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Psychiatric disorders and flying

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The key consideration in this area is identical to other medical conditions, i.e. will the condition interfere with the safe conduct of the flight or will the flight environment exacerbate the condition? (1,2,3)

With the modern management of many psychiatric conditions, air travel should not be a problem for the majority of individuals. It is however essential that the condition is stable and if medication is required it is taken regularly.

The main areas for concern are people whose behaviour may be unpredictable, aggressive, dis-organised or disruptive. In these circumstances, air travel would be contra-indicated. Patients with well-managed psychotic conditions may require an escort to ensure regular medication and to assist in case of problems. The escort may be a reliable companion or in more difficult cases, a qualified health professional. Taking a careful history eliciting, especially, details of previous disturbed or disorientated behaviour is particularly important.

  • alcohol dependency - patient will need to have undergone full detoxification before flight in order to avoid risk of withdrawal (1)

  • anxiety and phobia states - phobia about air travel or claustrophobia may prevent air travel. Anxiolytics to be used during flight must be tried before flight in order to assess efficacy and side effects (1)

The following table is provided as a guide only to the timeframe that should elapse between a medical event and the intended flight. The timeframes may be changed following considered medical assessment of a specific case (2,3):

Diagnosis

Assessment required by a doctor with aviation medicine experience

Accept as fit to fly if:

Comments

Acute psychosis

Episode within 30 days (e.g. mania, schizophrenia, drug induced)

This is for safety reason. Consider medical escort

Chronic psychiatric disorders

If significant risk of deterioration in flight

If properly controlled by medication and stable (i.e. living out in the community taking care of all own needs including medication)

For up to date advice then check current guidance (2,3).

Note that these are only guidelines - each airline has its own regulations and medical standards and these must be checked before flying.

Reference:


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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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