Cat I medical & ADHD

[sierrawhiskey]

Hello everyone!

I'm currently training for my PPL and it's time for my first medical! I'm looking at getting my Cat I as I plan on heading to commercial flight training and a career in Aviation in the future.

I'm reaching out to all my fellow pilots and student pilots today to talk about ADHD in the aviation field. More specifically how those of you who have ADHD appropriately treat it with respect to the medical certificates.

I'm high functioning and take no prescribed medication. I manage my ADHD through exercise, healthy eating, meditation and mindful practices, along with keeping organized as best I can with a schedule. I would consider my ADHD to be fairly mild but not nonexistent. I find working in aviation is a healthy outlet for me as it keeps my focus on something I'm interested in and have an education to build off of. I currently work as a flight attendant and an aircraft deicer. With that being said I'd like to gain your trust that becoming a pilot with ADHD in my case poses no threat to the public. If I were to wake up one day and find that I was unable to perform or focus I would simply reevaluate from there.

My question to all of you is if anyone here knows if there are any TC approved mild medications to help with ADHD. I've never taken he step to talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist yet and I feel it is my responsibility to take care of my mind the best I can and I realize that medication may be the step I have to take. I am aware the FAA does not allow most stimulants. I can't find any approval list of medications from TC so if anyone has any information about this that would be super appreciated!

Thanks,
From your fellow Student Pilot.

[North Shore]

My inclination would be that if you feel that you don't need meds, and you honestly keep things under control through other means, then don't even broach the subject, as you could be opening a large can of worms.. How do you know that you have ADHD? HAve you been diagnosed as such?
If you root around you'll find a list of medications that the FAA approves for a laundry list of conditions. The nice thing about the FAA is that they say "in order to take 'X' for 'Y' condition you have to do A, B, and C first" so its written down in black and white what the expectations/conditions are.

[Cessna 180]

ADHD and any stimulant medication (along with the nonstimulant medications like Strattera) is a disqualifying condition for any class of medical certificate. If you want to be a pilot, you're going to have to work with an AME, and a psychologist, to say you've outgrown your condition or never had it. It also requires at least 6 months free of medication.

You're correct that TC does not publish a list of medications allowable (neither does the FAA, but doctors have compiled an unofficial list). You'll find if you report the condition of ADHD or taking stimulant medication such as Adderal or Ritalin, you're medical will be deferred and likely denied by Transport Canada. The FAA list is likely verbatim to the methodology TC uses and it's a good starting point to see if a medication is allowable.

You're opening a can of works by talking to a psychologist or doctor and taking medication, especially since it sounds like you've never received a formal diagnosis. However, you need to do what's best for your health.

[paddy]

https://www.aviationdoc.com/articles/20 ... applicants

[Bede]

I was a Ritalin kid. When I got my medical at age 16 I had to get off Ritalin. At the time I never thought yo disclose it and it hasn't come up since.

If you're not on medication, you've probably outgrown it.

PM if you need more advice.

[altiplano]

I remember when they started tossing around ADHD diagnoses and feeding Ritaline and other drugs to good kids, spirited kids like tic-tacs for being nothing worse than an inconvenience to a teacher in class.

Where/when did you find out that you gave/had ADHD?. From who?

As an adult are you hyperactive? Prone to interrupting or acting out?

Look after yourself and your health first.

But if you are living a normal life and just have a diagnosis having over you that you may or may not have gotten from a professional with your best interest in mind because you were an active kid in school who may have acted out a bit... I would put it behind me and never mention it again. You've likely grown out of it, don't let it limit you.

[Beefitarian]

I would have been labeled with those letters as a child if I was not so Old. I was sent to a special class in grade three. Fortunately throwing pills at us was not popular yet.

I have held Catagory 1 medicals. Much like you mention, flying is one of those things I can actually concentrate on.

As you say, exercise is a big deal as in helpful. I can neglect that area sometimes and it’s not bad but if I exercise properly and at least a bit consistently it helps a ton.

[Bede]

Ritalin: the cure for bad parenting since 1954.

I love telling my parents that.

[ayseven]

I think you may discover that the view held by TC is the absolute most conservative one you will ever find. Mental health is an issue in society, but you are going to make your life very difficult if you bring any of it up with TC. They tend to err on the side of caution and stop the presses, while you will need to make a solid case for yourself - which can take time. I am not saying they are wrong or anything, but be aware that they are not concerned FOR YOU, only for your passengers and potential lawsuits etc. Brutal honesty does not get you a Cat 1, unfortunately.

[W5]

I have had Class 1 medicals since 1968. In 2004 lost my medical on an unrelated issue. Needed a neuro-psychological test to get my license back. I did one in 2006, and one diagnosis was that I had (or have had ) ADHD. The report went to TC. Never medicated, and have a class 1 currently.

[tsgarp]

A couple of observations, the OP can take them as they like....

I think you will find a large number of pilots with undiagnosed ADD or ADHD. If it doesn’t affect their ability to get through the training, it won’t affect their ability to get through the job.

Every pilot has two doctors; One doctor to tell TC that the Pilot is well, the other doctor for the pilot to actually talk to.

[Conflicting Traffic]

I think you will find a large number of pilots with undiagnosed ADD or ADHD. If it doesn’t affect their ability to get through the training, it won’t affect their ability to get through the job.

+1

[RadicalRadial]

Just use today as day one to never bring it up again. Diagnosed ADHD and especially if meds are needed is a no go for pilots.

If you are managing without meds then just continue what you are doing and don't even inquire about it if you want to be a professional pilot.

[WhyMe1993]

This has been my dream as well, but I have been diagnosed with ADHD as a child, and on top of that, I went through a hard time with some health related issues such as tinnitus, and as a result, went to the doctor thinking I had depression, and got medication because of it. I went to therapy and got better. I never took the medication though and my doctor even said, at the time, that she didn't think it was depression, and now says I've been stable. I'm not sure what to do at this point, but I've been told not saying anything is a bad path to take. Anyone able to give me some insight? Thanks.

[BluntChrome]

.

[JBI]

Adding my two cents here for future reference to anyone who is researching this topic.

I just completed my medical, and as some people say, you need two doctors. One to tell nothing to so you can get your medical certificate, and another to talk to about your actual problems.

The vast majority of questions that the CAME will ask you are self-reporting, so as long as you don't report it, it won't be an issue.

Some clinics will specifically ask/have a checkbox for ADHD, but since there is no official record of it (even if you got an official diagnosis), there is no way for TC to know that you have the diagnosis.

Best bet is to just not mention anything to your CAME and you'll be just fine. If you do want to mention it to them, I know quite a few pilots that have ADHD, but aren't taking medication. You are not allowed to fly while taking medication, but most CAME's will sign off on your medical if you just have the diagnosis and are high functioning.

TLDR: Don't tell the doctor anything, and you'll be just fine!

I mean, then there's multiple cases of US pilots who were given Jail time for lying on their medical:

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all ... pplication

https://www.avweb.com/uncategorized/dal ... lication/#

So, there's that...

As for the original post - bede is the best person to take advice from.

[gustind]

ADHD For Pilots

In Alberta, the CAMEs can see your provincial medical file. That means that if you are diagnosed with ADHD, they'll see.

The guidance by Transport Canada essentially says that if you meet the diagnostic criteria for having ADHD according to the DSM-5, that is disqualifying. Whether you take medication or not is irrelevant to the situation.

[Bede]

Adding my two cents here for future reference to anyone who is researching this topic.

I just completed my medical, and as some people say, you need two doctors. One to tell nothing to so you can get your medical certificate, and another to talk to about your actual problems.

The vast majority of questions that the CAME will ask you are self-reporting, so as long as you don't report it, it won't be an issue.

Some clinics will specifically ask/have a checkbox for ADHD, but since there is no official record of it (even if you got an official diagnosis), there is no way for TC to know that you have the diagnosis.

Best bet is to just not mention anything to your CAME and you'll be just fine. If you do want to mention it to them, I know quite a few pilots that have ADHD, but aren't taking medication. You are not allowed to fly while taking medication, but most CAME's will sign off on your medical if you just have the diagnosis and are high functioning.

TLDR: Don't tell the doctor anything, and you'll be just fine!

That's absolutely terrible advice for reasons that I've discussed multiple timesnon this forum.

[Bede]

ADHD For Pilots

In Alberta, the CAMEs can see your provincial medical file. That means that if you are diagnosed with ADHD, they'll see.

The guidance by Transport Canada essentially says that if you meet the diagnostic criteria for having ADHD according to the DSM-5, that is disqualifying. Whether you take medication or not is irrelevant to the situation.

Thats true but the Minister can apply flexibility, just like they apply flexibility for many other medical conditions.

I was a Ritalin kid. I always declared and I've never had any issues.