advice for a fearful flyer

[Spoonful_Of_Sugar]

Me and DH , DD-8 and DS-6 will be going to WDW in Aug.
It will be the frist time flying with my kids.
I am a bad flyer, terrified of heights, and have had panic attacks on planes.
I do not want my kids to see me so afraid to fly.
What do you do to help with your fear of flying?

 

[Bob P]

Hi and to the DIS!

If you do a search you will find many threads on this topic. Here is one:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2289513&highlight=fear+of+flying

 

[SDSorority]

Me and DH , DD-8 and DS-6 will be going to WDW in Aug.
It will be the frist time flying with my kids.
I am a bad flyer, terrified of heights, and have had panic attacks on planes.
I do not want my kids to see me so afraid to fly.
What do you do to help with your fear of flying?

HELLO!!!! I too am a panic attack-er!!! I listen to THIS before my flight and during my flight... it has worked like a charm.

 

[Cruz91]

...by the 17 hour drive for our first Disney trip!

In all seriousness - she went to the doctor and got some happy pills to take the edge off (Xanax, I think). It has worked for her on our last 7 trips. Just remember to take them on the way to the airport so they'll kick in by the time you need 'em and wear off by the time you get to Orlando!

 

[MEK]

I am a big advocate of cognitive behavioral therapy for unrealistic fears. I have been treated for OCD and I have learned CBT works well. I use the "bring it on" technique. In other words when I am intensely affraid of something I tell myself...."This may be my day to die, so bring it on....Or....I am going to get on this plane today and die". Now perhaps that sounds sadistic, but hopefully it should sound a bit comical. Seriously - giving your brain permission to be afraid of something or making a joke about it ..... repeatedly......is a very effective technique for dealing with anxiety.

When you have unrealistic fears and you dwell on them over and over again you are actually feeding the anxiety. But if you just give yourself permission to live out your worst fear, the fear will gradually diminish. I promise you that if you do this repeatedly....IT WILL WORK.

I also think a little Xanax can't hurt!!!!! I always carry backup Xanax and I rarely have to use it!

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Instead of going to the doctors and spending a ton of money, have a few beers before boarding to take off the edge..

 

[rina900]

Instead of going to the doctors and spending a ton of money, have a few beers before boarding to take off the edge..

that's what i was going to say

 

[summerlady]

3 words: Xanax and Jack Daniels. Well, actually 4 words if you count "and". Seriously, I used to be terrified of flying, my kids used to make fun of me, but I've learned to pretty much enjoy it with the aid of a .5 mg. Xanax. And, because we're celebrating a vacation, I also have a cocktail on the plane. I know, I know...no mixing alcohol and drugs, so maybe it wouldn't work for everyone, but it does the trick for me. By the time the plane lands, it's worn off and I'm ready for fun.

 

[winterman]

My preferance would be Mr. Bacardi!!!

 

[thruthelookinglass19]

Everytime I read a post with this question, my answer is the same "Valium" and/or "Vodka". The valium actually works so good that I've thought about not taking it next time (Thursday!) to see if I'm "cured". (I really doubt I'll be that brave though!!)

Seriously though, another thing that helped me TREMENDOUSLY was to sit in an aisle seat. Part of my problem was claustrophobia. . . and I feel less crowded sitting on an aisle seat.

Oh, and boarding the plane last!!!

 

[summerlady]

My preferance would be Mr. Bacardi!!!

That'll work! If it's a morning flight, I get a bloody mary or orange juice and vodka, afternoon it's jack and coke.

 

[rina900]

I usually do 1 or 2 Bloody Marys or Wines, sit in an aisle seat as close to the front as possible, and have my iPod, laptop or plenty of magazines to distract and entertain me.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

If you are anywhere near Washington, DC, visit the Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian. They have an extensive hands-on exhibit of the elements of flight (lift, thrust, drag and gravity) and aerodynamics. It's a great way to learn the physics of flight and relieve some anxieties.

I've never understood how a fear of heights plays into anxieties over flying. Frankly, you're never that high above the cabin floor.

Some people I know with mild anxieties bring ipods, books, and other distractive devices. Others take medication. To each his or her own. You are wise to want to resolve this before your kids are affected.

 

[Cruz91]

...is it may either leave you still impared and/or with a headache by the time you land. Xanax seems to have a pretty finite and predictable timeline with (for my wife at least), no side effects.

 

[pktbMouse]

Hi..I really do understand what your going through...I have the same problem. I was on a bad flight many years ago that had to emergency land and it scared me to death. I didn't fly for many years after the ordeal but started again the past few years. I'm still scared and like you try to hide it form my kids. A therapist once told me that when the plane is taking off concentrate on counting backwards from 100. Imagine the numbers in your mind and try not to forget any, that way your mind is thinking about something other than the flight and it calms you down. It works good too if you go through any turbulence..close your eyes...shut out all around and start to count backwards. This does work for me somewhat..also another person mentioned..get an isle seat and DO NOT look out of the window. This helps also. Hubby sometimes laughs at me..when we fly to the UK we nearly always have turbulence, sometimes it gets rough and he says I go from counting quietly to counting very loudly at the bumpy bits!!! Anyway..this is what works for me...oh and dont forget to breath....deep breaths..

 

[SilverMickey]

My SIL uses valerian root. Even if she is just going to the airport she needs it. It gets her on a plane and to her destination!