Meds for teen petrified of flying

[Morag72]

Hi - my DS15 is petrified of flying following a bad turbulence experience last year. We are due to go to a family wedding but it’s a 8 hour flight. He does want to go but just very anxious (understandably) about the flight. Is there anything I could get over the counter or via prescription to tackle the anxiety or to just help him sleep through ?

When is it? Wouldn't it be better to find some techniques to help his anxiety?

You could try hypnosis, it really is great for phobias and anxiety

I have a similar phobia. Im planning on doing a 'fear of flying' course once I can afford it but otherwise strategies include.

kalms tablets (placebo effect probably)
A stiff drink in a bar before takeoff.
Headphone and puzzle book.
Accepting my inevitable fiery death and making peace with it.

Otherwise, for a long haul flight I would go to the doctor for a sedative. He can sleep right through.

Sorry but this did make me laugh, a stuff drink in a bar for a 15 year old 🤣

GPs used to be good but now they all seem to have notes on their websites about not prescribing for flights. Luckily I have some tablets from a couple of years back.
You could probably buy some anti histamines though.

I once sent an airport bar staff into a bit of a tizzy because they couldn't find the port glasses. They had rules about how it was served but no one had ordered port for years!

Unfortunately you can't buy sleeping pills here. We bought some ferocious one over the counter in Spain a few years ago. If you know anyone going to the continent might be worth asking if they can get you some. Obviously be careful due to his age.

I would try the hypnosis too. Unfortunately I have studied psychology and I always wondered if learning about how hypnosis worked would inoculate me against the effects. Must try though.

Op the only thing that cured (temporarily) my fear of flying was doing a tonne of flights back to back. I did 11 hours to atlanta then a short internal flight. I was so knackered by the second flight (too scared to sleep) that my body simply couldn't maintain the fear anymore. I had similar going to Japan with a stop in china.

You can't medicate a 15yo for a flight, nor give them a stiff drink. Drs are very reluctant to give Valium now, never mind for a child. If he was medicated and there was an emergency egresss situation he wouldn't be able to get off.

If he was medicated and there was an emergency egresss situation he wouldn't be able to get off

Well said. And let’s not forget the cabin crew and or other passengers whose lives would be at risk trying to get any sedated patient off an aircraft in an emergency.

Op - Id listen to him and not make him go if there’s someone at home he could stay with then once this trip is over you could get him on one of fear of flying courses.

Antihistamines- drowsy ones

CBT beforehand. Learn tools and techniques for the long term, instead of a quick fix! (I'm also scared of flying, regulating my thoughts helps)

Can you get hold of some propranalol, you'd only need one probably