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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Fear of flying
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Fear of flying
by janey, Feb 20, 2001 12:00AM
I've suffered from fear of flying for many years, sometimes severely so. Now, after a fear of flying course + relaxation exercises etc, it's much more controllable. However, I'm facing a long-haul flight and wonder what medication you advise to cope with anxiety over a period of 12 hrs or so (I like to be able to drink a glass or two of wine during the flight).
Because of the severity of the anxiety I feel, I have found in the past that I have needed to take a lot of medication for it to have any effect. Valium is partly helpful, although I find doesn't eliminate the anxiety - simply distances it somewhat. I also find alcohol effective, but again have to drink large quantities to get rid of the panic/anxiety (although I am not normally a heavy drinker at all!)
Are there any new forms of medication or what would you suggest?
Because of the severity of the anxiety I feel, I have found in the past that I have needed to take a lot of medication for it to have any effect. Valium is partly helpful, although I find doesn't eliminate the anxiety - simply distances it somewhat. I also find alcohol effective, but again have to drink large quantities to get rid of the panic/anxiety (although I am not normally a heavy drinker at all!)
Are there any new forms of medication or what would you suggest?
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Feb 22, 2001 12:00AM
, Feb 22, 2001 12:00AM
The simplest thing that you can do for fear of flying is to
use one of the benzodiazapines(BNZ) that are a bit newer and have a more
specific antipanic effect. You could try either klonapin or xanax. klonapin
is a bit longer acting but more sedating; you might get by on one or two
doses of one to two mgs. xanax is shorter acting , requiring two or three
doses, probably of one or two mgs each. since everyone reacts differently to
meds you should get a small test prescription from your md and try them out in
a stress provoking situation first.
