I recently lost my son. I am struggling with my mental health and it feels like I am getting worse. I plan to get help. I may ask for medication.
I have a PPL and 3rd class medical.
What are the likely impacts?
First of all,
health first. Flying is secondary.
But that's not what you asked, so.....
The FAA has established protocols and several approved antidepressants, so it is quite likely that you could get approval and continue to fly under your Class 3.
@bbchien has expertise in this area, having had a role in writing the protocols, so a private consultation with him would be a good idea. You would likely need a Special Issuance and you may have some hoops to jump through; sometimes this becomes expensive and takes a long time.
An alternative to the FAA hoops would be Basic Med, and in fact you might want to go ahead and get Basic Med in place right away just to take the worry off your plate. Basic Med does require a one-time special issuance for certain mental health conditions,
but simple depression is not one of them. Here's the FAA guide:
Operating under Basic Med might give you and your treating physician more flexibility in your treatment without the added anxiety about what could happen to your Class 3 medical. Regardless, be cautious of side effects of any prescribed medication and discuss your desire to fly with your doctor.
Having your Class 3 revoked will wipe out your ability to go with Basic Med, so tread cautiously if you work with an AME or seek to renew your medical.
You might want to try counseling first. I'll note that many ministers are trained in grief counseling and such visits can be done outside the insurance and medical records system. If you're part of a church, a discussion with your pastor or priest would be a good idea, and he might be able to recommend a counselor.
I have also known people to have good results with natural remedies, such as St John's Wort or Passion Flower, which can be bought OTC. Be aware that these can take several weeks to build up in your system and become effective, but they do work for many people. While these are not prescription substances, it would still be wise to discuss them with your physician before you try them.
Hope all this helps a bit. I can't tell you how sorry I am for your loss. There are some things that only time can heal, and some that time alone can never heal. Seek wise counsel and take care of yourself.
