Anti-depressants allowed? Employment discrimination?

Straw men and outrageous hypotheticals are a sloppy way to argue.

I've had close friends who suffer from schizophrenia, I had a sibling spend time in a psychiatric hospital, it is not as if I have had such a sheltered life as to never encounter or deal with individuals who have or do suffer from mental health conditions, and even the violence that accompanies that.

What I am saying is that unless there is a qualified psychiatric specialist on this forum and participating in this thread, prejudicial comments and outrageous hypotheticals correlating to a very narrow, exceptional and extreme area of such cases, is nothing more than insults and an overarching paranoia amongst driver's unqualified to make evaluations about this man's medical history and status and the admissability and capability of him handling a truck.

 

Straw men? Really? That's all you have? Have a nice night. We are still entitled to our thoughts and opinions.

 

You're response was nothing more than exemplifying what would be categorized as an exceptional and extreme case of depression, one that would likely warrant at least heavy medication if not admittance to a psychiatric institute. The OP of this thread has indicated nothing to suggest that there individual case warrants anything more than minimal medication. None of us here have either the training and qualification, nor the access to his medical history to determine whether or not his individual case would warrant disqualification. It is as simple as that. The DOT regulations do not explicity state that depression is outright disqualifying. They state it can be disqualifying if under evaluation it is determined detrimental enough to their ability to control the vehicle safely and competently.

### hoc ergo propter hoc. (Unfortunately, the forum-censoring does not recognize Latin, understandable)

Your beliefs are a fallacy.

 

Just because you take an anti depressant doesnt mean its for depression. They are also used for anxiety.

Would you rather have someone who is anxious for no reason and hide it or someone who is medicated and completely normal driving the truck?

Sure, youd ideally want someone not on any drugs for anything, but just because a person may take a light dose of meds, doesnt mean they cant be a completely reliable, and safe worker.

 

Colo, I agree with you that it's nobody's business but the driver, doctor, and company. I do not agree with fictfictitious laws or truck stop lawyers. I strongly believe, and always have, that we are responsible to pass onto new driver what the requirements and laws are and where to find them. This subject has been knocked around from a long time. A lot of drivers say that you can not drive while on or taking this medication or that medication when that is not true. It's a touchy subject and one that you may find yourself defending your life in court if some circumstances don't go your way.

When it comes to medications it all starts when your take your DOT physical and tell the qualified doctor what and why you are taking such medications. If he or she approves, that satisfies the FMCSA. There's no requirement that I have found that you must tell your employer but if they ask you must reveal what and when. You can not lie. As far as them requiring you to tell them they are covered by the FMCSA that says they may add to the regulations but can not lessen them.

So what I would do if I were in such a position I would start at the doctors and make sure that doctor knows exactly what I do. I might even ask for a letter. I would then make sure the company knows just to cover my tail. If the company disagrees then I would go back to the doctor and find a substitute.

I do not think it's fair to judge hypothetical situations. Any one of us could drop over dead for any reason. I have not found where the FMCSA has listed alcoholism as a disqualifying condition. If it's there please show me. On the other side of the coin I do believe that drivers should be screened or watched for bad behavior. But by the right people, people that are qualified to notice items that are real. My company had them and they would try to help the driver if they could and if they could not he or she would be let go. That's my opinion.

 

It's all the way at the bottom of the page that I linked above.

 

I stand corrected. Thank you. See you can learn something everyday.

So since that statement IS listed in the FMCSR that reference to EEOC vs Old Dominion is bogus. The company followed the law correctly and if the courts follow the law as stated by themselves that case will be thrown out. That was a good lesson to read and know the regulations. I just wish that the students would grasp the concept and study before they jump.

 

Understandable, but I was on Prozac when I drove.
I would think that any company would rather their driver be on a medication that keeps them "emotionally stable" when dealing with all the other drivers and ######## of a long haul driver. I have known my share of drivers that SHOULD have been on an anti-anxiety/depression med and weren't, and THEY scare me more than the thought of someone on meds.

 

Holy necro batman!

 

I've been on an anti-anxiety drug since September for a light dose. There are a few that are OK and I had no issues getting my 2 year Medical Certificate. Make sure your doctor knows what you're wanting to do for a career and that he/she is willing to sign off that you can safely operate a motor vehicle while taking it.

A few Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's) are allowed by the FMCSA but it's still up to the Doctor doing the exam and your carrier/carrier's insurance. There's a shortage of drivers so if you don't act like a drama seeking person you'll probably be fine--esp. if your past/current employment history shows you are reliable.