To ask how possible it is to get a prescription for a fear of flying?

[doyouhavefaithingodabove]

I have always been a nervous flier and nervous traveller in general. It makes me very stressed and I tend to not relax until I’ve landed.

I usually fly BA since they’ve introduced WiFi because I can then connect to it and text my dad, who is the only one who’s able to explain things in a way that calms me down. He doesn’t mind it.

This summer I’m flying with Ryanair and the recent news about the window shattering has genuinely made me so anxious I feel sick. I don’t fly for another eight weeks but I can already feel panic building whenever I think of it.

I know this is commonplace in America but does this type of thing ever happen in the UK? Would I need to see a private GP?

What do you want prescribing exactly?

I don’t know, just something to calm me down. I genuinely think I’ll struggle to get on the plane, especially as I’ve got window seats booked!

Per this surgery - they don't do it any more. It's a national policy. You need to see a private GP for a private prescription

https://www.orchardsurgery.nhs.uk/2025/05/22/diazepam-prescribing-for-fear-of-flying-or-medical-procedures/

If you’re that anxious about flying that you need to sedate yourself, why are you flying so much?!

Usually I can cope in my own way, listening to music, deep breathing etc., but this has just intensified it all so much. I usually look at it that the flight is worth it to get to the destination and experience the world but this time I just can’t!

I have an irrational fear of spiders. Despite all the logic, I still can't stand them. The way I approach it is to look at that logic, there are no harmful spiders in the UK etc.

In your case, it initially appears unnatural to be in an aircraft. The reality is that it is probably the safest form of travel. Statistically, if you took a plane to work every day for a 45 minute commute each way, you would crash once every thirty three thousand years, and even then, the odds are that you would survive.

It is safer than driving a car, walking next to a road, riding a bus or a train.

Maybe hypnotherapy would help? Or breathing exercises before take off?

I know all the statistics but it’s like something grips me! Like I’ve said usually I can handle it but this incident has just absolutely terrified me.

They won’t prescribe you anything for a fear of flying.

Years ago I used to get diazepam, but they won’t now as they say you need to be fully with it in case of an emergency.

However, I injured my back a day before a long haul flight recently and they prescribed diazepam for the pain to get through that, so, you might be able to find a way through.

Wear an eye mask and headphones - take yourself away from the situation. Gp won’t prescribe sedation for flights. I practice relaxation and tell myself if the worst happens, it happens and I can’t control it. I’m the most nervous flyer ever but I make myself do it ❤️, the Ryanair thing is a very very rare thing. X

Might be worth doing, it’s probably cheaper than the nearly £1000 and 17 hours of travel it would take on the train!

Yes this - there’s a way around it if you really feel you need diazepam

I don’t know if diazepam is what I need, I just genuinely cannot see a world where I get on that plane now. I know a lot of people will say that it’s eight weeks away so I’ll relax before then, but I know the nature of my anxiety means I’ll fixate on it.

Travel sickness tablets called phenergan contain a non addictive medication often used in psychiatry to help with anxiety. They are also over the counter medication so you don’t need a prescription. My dc uses them every time they fly.

A strange idea, but have you thought about taking a flying lesson?

I’d be trying to address the underlying cause of the fear. If you get medication this time then you’ll always “need” it. There are fear of flying courses you can take. CBT etc. Most fears are irrational - that doesn’t mean they don’t feel real at the time. Also Ryanair is a really unpleasant experience but they’ve actually never had a passenger fatality in all their years of operation. (Same as BA)

I can’t think of anything worse! There’s a few places I’d love to travel to but are off the cards because of the fact they’re in those small planes with propellers, I couldn’t get in anything smaller

Go onto one of the private perscribing sites and get it from there.

As I really fearful flyer myself, if I can’t get hold of Diazepam, I’ll take a Phenergen (or other anti-histamine), and have a couple of glasses of wine at the airport … I get on the plane, earplugs in, eyemask on, asleep before the doors are closed.

My friend flew with his boss a long haul flight. Boss took some pills he had sourced from South America and fell asleep straight away. Unfortunately they had to evacuate before flight even got into the air. My friend had to help his drowsy boss out.

My dad has some Phenergran… I just really struggle with the idea of getting on the plane now. It terrifies me.

They have massively clamped down on it.
I had to beg and plead to get a tiny prescription and that was for a phobia of blood tests.

A couple of double brandies will do the same in my experience. It just ditches your brain off and you'll feel a bit groggy. I hate flying. Ive had the medication for years but last year just used alcohol.

I guess they have to stop anything that might actually help people 🙄

Your GP is more likely to prescribe betablockers which do take the edge off the panic. I use them when I fly. I have also found meditation and tapping incredibly helpful. I used to cry on take off, and throughout most of the flight for many, many years but I can fly pretty happily now. It took a lot of work but it is worth it.

Why do you fly if you hate it so much. I don't and it doesn't bother me. I don't understand why you put yourself through it. You can't enjoy yourself when you are there as you will be worrying about coming back.

Diazepam use has been linked in some studies to dementia.