Situational depression

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Feeling low

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This is tough to post. I went through a period of situational depression utilizing a PhD psychotherapist and one of the approved SSRIs (citalopram) 10 years ago due to my wife passing from cancer. It was really tough with a young daughter wondering why mommy can’t come home. Things have been good since, remarried, have 2 great kids with her, good job, no issues. I went through the process to get my third class via SI off the meds 9 years ago and was released into the wild, free of the SI after the 1 year update. I’ve maintained a third class ever since.

Fast forward to last month. My daughter and only child from my first wife was killed by a drunk driver. Feels like everything is crashing. I know health is important and have an appointment scheduled with a psychologist. I’m sure another round of SSRIs could help.

I think I can continue flying under Basic Med when I’m ready. But, I have a cabin in Canada that I can only get to with my float plane. Need a third class to do that. I’m not sure if I can go north using the Sport Pilot option while on basic med under MOSIAC.

I’ve read here that situational depression can only be a one time thing. I’ve had 2 major life events separated by a decade. Does that matter. Is Basic an option if my GP signs off. Is there a path with minimal to no risk to get back on a third class? Looking for options once the head is back on straight.
 
The problem is Canada does not recognize Basic Med.

I’d check out a good licensed Prof. Counselor and use him/her intensely. It does sound like you have a handle at least on a piece of this….

Such use of the counselor should likely not impact your re-issuability under the June 26 2024 policy revisions…..
 
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I’m very sorry for your losses.

The above comments about Canada not recognizing Basic Med are correct, but perhaps there’s an outside the box option. Could your wife get her 3rd class and pilot’s license and serve as PIC when you fly to your cabin?

I’ll also mention that some people have successfully handled depression with non-prescription dietary supplements such as St John’s Wort or Passion flower. Talk with your psychologist about options before jumping to an SSRI.

Bottom line, though - HEALTH FIRST. You owe it to your wife and kids to take care of yourself.
 
Depression is a completely normal human response after the situations the OP experienced. I'm not so sure that psychotropic drugs are equally "normal", although they seem to have become the standard way to manage it.

Of course, I'm not a fan of big pharma either . . .
 
Hey, OP - why not just sell your Canadian cabin and buy a place in the Bahamas? The Bahamas accept Basic Med and Sport Pilot, unlike those discriminatory Canadians.
 
That's a lot of tragedy in rapid succession for a single individual given the age of the departed, statistically speaking. My condolences. This life I tell ya.
 
Feeling low said:
. Is there a path with minimal to no risk to get back on a third class? Looking for options once the head is back on straight.
Click to expand...

My thought for you is get all of the grief counseling that you feel you need.
Do your best to avoid medication.

Your cabin in Canada isn’t going anywhere and will be waiting for you when you are ready.

Deepest sympathies to you for the loss of your daughter.
 
Pills help fix the abnormal reaction to the normal situation (brain chem issue).
Pills don’t fix the normal reaction to the abnormal situation.
You are allowed to be depressed here.
 
Unless you’re having some sort of behavioral issues that stem from dealing with the pain, I would stay far clear of psych meds. They’re meant to prevent destructive reactions to human emotions. They’re not meant to curb the emotions themselves. Taking them to escape feeling the pain is akin to drinking your problems away or self medicating with illicit drugs. Sure it may numb the pain, but in the end the pain is still there. You’re going to have to deal with it. Might as well get it done and over with.

The only way to get through it is to go through it.

My sincerest condolences.
 
My sincerest condolences. I may have some helpful information to share with you. Feel free to reach out to me at 903-407-5319 if you are so inclined.
 
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