ignorance is blisss. Do you stand by until someone crashes a plane with passengers aboard and hope the condition wasn't a contributing factor, or do you say "STOP" , in the interest of everyone who might be involved? At least the Doctors and FAA have black and white guidelines. Don't envy you.'

Terry it is not me in that position. I have just passed on info from my friend who is very involved with ADHD.

I personally do not know any pilots with ADD or ADHD.

Just trying to help my fellow pilots
 
ADHD in adults carries a stigma which severely affects individuals seeking employment in jobs that individuals with ADHD are naturally good at.

ADHD skilled individuals focus better, multi-task under stress better, and often are able to react in a calculated manner more accurately than those who don't have ADHD. HOWEVER, once diagnosed....good luck getting hired as a cop, a pilot, or even staying in the military.

Some of our greatest leaders in history are thought to have had ADHD.

A very good family friend of mine, DR. Oren Mason has done a lot of research on AADD (Adult Attention Defecit Disorder) and is soon releasing a book on the subject. He lives with ADHD himself and is living proof at what an individual with ADHD can do in life, even without medication. Dr Mason made it all the way through medical school, residency...even being at the top of his class before being diagnosed with ADHD after years of being in private practice.

There are drugs out there today that can safely be taken as an effective treatment which should not preclude a medical....but they are not approved as of yet. I believe there are people working on that....but probably not fast enough.

I am by no means an expert on the subject, but my Dad is an AME and I've been privy to this conversation between Dr. Mason and my father on the subject and found it interesting.
 
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