(Thumbnail Image: Dr. Shock MD)
Clinically depressed pilots can now fly. This after the Federal Aviation Administration reversed a longtime ban on pilots taking antidepressants.
FAA head Randy Babbitt tells CNN the reasons for the policy change.
BABBITT: "We have people who are either self-medicating or not seeking a diagnosis. Either of those are unacceptable. This change in the policy will allow those people to get the treatment, allow us to monitor and return them to the cockpit as safer, better pilots."
But for those worried medicated pilots could mean less safe flying -- a psychiatrist tells Fox News those fears could be valid.
"To my knowledge, there have been no studies done on the effects of antidepressants and altitude. ... But it is hugely important to find out if there are side effects. We should also find out what the effects are on fine motor skills and reaction time."
Finally, an ABC correspondent clarifies, saying it's not just any pilot or any antidepressant allowed to fly under the policy change. There are restrictions.
"Under the new policy, pilots on medication for depression will be able to keep their jobs, but they will be restricted to one of four drugs -- Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, or Lexapro. And they will be grounded until they've been stabilized on the medication for one year. Only then can they fly.
The FAA doesn't have specific numbers on how many pilots will be affected -- but Fox News estimates 25,000 of the nation's 250,000 pilots could suffer from depression.
Writer: Newsy Staff
Producer: Newsy Staff
