FAA's Beef with ADHD

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ThatWontFly said:
For anyone interested this looks like the only internet-available record of the FAA's reasoning behind their decision in 2008 to keep properly medicated ADHD pilots off the runways - it is the Journal of Air Law and Commerce's (SMU) publishing of the details of the Dr. Tyghe Nielsen case in which he attempted to use the exact path which we're wondering about. He was a med student and passed his flight tests prior to starting Adderall which he began to take to help him in school as well as professionally (the case dragged on through his graduation), however the FAA found out during an exam and revoked his medical. In his case the idea that he is incapable of piloting the plane without medication holds no water as he was capable of meeting their minimum standards as he had already proven, so why would they decide to hold back his medical if he was a clearly capable person? After reading the paper I would love to say that the FAA presented a very compelling argument with their justification, backed up by facts that were diligently researched and studied... but in reality they won the case despite an incredibly poor stance they took. Upon denial of his medical, Nielsen underwent several psychological evaluations which found he performed at or above average on tasks and, the FAA psychiatric evaluation resulted in an ADHD diagnosis for Nielsen - along with a recommendation to continue taking Adderall indefinitely - but "saw no reason why Nielsen should be denied a pilots license" as he had no adverse symptoms. Despite recommendations he was denied by the Federal Air Surgeon stating that Adderall is a disqualifying medication.

This is where things get kind of...um, silly.

Nielsen brought a lot of character witnesses from his profession to the judge overseeing the case who all had positive things to say about him, as well as affirming his ability to function and be an effective physician while taking Adderall and claimed 40 mg/day was not excessive. Witnesses also noting that for people being treated for ADHD, once stabilized you are monitored but further problems are not expected. If you read Nielsen's portion it honestly is a hell of a defense...

FAA brought the case that "you have ADHD, these are the problems people generally have with ADHD and they're totally incompatible to flight." To make the assertion that was the case they brought up the warnings of potential side effects (the warnings that remove companies from liability) which noted that Adderall may contribute to serious cardiovascular events, adverse psychiatric events, including emergence of new psychotic or manic symptoms and visual distrubances, along with weakness, headache, agitation and a few other things" which was reported by approx 5% of adults taking Adderall. FAA's defense included their expert witness admitting there was no indication that Nielsen suffered from any of Adderall's possible side effects other than occasional trouble falling asleep.

Ultimately the judge sided with the FAA. It found that Nielsen's ADHD was a disqualifying condition because of his symptoms (ironic), and that Adderall was a disqualifying medication because of the potential side effects. While the it was recognized that he was perfectly able to perform his duties as an airman while medicated, the potential severe, life-threatening side effects could arise in the future without warning. Secondly the "judge also chided Nielsen for not taking his medication on occasional weekends and stated that the FAA cannot monitor airmen to ensure that they are taking their medications, that their medications continue to be effective, and that airmen do not develop any advese side effects."

Ironic outcome given that the FAA puts a lot of trust in the pilot to determine if or when they are safe to fly.


To sum it up the FAA's position, based on the argument they presented is; "Did you read the label? Sounds bad."
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Thank God you mentioned that. It really has a lot of similarities with my story. Though the differences are more bigger, like that I'm just a student pilot and I don't plan to share anything with faa or ame about my ADHD.
But the fact that's they absolutely don't care as long as you don't get treatment, mainly, medications instead of good 'ol caffeine and nicotine. Which are also stimulants for all folks thinking that only Adderall or "legal meth" are stimulants, it's just the Adderall is the only thing so far helping me with my infant brain( read some ADHD posts on reddit or anywhere else and you'll get it).
But I disgrace, it's just so ridiculous that even though my CFI is alright with me flying, the FAA can't comprehend some "obviously meth addicted" kid to be a pilot. This the only thing in my life, where I flourish with my ADHD (with meds or not, though they helped me with my training) due to the high stress environment and constant multitasking.
But when I'm done with my flight, I had to go back to my absolutely failing academic performance in college, inability to get work due to low GPA, not being a us citizen and being separated from my family. US government rightly asks me "how dare I leave my authoritarian Russia, to not get drafted and killed, so I would "replace" American workers because too bad I was born in 2nd world country."
Khm..Sorry again. In other words, I just want to fly planes because my brain is too fond of it and wants to go further and improve myself. Inability to become a pilot literally fuels my depression to outright lying in my bed for a day cause why bother, I'll be disappointment anyway.
If you didn't win genetic lottery that I did, you're free to judge my actions. But you have no right to judge the way my brain is wired. Finally, I found someone on this forum, who is asking something more than about his ADHD at 7 years in elementary school and how it will affect his medical.
 
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The original poster attempted to post a profanity and spin-zone filled response here. This thread is over.
 
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