Can You Be a Pilot If You Are Bipolar?

Marcus Vance
Marcus Vance
• • 6 min read

Certain Medical Conditions Such as a Psychosis, Bipolar Disorder and Severe Personality Disorder Automatically Disqualify a Pilot from Obtaining an Faa Medical...

Can You Be a Pilot If You Are Bipolar?
Certain medical conditions such as a psychosis, bipolar disorder and severe personality disorder automatically disqualify a pilot from obtaining an FAA medical certificate and prohibit them from flying. However, many pilots have conditions that are treatable.

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In this way, can you be a pilot if you have mental illness?

It is commonly believed by the public that pilots are perfect; however, this is not the case. Mental health problems are present in aviation, just like in any other industry, and more must be done to seek this out, both during the career of a pilot and at the hiring stages.

Furthermore, can you be a pilot with schizophrenia? Are their personality disorders that pilots tend to get more than other people? Pilots apt to get all the disorders anyone can get. Pilots have had schizophrenia for example, bipolar illness, or they can already be pilots, and require something like brain trauma. Some of these conditions are pretty disqualifying.

Considering this, what medical conditions prevent you from being a pilot?

  • Angina pectoris.
  • Bipolar disease.
  • Cardiac valve replacement.
  • Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant.
  • Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications.

Can pilots take anxiety medication?

The FAA, Anxiety And Pilots. Any pilot taking any of them would require special issuance, at best. Special issuance is possible for pilots taking Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and Celexa, but no other SSRI class medications.

Related Question Answers

Can pilots see a therapist?

Counseling. If the initial provider a pilot or controller seeks out for assistance is unable to provide adequate counseling, the pilot or controller may be referred to a counseling specialist, psychologist or psychiatrist.

Must Read

Can pilots have PTSD?

However, it is unclear just how many pilots have PTSD. The researchers also found some cases where pilots had concealed their psychiatric conditions from aeromedical examiners — who are responsible for issuing medical certificates. “Psychiatric comorbidity is common with PTSD.
Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance

Cybersecurity & Digital Privacy Researcher
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Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.