Excerpts from AME Guide |
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Aerospace Medical Dispositions
Item 47. Psychiatric Conditions - Psychiatric Conditions Table of Medical Dispositions
FAA announces on April 2, 2010 that certain antidepressants will be considered for pilot flight waiver (special issuance). Read more about FAA policy and 6 month amnesty period...
The following is a table that lists the most common Mental Health conditions of aeromedical significance, and course of action that should be taken by the AME as defined by the protocol and disposition in the table below. Medical certificates must not be issued to an applicant with medical conditions that require deferral, or for any condition not listed that may result in sudden or subtle incapacitation without consulting the FAA AMCD or Regional Flight Surgeon. Medical documentation must be submitted for any condition in order to support an issuance of an airman medical certificate.
- Table of FAA Medical Dispositions: Psychiatric Conditions
| Disease/Condition | Class | Evaluation Data | Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjustment Disorders | All | Submit all pertinent medical information and clinical status report | If stable, resolved, no associated disturbance of thought, no recurrent episodes, and psychotropic medication(s) used for less than 6 months and discontinued for at least 3 months - Issue Otherwise - Requires FAA Decision |
| Anxiety | All | See Anxiety Section | May Require FAA Decision--Some AME discretion permitted |
| Attention Deficit Disorder | All | Submit all pertinent medical information and clinical status report to include documenting the period of use, name and dosage of any medication(s) and side-effects | Requires FAA Decision |
| Bipolar Disorder | All | See BP Section | Requires FAA Decision |
| Bereavement; Dysthmic; or Minor Depression |
All | Submit all pertinent medical information and clinical status report | If stable, resolved, no associated disturbance of thought, no recurrent episodes, and; a). psychotropic medication(s) used for less than 6 months and discontinued for at least 3 months – Issue b). No use of psychotropic medication(s) - Issue Otherwise - Requires FAA Decision |
| Personality Disorders | All | See PD Section | Requires FAA Decision |
| Psychosis | All | See Psychosis Section | Requires FAA Decision |
| Pyschotropic medications for Smoking Cessation | All | Document period of use, name and dosage of medication(s) and side-effects |
If medication(s) discontinued for at least 30 days and w/o side-effects - Issue Otherwise – Requires FAA Decision |
| Substance Abuse | All | See Substance Abuse section | Requires FAA Decision |
| Substance Dependence | All | See Substance Dependence section | Requires FAA Decision |
| Suicide Attempt | All | Submit all pertinent medical information required | Requires FAA Decision |
Note: Substance dependence and substance abuse are specified as disqualifying medical conditions.
Note: The use of a psychotropic drug is disqualifying for aeromedical certification purposes. This includes all sedatives, tranquilizers, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs (including SSRI's), analeptics, anxiolytics, and hallucinogens. The AME should defer issuance and forward the medical records to the AMCD.
The FAA realizes that mental healh issues are often important safety considerations. The aeromedical exam will attempt to screen for psychiatric problems related to a compromise of judgment and emotional control or to diminished mental capacity with loss of behavioral control. These are not the same as concerns for emotional health in everyday life. The distinction can be subtle and diagnosis is imperfect. The final verdict often relies on a "skillful judgment call." Some problems may have only a slight impact on an individual's overall capacities and the quality of life but may nevertheless have a great impact on safety. Conversely, many emotional problems that are of therapeutic and clinical concern have no impact on safety.
The FAA has concluded that certain psychiatric conditions are such that their presence or a past history of their presence is sufficient to suggest a significant potential threat to safety. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the AME to be aware of any indications of these conditions currently, or in the past, and to deny or defer issuance of the medical certificate to an applicant who has a history of these conditions. An applicant who has a current diagnosis or history of these conditions may request the FAA to grant an Authorization under the special issuance section of part 67 (14 CFR 67.401) and, based upon individual considerations, the FAA AMCD or Regional Flight Surgeon may grant such a waiver.
Subsections of Mental Health Problems:
- Personality Disorder
- Psychosis
- Bipolar Disorder
- Anxiety Problems
- Substance Dependence
- Substance Abuse
Note: Numbers correspond to the required entry in the AME portion of the FAA Form 8500-8
Note: Numbers correspond to the required entry in the AME portion of the FAA Form 8500-8
