Mike Lindsay wrote
That's an interesting viewpoint.

Um, that wasn't a viewpoint. It was a joke. I'm guessing US humor
(sic) doesn't play well in the UK.

In case there is any doubt here - I wasn't actually serious. I don't
think there's anything wrong with taking prescription psychiatric
drugs - sometimes they actually work, and 'toughing out' an imbalance
in brain chemistry is about as sensible as 'toughing out' an imbalance
in blood chemistry. Only difference is that we've got a better handle
on blood disorders than we do brain disorders, so the drugs work
better and more consistently.

I also don't care for flight instruction that includes shouting,
belittling the student, and certainly physical assault is never
acceptable. This is not a generational thing, either - it's pure
(bad) personality. The best instructors I ever flew with (including
the one who signed me off for my private glider ride) were well past
sixty, had military backgrounds - and never, ever raised their voices
in the cockpit. There is simply no reason to do it. As an instructor
myself, I strive to emulate them,

On the other hand, I also flew with an instructor who thought nothing
of raising his voice in the cockpit, belittling the student, and even
using his soaring hat to 'get the student's attention.' He didn't
drive me away from soaring, but I know at least one person that he DID
drive away from soaring. He taught me something important about
instructing as well - what NOT to do.

Michael