Life said it was my turn for anxiety/panic attacks. Anyone here on a special issuance?
Posted by iskisometimes@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 25 comments
Hello fellow Aviators!
I'm looking for advice from anyone that has gone through this or works with people with a special issuance medical for anxiety/panic attacks.
I'm a career pilot, I flew helicopters for about 15 years and absolutely loved it with no thought of doing anything else. My last job was Air Ambulance. One day I was flying and had a sudden panic attack for absolutely no reason. It was intense and lasted for a minute or so until going away, but the anxiety of having another one was still there. I have no idea what brought it on. i continued to fly after that, some days would be totally clear of anxiety and others i felt like my skin was on fire and it was all i could think about.
I started meditation, working out all the time, taking supplements and using the DARE method for anxiety. It helped a lot, but the anxiety was still there.
For some reason, it was only the thought of flying helicopters that brought on anxiety and panic attacks. I also fly planes and had no problems or worries at all. Because of that, I made the switch to the airlines, where I've been for the last 3 years. Unfortunately i absolutely hate the airline life and schedule. There have recently been a couple moments where i can feel those anxious feelings slowly creeping in. There is a captain at my airline that has a special issuance for being on SSRIs for anxiety, but it was an uphill battle that was almost lost. anyone else have one that can share their story?
I'm considering trying to get help and seek a special issuance. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. I feel like my wings are slowly being stripped and the thought of not being able to fly for my career is horrible.
Thanks, everyone!
ihascutedaughter@reddit
Working out daily. Mentally that helped me overcome health anxiety completely.
Zestyclose_Duck_9359@reddit
Special issuance for anxiety and SSRIs is genuinely possible and more pilots have gone through it than you'd think, they just don't talk about it openly. The key is working with an Aviation Medical Examiner who has real experience navigating the special issuance process, not just any AME, because the paperwork and documentation strategy matters a lot. Reaching out to AOPA's medical certification services is a solid first move, they've helped a lot of pilots through exactly this situation.
Cft789@reddit
I’m currently going through this and can talk about my experience. Currently a captain at one of the Legacies. I started experiencing panic and high levels of anxiety in December. Always been a slightly anxious person but it all just went crazy in December for some reason. Scared the hell out of me and really affected my ability to perform in my job. Talked with our union and they got me going down the right path of removing myself from flying duties and seeking mental health therapy and then SSRIs as well for my panic attacks. That was in January. Now after many therapy sessions and 4 months of SSRI treatment I’m feeling a lot better and getting a lot closer to feeling confident in going back to work.
The FAA has gotten way more better in dealing with these things. A lot of pilots who get the help they need return to flying. I’m using my union, AMAS and my HIMS AME to help me get my stuff together for when I return. If you think you’re gonna go down the SSRI pathway, you have to be stable on your dose for 90 days. Then do some testing with a neuropsychologist. Then gather all your treatment records and meet with a HIMS AME to submit to the FAA. It is A LOT of legwork, but doable. Also the FAA has really sped up their processes and people are getting approved to return to work within 1-3 months now. Feel free to reach out if you have questions
iskisometimes@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for sharing. It really means a lot for me, and others that are experiencing anxiety and nervous to pursue help, to hear from people going through the process. It's also refreshing to hear that the FAA has taken a better stance on SSRIs.
I'll message you with some questions!
BerryChoice9042@reddit
@everyone on this topic... I have the utmost respect for you for recognizing this and being honest with yourselves! And that is exactly why this shouldn’t—and won’t—be the end of your flying careers!
The most important thing, the thing that matters more than your careers, is your health!
I wish you all the very best!
OnigiriEnthusiast@reddit
I'm right behind you in the process. Started my SSRI journey 2 weeks ago for anxiety and possible OCD. I was floored and grateful to hear the FAA taking a much more open stance to mental health
pppoopppdiapeee@reddit
I also don’t have any specific aviation advice but I’ve struggled with panic attacks and recently found out I have a gluten allergy. Once I cut out gluten it reduced a lot of my stomach pain and a ton of my anxiety.
The fact that you never had panic attacks and suddenly started getting them, unless you have a clear emotional stressor, might point to a dietary or medical stimulus. There’s a strong connection between your gut health and central nervous system. The abrupt doom and panic you described sounds very familiar. Mental medications may only be a bandaid.
iskisometimes@reddit (OP)
It's good advice. I've had a general health check and blood tests and nothing has come back abnormal, but I haven't taken a deep dive into thyroid or cortisol levels.
pppoopppdiapeee@reddit
It took me like 3 years of doctor (different specialties) and therapy visits to narrow it down, and I had to do most of the heavily lifting figuring out what it was. I was also getting a ton of rashes and dermatologists were so quick to just say eczema and throw steroid creams at me. I wouldn’t let one check or one visit determine that you’re all clear. Doctors see what they wanna see and gut health, especially microbiome, is not easily tested for.
finnknit@reddit
Have you discussed your supplements with your doctor? Depending what supplements you're taking, some supplements can worsen anxiety.
iskisometimes@reddit (OP)
I haven't talked with a doctor, but the supplements are just magnesium and a regular multivitamin. I haven't noticedmy anxiety worsen since I've taken it, but I'll look into that. Thanks!
bpsocal@reddit
As a supercommuter who has had to deal with many freeway panic attacks, and now I’m stating my PPL, I can honestly say a couple of things.
The panic comes when you fear it. Once you completely understand that it’s just a sensation and not danger, your perspective about it will change and it’ll fade. Then it might return out of nowhere and you once again have to retrain yourself to not react.
Also, EMDR therapy can get you closer to understanding and healing the part of you where these come from. Look into it, it’s very effective for PTSD and panic attacks are a form of PTSD.
Thirdly, when you feel the tension building, intentionally relax your lower body first, then your upper body. You may have to do this repeatedly for several minutes but eventually your mind will get bored of you not panicking and move on to something else.
Somewhere I read a quote that is very relevant to panic attacks: when you’re ok with everything, everything will be ok.
Don’t fear having one. It won’t ever rise to the level of dangerous, it’s just discomfort.
iskisometimes@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Good luck with your PPL!
Tangata_Tunguska@reddit
I'm assuming you've had work up for physical causes of panic?
weakplay@reddit
Absolutely this - untreated hormone (thyroid) imbalance causes all sorts of weird reactions - I’ve been medicated for hypothyroidism for 45 years and when it gets out of whack I start getting random panic attacks. Not a pilot but absolutely wish you well OP. Hope you sort it out.
CanIEatAPC@reddit
Ok I don't have good advice for you, but I would also just check your general health at the hospital. My dad was helicopter flyer for long time, he has some health issues from it. Maybe you had anxiety as a symptoms of something else? Helicopters have lot of vibration and noise compared to a regular airliner.
WorkingOnPPL@reddit
Practice mental reprogramming. When you feel the uncomfortable feelings coming on. Mentally tell yourself “I completely accept the way I feel right now, everything is going to be fine.” Do it 500 times a day if you need to at first…in coming months your nervous system will calm down and you will feel a lot better.
iskisometimes@reddit (OP)
Thanks, I actually do a version of this. There's the "DARE" method that I've been using since it first happened and it's helped a ton.
Griff1604@reddit
I don’t have anything of value to offer to your specific questions, but I just want to wish you the best. I’m in a similar spot mentally and I know how hard it can be. We will get through this, and we will get back to doing what we love. Stay positive brother
iskisometimes@reddit (OP)
Sometimes it's enough to know that there are other people going through the same thing and you're not alone. Thanks, friend. We'll get through it.
Griff1604@reddit
🫶
Living_Guess_2845@reddit
Vitamin B can give a panic feeling in higher doses and it's used in a number of energy drinks. Any chance you hydrated on something different that day?
iskisometimes@reddit (OP)
That's a great point, I don't drink energy drinks or caffeine in general, but possibly a multivitamin? There wasn't anything unusual that happened that day. Thanks for the thought though.
bustervich@reddit
If you work for an ALPA carrier you could talk to AMAS for free. They could walk you through the process, but I’d also recommend familiarizing yourself with the AME Guide, which is an essential document to know about for any airman on the last half of their career.
iskisometimes@reddit (OP)
I'll check in with AMAS. I've never seen that guide before, it has some useful information in it outside of anxiety. Very helpful, Thank you!