Don’t stigmatise depression after Germanwings crash, says top doctor

[Surya Gayatri]

Source: The Guardian

Britain’s most senior psychiatrist has warned airline authorities to avoid a kneejerk reaction to the crash of the Germanwings flight, insisting that depression should not lead to a lifetime ban for commercial airline pilots.
...
Claims that Lubitz, 27, suffered a prolonged period of severe depression in 2008 and may have concealed continuing problems have prompted calls for those with a history of the disorder to be prevented from flying for commercial airlines.

In a sign of continued nervousness in the light of the tragedy, there were reports on Saturday of pilots offering personal assurances to passengers. One woman tweeted: “Pilot on my @Delta flight announces he and co-pilot are ex-military and ‘we both have wives and kids and are very happy’.”
...
Since the crash, questions have been raised about European Union regulations that permit pilots to fly for commercial airlines a minimum of four weeks after symptoms of depression have been resolved. Pilots are also allowed to fly if they are free of symptoms but on approved antidepressants.



Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/28/germanwings-plane-crash-alps-depression-doctor

---

Very interesting and balanced approach to the issue, from a European perspective.

More insights into Lubitz's family, etc.

Worth reading the whole article.

[hlthe2b]

1. The stigmatization will not be limited to airlines, unfortunately...

If this reaction continues to balloon, I fear for the countless numbers struggling with depression--who would never pose a threat of violence or harm to others--but who surely might succumb themselves to the added sense of hopelessness.

As one who flies not infrequently myself, I do understand both sides, but I hope that an evidence-based approach-- not based on a kneejerk reaction-- will prevail.

[Surya Gayatri]

2. That's why, in IMHO, it is essential that health

monitoring and reporting requirements be reviewed and possibly revised in 'safety-sensitive' industries--first, to calm legitimate public fears, and secondly, to put a stop to the 'hair-on-fire' over-reaction.

[rocktivity]

3. The pilot's depression did not cause the crash

The fact that no one noticed that he was too depressed to be a pilot did.


rocktivity

[Surya Gayatri]

4. Let's say lack of awareness of his mental instability did.

Other mental issues (and perhaps physical) would seem to be more relevant here than his depression. His narcissism and deluded ego-centricity among others.

Monitoring, monitoring, monitoring...

[mopinko]

5. airlines could start by giving more attention to sleep for pilots.

their own policies lead to disrupted sleep cycles and lack of adequate sleep for many pilots and flight attendants, both.

[Surya Gayatri]

6. So very true, and the same goes for ER docs...

[mopinko]

7. especially residents.

an exhausted resident almost cost me my life.

[Surya Gayatri]

8. Sorry to hear that. My bro is an ER doc and has developed

life-threatening health issues due to the wonky on/off sleep cycle he's been on for years.

[mopinko]

10. it was a long time ago

and i dragged her ass out of bed, anyway.

better public health policy would go a lot farther than invading people's privacy.

[Surya Gayatri]

11. Dual-pronged approach, IMHO.

Yes, first and foremost, a more comprehensive, compassionate and supportive public health policy.

Secondly, where the extremely safety-sensitive nature of a given industry requires it, more thorough monitoring and reporting.

Can we agree to disagree?

[imthevicar]

9. I find it dificult to wrap My head around this.

Depression has beat me down several times in my life. But to let someone die because I was depressed enough to off myself? I just can't get passed this point. That's not just suicidal, it just plane (no pun intended.) selfishness. IOW My life sucks so much I'm going to take 100 or so other people with me. Does this bother anyone else?

[Surya Gayatri]

12. As the top Brit shrink says at the link below:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/28/germanwings-plane-crash-alps-depression-doctor

"Dr. Wessely sagely informs the uninitiated public that:
'there is no link between depression and aggressive suicide'."

This guy was carrying around much heavier psych baggage than just depression. Starting with deluded narcissim: "I AM THE CENTER OF THE WORLD".