ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews more common psychiatric disorders and syndromes, as well as treatment options and aeromedical disposition. It presents the FAA requirements, which are similar though not identical to most other aviation authorities' aeromedical psychiatry requirements. The diagnosis of personality disorder is made when an adult shows long-standing and pervasive impairments in their ability to work and co-operate with others. It is not uncommon for pilots referred to mental health personnel who have no prior exposure to pilot personality to be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder or paranoid personality disorder. Cases of alleged pilot suicide in commercial airline operations are generally considered to be rare, although the absence of specific data makes the true extent difficult to determine, particularly if one considers all private aviation and military aviation mishaps. Action-oriented pilots often report feeling more comfortable with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) because CBT focuses on learning skills and utilizes workbooks and homework.
