Here is a list of things that automatically disqualify you from being a pilot if you are diagnosed: depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, diabetes, bpd, PTSD, alcoholism or any other substance abuse disorder. Some understandable, most not so. If you are diagnosed with any of the above the only way to be allowed to fly is to get certified as being completely cured of your condition.
It's difficult for the FAA to prove you have been diagnosed with anything, but easy to prove if you are receiving treatment for anything. So the natural end result is that pilots don't go to the doctor for any of the above.
It's an open secret that the majority of pilots have ADHD and just live with it untreated because of these rules. Aviation feels like a job designed for people with ADHD, it's hilarious. There has been a huge pilot shortage developing these last few decades because as medical practice has improved, pilots get diagnosed before they get their license and realize they are supposed to hide it and suffer in silence if they wanna be a pilot.
Idk where to post this but it's too long for the mega thread so here. Sorry it has nothing to do with communism, as old farts who refuse to get with the times is one of the few big problems we face that isn't unique to capitalism.
Edit: Extra fun thing is I had successfully managed to make myself forget about flying until it came back recently and now it's the only thing I can think about again. When I found out I wasn't allowed to be a pilot I had to force myself to forget, and I guess I forgot why I wasn't supposed to think about planes anymore.
It's just the opposite actually. There are so many things to keep track of that interact with each other in real time ADHD makes it easier. The name is super outdated and not an accurate description of what it is, the only reason it is still used is there are legal protections for people with "ADD and ADHD", but there are no legal protections for people with whatever new name they would use instead.
Ah that makes sense. To be honest I really don't know much about ADHD, I'm still operating under the old presumption that it's when you can't concentrate, hence why I thought it'd be a bad fit for a pilot.
It's less you can't pay attention and more you have trouble focusing on a task that doesn't sufficiently stimulate you, but when you do you hyperfocus on that task and turn into the Terminator.
Plus various other associated symptoms like Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, sexual dysfunctions, masking, among several others, and common comorbidity with other conditions.
All those different buttons, knobs and display screens, and they all do different things! ADHD heaven :chefs-kiss:
Plus you get to say cool stuff on the radio while pressing the buttons.
And you get to wear unique clothes that are already picked out for you in the morning, so instead of worrying about your outfit, you can just focus on brushing your teeth and showering to get out the door (flight suits are amazing, too, they're fireproof footy pajamas). Also, these clothes have a specifically encoded social meaning that spares you from having to communicate aspects of your character and occupation like a neurotypical.
"V.A.S.T." is commonly used outside North America. "Variable Attentiveness Stimulus Trait." Not only is it a better descriptor, but telling a kid (or adult) they're deficient or disordered when diagnosed can be pretty hard on them.