2007-08-09 08:42:53 · 6 answers · asked by luvmykids 5 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Maybe and no. What your doctor probably failed to tell you is: first Xanax only works for about 4 hours so take it about 30 minutes before you bored the aircraft or bring an extra one on board to take again, second Xanax is used to help panic attacks not anxiety disorders, which is what happens to people who fear flying. They DO NOT have panic attacks. The only way to stop fear of flying is through behavior modification not quick drugs that work for something else besides anxiety. When you take this drug all that is going to happen to you is you are going to feel very sleepy and run down which will help you fall asleep if it is a long flight which in turn will cause you not to think about flying, yet when it wears off you are going to fell very very restless and might even have a headache. So do not take this if you are flying to a job interview. Third Xanax is highly addictive. If you have an addictive personality DO NOT take it. Fourth only take 1mg or less. It is a very potent drug that does not require a large dosage. Finally, and most importantly, make sure you do not put alcohol in your system when you take this.
How do I know so much about Xanax? I am in my second year of grad school for psychology. I have studied Xanax extensively. In particular we have talked about the increasing popularity of fearful flyers taking this drug. I myself love to fly, but I do get very nervous. I actually tried taking Xanax on a flight. It made me feel very light headed and tired (sort of like laughing gas except not near as strong), yet I still was very nervous about flying and contrary to what a doctor will tell you it did not relax me. Luckily it knocked me out and I fell asleep, but that is it.
If you fear flying you fear one or more of 6 things: 1. Fear of dying, crashing, 2. Not being in control. Meaning that some people can not ride passenger in a car because they have to be the driver. They want control, 3. Claustrophobia, 4. Terrorist activity 5. Agoraphobia (fear of being in a situation that will cause you to lose control mentally and physically in public), or 6. Fear of heights (Vertigo)
Must people would say that the biggest problem with fliers is crashing or heights. WRONG. It is agoraphobia. If you ask a nervous passenger, “Would you be as nervous if you were practically alone on the flight and there were not that many passengers?” or “What if you were on a private jet all to yourself?” Most people would say no. They would have no problem being on a private jet. In fact research shows that the biggest problem with fearful passengers is that they have to occupy a small area with perfect strangers because it is an unfamiliar situation.
Whatever the reason may be there is help and a way to fix the problem. If you are going to be traveling a lot then you need to try and correct the problem. If this is a one time thing then just try breathing deeply from your stomach before you bored to help relax you and just take the pill and hopefully you will fall asleep.
Hope this helps
2007-08-10 05:16:03 · answer #1 · answered by cjh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Xanax is made to treat anxiety disorders, so I'd trust your doctor - it should help.
2007-08-09 08:51:14 · answer #2 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, xanax rocks. Don't take to many, unless you don't have anything to do the next couple of days.
2007-08-09 08:50:45 · answer #3 · answered by WJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will deffinatly help you control your feelings, but it did make my aunt drowsy for a few hours afterwards, luckily ours was a long flight so she wasnt tired anymore after we got off, but if your flight is less then 2 hours you might be slightly tired with a headache when you get off. hope this helps =]]
2007-08-09 08:51:00 · answer #4 · answered by liveitup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely the placebo effect will have more effect than the medicine. If you THINK it will work, it will. If you have no confidence, then it will do very little. But it should help you.
2007-08-09 08:47:29 · answer #5 · answered by ananvilhurtz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will still probably be scared, but you won't be nervous - just breath evenly - you'll be fine
2007-08-09 09:02:32 · answer #6 · answered by John W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will definitely help take the edge off!
2007-08-09 08:45:53 · answer #7 · answered by dcanon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope, it made my experience very horrible.
2007-08-09 08:52:48 · answer #8 · answered by sport_bike_rider79 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋