What are the most common psychological disorders that could develop in military pilots?

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 14:28:41 -0400

I'm gearing a school assignment towards personal interest. Do military pilots have any sort of increased susceptibility to any kind of psychological disordres? Anxiety disorders from handling all that stress?
I'm referring to disorders that come from the action of flying...meaning not from something traumatic happening while flying...resulting in PTSD.
Thanks everyone for your help

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Oct 27 at 2016 2:53 PM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 14:53:17 -0400

You'd have to actually do research on this, not simply ask the Rallypoint community. What does the literature say? Have you even looked? Furthermore, since psychological disorders take time to develop and often emerge or intensify with age, they may not present themselves until long after a pilot either stops flying or stops flying in the military.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 27 at 2016 3:20 PM

SFC George Smith — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 15:20:08 -0400

they are going to be about the asme thing as the Ground Based PTSD...

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2016 3:45 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 15:45:16 -0400

Very good question.....

Not pertaining to PTSD, I would say paranoia, claustrophobia, agoraphobia (since they are not in control of the aircraft, they are left at the mercy of another pilot). Need to check R&D about this. Check within medical journals that relate with pilots and disorders associated.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 27 at 2016 6:21 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 18:21:29 -0400

As a flyer, if you can refer to a helicopter pilot as such, for the last 25 years, I think the only disorder I have is the will to continue to fly over Afghanistan and Iraq after 15 years to help those who are on the ground. Seriously though, I have not seen any helicopter pilots with disorders from flying. As for the fast movers where they wear pressure suits and move at supersonic speeds and huge g forces, maybe some one will chime in. Just remember, pilots like to fly, and reporting such issues removes one from flight status. They may be out there, but who knows. Good luck finding what you seek.

Response by SSG Shavonde Chase made Oct 27 at 2016 10:23 PM

SSG Shavonde Chase — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 22:23:52 -0400

You have an interesting topic. Please share you results when you are finished.

Most of us on here are not equipped enough to give you actual statistics. I recommend reaching out to behavioral health specialists and researching online.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Oct 28 at 2016 8:39 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 08:39:00 -0400

I raised your question here at Langley to get a few more pilots' perspective. One point they made was the selection and weeding process. About 40% of those who enter pre-UPT elect to not continue or fail out due several factors, and then another 20-30% are eliminated during UPT. The most common self-eliminating cause was called Manifestations Of Apprehension, so their training folder got stamped MOA and they were out. So some who might have been pre-disposed to anxiety or PTSD were weeded out during the training process. Another point made was about the training that forces compartmentalization of thought. And, the nature of flying...it is always more detached from the gore and smell and sounds of combat than a rifleman's perspective. Finally, when your combat mission is over, it's over, and you don't confuse it or mix it with "normal" life like a Humvee driver could.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2016 4:35 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 16:35:29 -0400

I would say anxiety, but it's only a guess. The pressure is pretty high at times.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2016 5:50 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 17:50:06 -0400

Burn OUT? lol LTJG Private RallyPoint Member LTC Stephen F.

Response by LCDR Daniel Vicario made Nov 24 at 2016 2:21 PM

LCDR Daniel Vicario — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 14:21:01 -0500

I am a Naval Aviator with a disorder. Happy to help.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2016 4:50 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 16:50:37 -0500

Motivational exhaustion