Apr 9, 2007, 9:06 AM
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Mental Disabilities
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What kind of mental disorders do you think should keep a person from skydiving?
I mean...some are fairly obvious. If a person is actively suicidal, or severely disconnected from reality....but what about something like ADD/ADHD? Or medicated depression?
How do ADD/ADHDers deal with keeping their focus in the right place? I know with my skydives, I had difficulty with sensory overload and so I didn't even remember to check my altimeter. Advice?
I had difficulty with sensory overload and so I didn't even remember to check my altimeter. Advice?
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The sensory overload will pass with time and you will start to feel more at home in the sky but may I suggest, buy an audible. Your analog should be your primary at this stage and you need to make a habit of using it but you won't last long if you don't pull so wake up and start looking at that thing!
are you treated? I have adhd. If my medication wears off during a dive, I have lousy landings or land far from target. Get treatment. and don't say "I don't have insurance". If it is important to you, you'll get treatment.
Perhaps you could consider an extended release version of your medication. While even the extended release will eventually wear off, 8-12 hour effective period is a bit easier to deal with than four hours.
Perhaps you could consider an extended release version of your medication. While even the extended release will eventually wear off, 8-12 hour effective period is a bit easier to deal with than four hours.
J
No ER version of Strattera yet, otherwise I would so be there. I'll have to wait for the patent to run out before the Lilly decides to make an ER version. I do make sure that I am aware of the TIME when I jump. And will often take a dose earlier if necessary to be sure it doesn't wear off while I'm on a load.
In my opinion, it's just as Pope said, it's case by case. People tend to be unique, and if the disability doesn't get a lot in the way in skydiving. Than it shouldn't be a problem, but people really have to know their limitations.
Quote:
How do ADD/ADHDers deal with keeping their focus in the right place? I know with my skydives, I had difficulty with sensory overload and so I didn't even remember to check my altimeter. Advice?
I think you have to give it time, there is a lot to focus on. I've lost altitude awareness one time too, during AFF. Luckily I was aware at the most crucial time, but then again, I felt foolish. Some things have to grow in time, there is so much happening, in such a short time span. Just practice a lot, mentally and practically. I look almost neurotically on my altimeter.
By the way, I have ADD in combination with PDD-NOS (autism).
I have adhd. If my medication wears off during a dive, I have lousy landings or land far from target.
Interesting.
I'm ADD and not currently on medication. I was diagnosed at age 30; at that point I had about 500 jumps. I was on Ritalin for the first year or so after being diagnosed and did not like jumping on it at all.
I think it says something that the FAA won't give a medical to anyone who is on Ritalin.
There are other medications out there besides ritalin for adhd. Two of which, non-amphetamine drugs include Strattera and Wellbutrin. Imipramine, an old antidepressant, also is prescribed for ADHD
If a jumper takes SSRIs, they'd better ensure they're not missing doses. Detox from SSRIs leads to ticks that resemble a mild case of Tourette's...not really good in FF or under canopy...
