Psychiatrists

[cnielson79]

I saw a psychiatrist when I was a kid for ADHD, and I admitted to it on my CHL application. The DPS wants me to see a psychiatrist again to state that I either have no condition that would impair my judgment or that it is in remission. The problem is, the doctor I saw as a kid is in Minnesota and I haven't seen him in over 20 years. I need something from the last 6 months. I tried going to a psychiatrist here in Beaumont, he refused to even do an evaluation because he doesn't know my history. Does anybody know of any psychiatrists that will do an evaluation. I have a letter from my old doctor stating what his diagnosis was. I do not have time to waste! I am willing to travel as far as Houston.

[cb1000rider]

I am not a doctor. I am not a lawyer. I'm a pilot and have seen lots of discussions on issues that "disqualify" pilots for similar circumstances. This is not medical advice:


Basically the doctor diagnosed you with a condition that is life-long and chronic and the feds are basing their information off of that because you disclosed it.

You need to pull all of your medical records for the last X years. That's your history. If you don't keep them, perhaps you can remember who your doctor(s) were and pay to print out your patient records. Remember than *any* mental issue - treatment for depression, PTSD, etc is probably disqualifying, so you'd need to be completely clear of that stuff.

For pilots that run into this condition - IE an incorrect ADHD diagnosis, here's what you need to do (at least in the case of the FAA) to get them to clear you:

"Who may perform a neuropsychological evaluation? Neuropsychological evaluations must be conducted by a licensed clinical psychologist who is either board certified or “board eligible” in clinical neuropsychology. “Board eligible” means that the clinical neuropsychologist has the education, training, and clinical practice experience that would qualify him or her to sit for board certification with the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology, the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology, and/or the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology."

Expect to spend $1200-$2500.

Do a google search for "Specs for NP Evals-ADD & ADHD-2013-01.pdf"

My guess is some lower bar will clear you as the FAA even wants to see the results of pilot's colon exams and many of us are happy to send the full video... But this should get you started in regard to how to respond to the request for information. Saying "no medical records" probably won't get it done.

[mojo84]

I do not believe this is correct for CHL qualification.

Remember than *any* mental issue - treatment for depression, PTSD, etc is probably disqualifying, so you'd need to be completely clear of that stuff.

[jmra]

I hope you are able to get this resolved. Unfortunately it is much easier to find a psychiatrist who will diagnose you with a problem than it is to find one who is willing to declare someone previously diagnosed with an issue now mentally fit.
It may be easier to apply for an out of state nonresident license.

[cb1000rider]

I do not believe this is correct for CHL qualification.

Remember than *any* mental issue - treatment for depression, PTSD, etc is probably disqualifying, so you'd need to be completely clear of that stuff.

It's largely self reporting. The OP self-reported an incident in his childhood. If you're right, why would they flag that?
On the FAA side, once diagnosed with something in the DSM, it's a big problem if it's considered a life-long condition (like ADHD). Depression is different as it can be chronic or situational, but I can tell you that on the aviation side that the federal government treats it like chronic until the doctors say it's situation and provide a very specific set of circumstances to support it.


The PTSD thing is pretty well documented- if the VA is pulling veterans ability to manage their own finances, do you think they're going to OK gun ownership? PTSD may be OK at some level below that - I really don't know much about it, nor is PTSD as common as treatment of depression, alcoholism, anxiety - you know, the common stuff that will probably situationally affect most of the population at some time in their life. But the common thread here is that once a doctor diagnoses it and you self-disclose (or the government is made aware) you'll probably have to prove that it's no longer a factor.

Lots of parallel here with aviation medical. Both require sound mind and good judgment - and proving it to the government. Both require voluntary disclosure (in most cases). There are doctors that specialize in just clearing pilots of these sorts of conditions.

[toddlinder]

In the DFW area I know of a few folks that could do this, but no one in the Beaumont area. As a mental health practitioner I don't think this will be that hard - you just need someone to evaluate ADHD today, if no ADHD symptoms then it is an easy letter to write. If there are then they are just evaluating functioning and judgement. Again, I think it is a relatively easy letter to write. I am thinking you should be able to get all that for $500 or so. Just my experience.

[viking1000]

The VA is asking these and other questions on every visit to your primary care physician ...
I will leave it at that..

[mojo84]

The OP isn't talking about a pilot's license, the VA or PTSD.

Hopefully he can get to the bottom of this. I don't believe ADHD or depression is an automatic as disqualifier as indicated in the sentence I quoted.

[cb1000rider]

Mojo, I hope you're right. The OP is looking for a doc that can "undo" the diganosis of ADHD. If he's not having any luck, I think the pilot resources might be valuable because I know that finding a doc with the right credentials is key with the federal government.

And again, I hope I'm wrong, but think about it this way: A medical doctor has provided a diagnosis of a certified condition (DSM) that affects judgment. The OP disclosed the diagnosis. It's not a transitory condition (if the diagnosis is right). I don't see how it wouldn't be disqualifying without a doctor contradicting that diagnosis.

[mojo84]

Mojo, I hope you're right. The OP is looking for a doc that can "undo" the diganosis of ADHD. If he's not having any luck, I think the pilot resources might be valuable because I know that finding a doc with the right credentials is key with the federal government.

And again, I hope I'm wrong, but think about it this way: A medical doctor has provided a diagnosis of a certified condition (DSM) that affects judgment. The OP disclosed the diagnosis. It's not a transitory condition (if the diagnosis is right). I don't see how it wouldn't be disqualifying without a doctor contradicting that diagnosis.

I don't think "undo" is the correct term either. A diagnosis like that is hard to real back in or undo unless they can determine he was misdiagnosed or grew out of it. He needs a doc that will evaluate him and state he is not a threat to himself or another due to his previous diagnosis of ADHD. Considering ADHD and even minor to moderate depression is not a known leading cause of violence or suicide, I don't think it should be too hard for him to overcome this.

We all need to be very careful when it comes to lumping all DSM diagnosis into one categories that justifies the denial of someone's rights or liberty. Not all illness is a deadly cancer and not all cancer is deadly.

[mojo84]

I was just thinking about this further. Being in the health insurance business, I would bet you would be shocked if you knew what percentage of people have been diagnosed with some sort of DSM diagnosis in the past or is being treated now. If all of those illnesses were dis-qualifiers with regard to gun ownership or CHL licensing, there would be a surprising few people that would legally own or carry guns.

[The Wall]

Contact the doctor in MN. and see if he can help you without you going there. It might worth it to go see him and get the paperwork you need. You may need this for other things in the future other than a CHL. Aren't childhood records sealed? Was wondering why you needed to tell them at all. Other than being honest, do you have to disclose that far back? Good luck!

[cb1000rider]

I was just thinking about this further. Being in the health insurance business, I would bet you would be shocked if you knew what percentage of people have been diagnosed with some sort of DSM diagnosis in the past or is being treated now. If all of those illnesses were dis-qualifiers with regard to gun ownership or CHL licensing, there would be a surprising few people that would legally own or carry guns.

That's my concern also. I've read that something like 75% of the population will be diagnosed with some form of depression in their lifetime. I don't know if that statistic is true, but it's alarming.

Most of the mental illnesses that are chronic, treatable, in-curable, and affect judgement are lifelong dis-qualifiers for aviation. Things like bi-polar, ADHD, etc. I'd be surprised if they're not disqualifies for CHL also. It's typically expensive to un-diagnose and may require some hoops once disclosed (or discovered / submitted as in the case of VA).

[mojo84]

I think the standards for aviation are much higher than for gun ownership and chl.

[Grdollaway]

Hey there, I had a similar situation that I had to work through. I found a doc in the Austin area and took a few tests. And was successfully undiagnosed with depression from a long time ago. I have an additional thought though too. My question is when I have to reply will I have to take get another evaluation? I will have to see in the fall of 2017.