Situational Anxiety Medications - Self Ground?

[Unregistered #7]

Hey all-

I am currently going through some personal situations that is causing me to feel anxiety and loss of sleep. I recently was relocated to a new state for work away from friends and family, and just recently lost my girlfriend of 7 years. This has caused me to have a lot of stress and anxiety.

I want to numb the pain to get through this time period to heal, but I am afraid of losing my license. Flying is the one thing that helps me clear my mind, and I think about nothing else while in the air.

I was curious about what the FAR's say about medication and self grounding. If I go to a psychiatrist and get a <30 day prescription of xanax or like drug, and self ground, is that something that needs to be reported? I've heard that if it is only based off of a situation and not a lasting mental disorder, it can be unreported.

Also, what about visits to a psychologist, or councilor to talk through the issues?

I'm just a PPL that enjoys flying for recreation, not for hire.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Henning]

Numbing pain isn't a solution, you have to deal with it anyway. It's how you choose to look at life that makes things better or worse. Drugs may make it easier to adjust, but they should not be seen as the adjustment. Easier to take the shrink and pill money and go flying, **** it.

 

[SkyDog58]

Cripes!

My moves in recent years due employment.

2007 - IN to CA
2008 - CA to NV
2009 - NV to CA
2011 - CA to TN
2013 - TN to IL

Life = Change.

Get over it. No need to numb pain with drugs or anything else.

 

[evapilotaz]

You forgot about loosing the girlfriend

 

[Henning]

You forgot about loosing the girlfriend

Yep, that's always a bummer. Still we choose how we think about it.

 

[John221us]

Exercise was a great help when I was I was dealing with my divorce. A good run always makes me feel better.

 

[VWGhiaBob]

Ambien is acceptable for occasional use but only >24 hours before flying to help with sleep. I believe it's no more than 2 x per week. I disclosed use of Ambien not for lack of sleep / anxiety but for frequent international travel (Ambien helps to do a body clock reset...helps a lot with 8 - 12 hour time changes).

The FAA was fine with Ambien, with those limitations. So if occasional use helps you rest better, might try it (make sure the prescription reads with those limitations). At least it won't ground you. (But also check with your AME first, as I'm not a doctor.)

Agree with recommendation for exercise. A one hour walk in a nice place cures a lot and there are no after-effects except better health. Headed out now after a hard day at work.

 

[Mason]

If I go to a psychiatrist and get a <30 day prescription of xanax or like drug, and self ground, is that something that needs to be reported?

Yes. It is.

I've heard that if it is only based off of a situation and not a lasting mental disorder, it can be unreported.

You heard wrong. It must be reported but probably will not be cause for denial.

Also, what about visits to a psychologist, or councilor to talk through the issues?

Yes, reportable, with the specific exception of marriage counseling.


You need to talk to the expert, Dr. Bruce Chien.

 

[SkyDog58]

You forgot about loosing the girlfriend

Not really that big of a deal either.

 

[airbrain]

I've heard that if it is only based off of a situation and not a lasting mental disorder, it can be unreported.

Probably what you are thinking of is that if you were treated for a temporary depression but are no longer, you can still get special issuance. Whereas, if you were diagnosed with chronic or recurring depression, you are pretty much screwed. But in neither case do you get around having to report it.

As for your mental health, I recommend you consult an actual mental health professional over an aviation bulletin board. (And yes, I realize the hypocrisy of that statement.) Ignoring it isn't the same as getting over it.

 

[ollopa]

Feelings of isolation and depression would be normal under these circumstances. Wanting to make these feelings stop is also normal, but medication isn't the solution. Grieving is a process and you will move through it in stages. I recommend trying to find something else to keep your mind occupied and your body active. Exercise is good as it promotes sleep and improves body image. Join Meetup.com and find some local activities to participate in -- it will get you out of the house, give you other things to think about, new people to meet and unload some of your troubles onto, etc. Drugs aren't going to help you get through this.