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Original poster

ADHD and the military. Diagnose or not?

143 replies

OverTheHillAndDownTotherSide · 29/05/2023 20:24

DD is 12. She has always wanted to be a pilot, potentially in the RAF.

She is currently undergoing assessment for ADHD. When we spoke with the paed about her future desires they advised we may not want the diagnosis made formal if she was potentially going to want to join the military, as they will ask if she has ever been diagnosed and would have restrictions of the answer was yes.

She’s only 12 so things could change of course but someone said it would be better to take the diagnosis and get the support and hope that by the time she might be looking to a military career she would have the ADHD under control.

I think it’s too big of a risk in terms of narrowing her potential future options.

school have said confirmation of the traits is enough to get the support she may need for exams etc.

(It’s highly likely I have ADHD as well. Have forged a good career despite the struggles but do wonder what else I could have been had I had the support at her age.)

Shes in the NHS process as well but unlikely to be seen for 2.5-3 years. Plan would be for her to join air cadets at 13 to decide whether it is something she would want to pursue. If it puts her off she could then get the formal diagnosis at 15 ahead of GCSEs.

what would you do?

OP posts:
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lljkk · 29/05/2023 20:30

Doesn't look like a bar to joining as long as they are unmedicated.
Keep in mind that Army & probably Navy also have pilots.

ADHD and the military. Diagnose or not?
StillMedusa · 29/05/2023 20:34

I hate to say it, but if it's truly what she wants... don't get the diagnosis.
ADHD IS on the list of restrictive conditions and while it might not make it impossible, it will make it a lot more difficult to get in..and especially for Officer training.

My Eldest has ADHD and always wanted to be a doctor (and she IS now a doctor btw!) She looked into joining up (Dh was in the RAF and it pays a fantastic bursary for med students!) but her ADHD pretty much precluded her from going down that route (diagnosed and medicated from age 7 so well under control by the time she was at Uni)

Obviously if she is not able to function at school and is likely to tank her exams without meds etc.. then needs must, but if she is able to manage reasonably well, then it will be much easier to get into the RAF without a diagnosis.

And good for her knowing what she wants to do.. DD told me aged 4 she was going to be a doctor (she liked seeing how bodies worked) and NEVER changed her mind!!

Original poster
OverTheHillAndDownTotherSide · 29/05/2023 20:35

It’s the flying aspect that’s a concern.

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Original poster
OverTheHillAndDownTotherSide · 29/05/2023 20:36

Eg

ADHD and the military. Diagnose or not?
OP posts:
Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 29/05/2023 20:40

Surely not disclosing could put dd and others in potential danger?

gogohmm · 29/05/2023 20:41

Depends on what you are trying to achieve with diagnosis. By this i mean, are you looking to medicate because that would be a bar. A non medicated diagnosis isn't a complete bar but flying will have stricter rules than for instance ground based engineers. Needing extra help at school could also cause issues for pilot training, however dd for instance is dyslexic and fully supported in the military (not flying again)

Does she need a diagnosis? Only you can decide

HoldingTheDoor · 29/05/2023 20:41

Surely not disclosing could put dd and others in potential danger?

Exactly. Have you considered that there are usually very good reasons for these restrictions?

SilverCatStripes · 29/05/2023 20:42

Get the diagnosis. My DH has spent many of his years in the forces working at training facilities, from instructor up to welfare officer and RSM , and they are very supportive of ADHD, in fact it is seen as a plus for some roles.

Also worth considering that not getting the diagnosis won’t make the condition go away, but it will make accessing support a lot harder.

gogohmm · 29/05/2023 20:43

Consider whether she meets the criteria for adhd? If so you need to prepare her that she cannot fly, but instead encourage her to look at engineering for instance, air engineering on a carrier perhaps?

RedToothBrush · 29/05/2023 20:43

OverTheHillAndDownTotherSide · 29/05/2023 20:36

Eg

It's not that clear. Do a bit more googling. It not a flat ban from flying

HoldingTheDoor · 29/05/2023 20:44

Also worth considering that not getting the diagnosis won’t make the condition go away, but it will make accessing support a lot harder.

And this. I wasn't diagnosed with autism and dyspraxia until I was in my early 20s. It'd have really helped me if I could have been diagnosed while still in school.

SquirrelSoShiny · 29/05/2023 20:46

Hmmm that's tricky. I have ADHD very late diagnosis and I have paid a high cost in health terms. Diagnosis helped me understand myself better and was beneficial.

For your DD though I would be careful because of the career she wants.

Original poster
OverTheHillAndDownTotherSide · 29/05/2023 20:48

Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 29/05/2023 20:40

Surely not disclosing could put dd and others in potential danger?

I’ve reached my mid 40s without realising I have ADHD. How many undiagnosed pilots are there, I wonder?

OP posts:
Original poster
OverTheHillAndDownTotherSide · 29/05/2023 20:52

She’s a wonderful girl. Academically gifted, creatively talented. I don’t want to restrict her future potential.

she is exhausted from masking at school. I was hoping coaching could help her but would consider meds if advised.

From the assessment so far I believe she will be diagnosed. She has all of the traits for inattentive type and several of the hyperactive (although more mental than physical as per the more typical female presentation).

school will support if we have a “could be diagnosed” statement from the paed.

OP posts:
Original poster
OverTheHillAndDownTotherSide · 29/05/2023 20:53

SquirrelSoShiny · 29/05/2023 20:46

Hmmm that's tricky. I have ADHD very late diagnosis and I have paid a high cost in health terms. Diagnosis helped me understand myself better and was beneficial.

For your DD though I would be careful because of the career she wants.

Exactly. I don’t know what to do for the best.

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RedToothBrush · 29/05/2023 20:53

Its a catch 22. If she doesn't have the diagnosis it might limit her ability to achieve her dream if she does have it, it may bar her.

In which case it might not be the thing for her.

However Google does tell me that the latest FAA guidelines mean it's not a flat ban. It may depend on medical history and require additional assessments. But not a ban.

And she may change her mind about what she wants to do. And that might mean she's not as well placed if she doesn't get a diagnosis.

If she needs a diagnosis, get it.

Original poster
OverTheHillAndDownTotherSide · 29/05/2023 20:53

gogohmm · 29/05/2023 20:43

Consider whether she meets the criteria for adhd? If so you need to prepare her that she cannot fly, but instead encourage her to look at engineering for instance, air engineering on a carrier perhaps?

I suspect she would discount it if there was no hope of flying.

OP posts:
HoldingTheDoor · 29/05/2023 20:56

I’ve reached my mid 40s without realising I have ADHD. How many undiagnosed pilots are there, I wonder?

I'm sure there's some though regular training and medicals probably flags up a lot but I'm not convinced that's a good argument for having even more people with ADHD or other conditions that may affect their performance and safety, and clearly your DD is showing enough symptoms that mean you are looking into a diagnosis, from flying commercial or military planes. Standards for pilots are very high with good cause, perhaps not high enough considering the number of pilots who have been caught drinking/drunk on duty but that's another thread.

SilverCatStripes · 29/05/2023 20:58

Sorry forgot to add - the ADHD may be picked up once she joins up, it is something which is looked out for now.

SleepWhenAmDead · 29/05/2023 20:58

My son has diagnosed ADHD and is on meds. He also wants to join the forces. His Nurse Prescriber says that he needs to be off meds for two years to be accepted. She says that she has done this before with other patients successfully. If she needs meds and can't function without them, then the RAF is probably not a great shout for her anyway.

HoldingTheDoor · 29/05/2023 20:59

She’s a wonderful girl. Academically gifted, creatively talented. I don’t want to restrict her future potential.
*
she is exhausted from masking at school. I was hoping coaching could help her but would consider meds if advised.

From the assessment so far I believe she will be diagnosed. She has all of the traits for inattentive type and several of the hyperactive (although more mental than physical as per the more typical female presentation).
*
I'm sure that she's a credit to you but reading your description of her assessment, do you really think that she's the most appropriate person to be flying a plane? Said by someone with autism, dyspraxia and the attention span of a deceased goldfish. These restrictions exist for good reason. There may be other jobs she can do in the military but I'd consider if her being a pilot is safe and feasible.

HoldingTheDoor · 29/05/2023 21:00

Plus support in school now will be so valuable to her. (I know it's often far from easy to access it but an diagnosis is a good start.)

BodyKeepingScore · 29/05/2023 21:04

OverTheHillAndDownTotherSide · 29/05/2023 20:35

It’s the flying aspect that’s a concern.

Surely if she has ADHD it doesn't matter whether she's diagnosed or not. She'll still have ADHD without any official documentation saying so and therefore won't have had the benefit of any medications (should she need them at any point) or interventions to help her manage. In that case I'd consider that the risks of her joining would exist with or without a diagnosis which puts both her and her colleagues at risk should she struggle to cope.

BodyKeepingScore · 29/05/2023 21:06

Sorry, replied to wrong poster!

highlandspooce · 29/05/2023 21:06

I’ve reached my mid 40s without realising I have ADHD. How many undiagnosed pilots are there, I wonder?

Of course there must be some, but let's be realistic, if someone ticks all the boxes for inattentive ADHD it's entirely possible they shouldn't be flying the plane. Just because you were late diagnosed doesn't mean your DD is a suitable pilot.

I'm sorry but not getting an assessment when ADHD may be present is an awful thing to consider, not least be due she will need support over the next few tough years in school. Yes I know you don't need a diagnosis to access support but in the real word even with a diagnosis it's a battle all the way.

As for her future, if she has ADHD that will not change by denying her an assessment. It will potentially put other people at risk though.