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?

I couldn't get diazepam for me or the husband despite horrific back pain in the last couple of years.

I manage to put it out of my mind because I love travelling and exploring

Or they are concerned about people being able to function if something does actually happen 🙄

Apologies if this has already been suggested - have you considered hypnotherapy, or IEMT?

I had hypnotherapy over a decade ago for true arachnophobia. I couldn't look at photos of spiders, I thought about them ALL the time, I managed to terrify myself more than once over clumps of my own hair in case they were spiders etc. etc. After the hypnotherapy, I caught a Huntsman spider (it was in Sydney) in a tupperware container and released it, and held a member of the tarantula family.

Everything you mention sounds like a true phobia (or close enough), and you have done so well in the past to make yourself get on the plane in the first place.

Might be worth a go.

Have a look at EasyJet Fearless Flyer course… I did it in Jan 2025, and have flown 6 times since (after avoiding flying for 15years!).

I was so skeptical, but honestly, it has worked wonders for me..
The online course has a whole section on how planes work, and what all the noises are, and that really helped calm my anxious brain.

I also did the experience flight at the end of the course, and chatting to the pilot and hearing how passionate he was about aviation really helped too!

I have an emergency supply of diazepam following a back injury 18months ago, and while I packed them, I didn’t have to take them…. Even managed to stand up and go to the toilet on last flight a few weeks ago!

Some anti histamines make people very drowsy.

if they have this impact on you (doesn’t happen for everyone) then these are a good diazepam subs.

personally I use strong painkillers (disabled as well)

I know what you mean, but it is the being in control, and not out of control that may help?

You can get diazepam from online pharmacies for jet lag they give you 28, only need half of one per flight so will last for years.

That would be my prescription of choice! But I do sympathise with the poster… but if I was that nervous I just wouldn’t fly!

I used to be prescribed with diazepam.

I have beta blockers for anxiety and also use them for flying. They definitely take the edge of flying and stop things like racing heart and sweaty palms etc. they don’t stop things like irrational thoughts. If it is the physical symptoms of anxiety that bother you they might be a good option.

I don’t think it’s the lack of control. I really don’t know what it is, it just really gets me anxious. The entire experience is horrible for me

The easyJet fear of flying course (online) is excellent.
It’s a one off fee and you get lifetime access.

It’s more mental for me. I just can’t control my thoughts. I had a really awful landing in February and it’s shaken my confidence massively

Hypnotherapy could be really useful for you.

You don’t actually have to fly / go on planes if you don’t like flying / going on planes.

As I’ve said - I can usually deal with it, and the act of exploring a new place outweighs the anxiety. But this latest incident has really shaken me up, but I’m in the position where I’d stand to lose a lot of money if I don’t go.

I can also recommend the Easyjet fear of flying course! It is was actually really helpful and informative.

I am/was terrified of flying to the point where I stopped in 2006. I also love travelling - I've been all around the world. I just recently took my first flight after 20 years, after I read a book - 'The Easy Way to Enjoy Flying' by Allen Carr. I recommend it!

It use to be easy to get some diazepam for a flight but I think its a lot harder now depends on the dr. I just stick to alcohol now

I used to get diazepam and my doctors (London) would prescribe me a small amount until very recently. I’d taken it for years. But then there was new NHS guidance and now they won’t so, yes, you’ll need to go private. It’s fucking annoying tbh.

Good hint 😉

You have probably more chance of winning the lottery several weeks running than being sucked out of a window.

I take it when I fly and I'm completely coherent and functional, to the point I often do work while flying with no problem. That would not be the case were I to down a few drinks beforehand. You can take a small dose that just smoothes the anxiety down to manageable levels 🙄

If you are sedated with diazepam and there is an emergency your response would be slower. Not safe on a plane unfortunately.