Comment by rogerrogerr

2 days ago

Note that if you ever want to be a pilot, THINK VERY HARD BEFORE GETTING DIAGNOSED OR MEDICATED. This doesn't apply to most people, but it is the major gotcha on an otherwise straightforward decision.

/r/flying is full of people who wish they didn't have this in their medical record. The FAA is totally backwards about medical stuff and has a very dim view towards ADHD & associated meds.

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rogerrogerr

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aidenn0  2 days ago

I've been told that the military also won't take people who have a prescription for Ritalin; not sure if that's true.

OCS wouldn't return my calls, but I think that was more due to my GPA than my prescription for Ritalin.

maxbond  2 days ago

I'm disappointed to acknowledge you have a point. Shame on the FAA for pushing people into the closet with this.

If one did want to become a pilot, I do think it would be critical to determine whether or not they were prone to manic episodes. That really could be very dangerous to a pilot and their crew, passengers, etc.

Also, from my 15 minutes of preliminary research, I don't think that applies to pilots of ultralights. So if your dream is simply to fly, it's still achievable.

  • polotics  1 day ago

    Manic episodes is not and ADHD symptom, you're looking at bipolar here. Please.

    • maxbond  1 day ago

      Yes, you are correct. My point is that a lot of people who self diagnose as ADHD have a different disorder that causes executive function issues, and it's important to rule out bipolar because it has very different consequences. I don't care if someone with untreated ADHD or ASD flies a plane, but untreated bipolar disorder could actually be dangerous. (Not a doctor.)