Please be aware that we as a practice will not prescribe benzodiazepines (e.g. Diazepam) for fear of flying for the following reasons:

• These type of medications can sedate and/or affect decision-making – this can put yourself and other passengers at risk during a critical incident
• With their possible sedative effects, they can increase the likelihood of developing a DVT (blood clot)
• The sedating effects can also reduce your breathing rate – in an aeroplane cabin at altitude your oxygen levels in the blood are naturally lower – decreasing this further with medication could cause issues.
• This medication can also cause some people to act aggressively without warning – again putting you and other passengers at risks
• Add benzodiazepine use to alcohol consumption which is common in nervous fliers, increases the likelihood of all the adverse results mentioned above
• Our British Formulary for prescribing medications specifically advises against prescribing benzodiazepines for phobias.
• In some countries it is illegal to import this type of medication – having it on person when you land could result in legal proceedings
• Even in small doses and short courses – this medication can be hugely addictive
• There is a possible risk of early dementia in benzodiazepine users – this is currently being studied to further explore this.
• There are plenty of good quality fear of flying courses available in the UK which are easily accessible by those who wish to fly and conquer their fear of flying, e.g.:

https://fearlessflyer.easyjet.com/

http://www.flyingwithoutfear.com/

http://flyingwithconfidence.com/

This link also has some useful information in tackling travel anxiety:

How To Deal With Travel Anxiety During The Holidays, According To Science (bustle.com)