www.denverpost.com/business/ci_6098754 -
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Published on: 6/10/2007
Last Visited: 6/10/2007
Al Kent loved his job as a pilot for Air Wisconsin, but bouts of insomnia had left him feeling more and more lethargic in the cockpit.
He sought help for the underlying depression - and opened himself to a more devastating turn of events.Under Federal Aviation Administration rules, he was grounded, and his flying career came to an end.
"When I lost the ability to fly, I thought my life was over," said Kent."I couldn't see anything else.That's what you live for, day in and day out."
He wrote a book about the experience, "Ascent from Darkness."Yet even while baring his soul about the anguish, he was hesitant to reveal his identity.Al Kent is not his real name.It is a pseudonym he uses when writing about or discussing the subject.
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Advocates of loosening the restriction on antidepressants say the current policy discourages pilots like Kent and United Airlines pilots, from right, John Barton, Dave Smith and Greg Coln talk about friend and colleague Mark Zenner after a memorial service Monday at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch.
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Kent eventually was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is on medication.Although he has not had symptoms for nearly 13 years, he no longer flies.
Even pilots who retire "feel a tremendous sense of loss," Kent said."Their dream and their love is gone.
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Kent believes the FAA also is worried about liability issues.Though he has not had symptoms for years, he said, "Let's say I have a depressive episode or some major manic episode ... and that comes back on them.
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"You've got a lot of pilots out there who need help, but they're afraid to do it," Kent said.