Anyone else with a plane phobia?

[Boo Boo Too]

To be honest I don't know what it is that scares me so much... I just hate them. I'm scared of them when they're in the sky above me in case the crash into me. I'm scared of the plane being faulty and blowing up, I'm scared of bombs and terrorists a LOT, basically I'm scared of them crashing and me dying... I'm not claustrophobic and not really scared of heights (although I'm not keen on lifts either, go figure!) I just hate planes. My mum was nervous when I was younger so I think I've picked up on that, because it's mainly been since I was 13 that I've been nervous around them!

How about cars, are you afraid in or around them? Do you drive? Are you a lot better driving yourself than being a passenger?

I would imagine it is a "control" issue (rather than height/confined spaces) - you are worried because you feel that you have no control over what may happen to you.

You need to trust (easier said than done, I know!) the pilots, the people that build/test/maintain planes, the security personnel (that screen passengers, luggage, cargo) etc.

EVERYTHING in life has it's risks - in everything we do (either consciously or sub-consciously) we trade-off the risks we make for the rewards we get. Nothing is 100% safe/certain (you could be THE SAFEST driver in the world, doesn't mean that one day you wont be unlucky and fall foul of someone elses stupidity...). If we didn't take any risks, then we would never leave our houses (and even then you could have an accident in your home of something).

There are some things I refuse to do: I wont bungee jump, parachute and I refused to do a proper army assualt course last December (run along a plank 12 feet in the air and then go hand over hand down a rope with no safety harnesses... no thank you - the risk of injury is just not worth the reward of doing it).

Each person needs to decide what is an acceptable level of risk for them. If it is too bad for you, then maybe Florida (or anywhere that involves flying) isn't for you. Sounds like you may be unluckly in that there may be a lot of family pressure (or "encouragement") to go...

The psychologist definitely sounds worth a go (longer term). Good luck in the mean time . Hope that you manage to have a really fantastic holiday in between the flights (and try not to think of the return flight whilst you are there...)

Boo

 

[magicmouse2]

I was never afraid of flying until the recent terrorist threats. I plan to have a few glasses of wine, but I am not breastfeeding and I have DH and DS to help with DDs too if needed. Try and take an engrossing novel to take your mind off it. Also think forward - how brilliant a time you will have in WDW.

 

[flortlebap]

I'll definitely be thinking ahead to the fun trip! But what do I think about on the way home? All the washing I have to do when I get back? I'd be tempted to jump out of the plane in that case!!

Boo - phobias aren't rational. I'm not scared of driving, but I much prefer driving myself to being driven!!

There is a lot of encouragement for me to go, because it's a once in a lifetime trip with all the family going. And I know I'll enjoy it when (if) I get there, I'd regret it so much if I stayed behind because of a stupid fear. So for me it is worth it.

But I wouldn't fly anywhere else!

 

[angelbaby29871]

i don't know if this would be any good for you as your still breastfeeding but have you thought of asking your GP for diazapam insted of valium. i know a few people that valium just doesn't work for but the diazapam does. i take it when i go on the flight and it helps along with self hypnosis and calming music. hope all goes well for you and have a great time.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Boo - phobias aren't rational. I'm not scared of driving, but I much prefer driving myself to being driven!!

No, they are not rational (otherwise you could slap yourself out of it ), but they are there for a reason... that's what psychologists do, they look for the reasons behind your phobias and try to get you to address those reasons.

You do everything you do for a reason, even if you don't always consciously know what that reason is. The only person who has 100% power over what you do and how you react is you... Just sometimes you need help realising that belieiving in it

There isn't a magic solution to phobias, it is a matter of sorting your attitudes out. Since phobias are so severe, you need professional help to do that (i.e. hypnotherapists - which you have already tried - and psychologists).

Boo

 

[flortlebap]

i don't know if this would be any good for you as your still breastfeeding but have you thought of asking your GP for diazapam insted of valium. i know a few people that valium just doesn't work for but the diazapam does. i take it when i go on the flight and it helps along with self hypnosis and calming music. hope all goes well for you and have a great time.

Hi angelbaby, I'm not sure what your friends mean because Diazepam and valium are the same thing!

 

[angelbaby29871]

her words not mine, i've only ever had it as diazepam. maybe he changed her dosage. i know mine is quite high to get me through the flight. i just look forward to getting off at the other end whatever way we are going. but prefer the going to the coming back .

 

[flortlebap]

her words not mine, i've only ever had it as diazepam. maybe he changed her dosage. i know mine is quite high to get me through the flight. i just look forward to getting off at the other end whatever way we are going. but prefer the going to the coming back .

I know. I almost get a sense of euphoria at being alive when I get off the plane!

My doc would only prescribe me a middle dose for diazepam this time I had double that last time!

 

[magicmouse2]

Have you tried fluoxetine - prozac ? I think there are some antidepressants that relieve phobias that are considered safe whilst breastfeeding. Otherwise can you express enough for 24-48 hrs and take a sedative ? I know some friends who have taken something called Amitriptalyn which is considered an antidepressant but knocks you out to sleep when you take one. Talk to your GP and see what is suggested and is safe for you and the baby.
Just think how few air accidents occur compared to road traffic incidents thats what I do.

 

[T16GEM]

Magicmouse2 - I think of how manay accidents there are and for a moment it helps but then I start thinking again of what could happen!

Flortlebap - I think I get a lot of it from my Mom too, she is scared of heights - I am not, I mean I can climb up a 7 storey scaffold at work and stand on a roof with no problem but flying is a different story, my mom siad to me on Saturday night when I asked if they wanted to come with us on a trip in Nov 07 that she was worried about the terrorist threats and the children etc, I can see what she means and now that she has said this I feel it too, how do you get over that..... your parents are the biggest influence that you are going to have in your life but it doesn't mean that they are always right i guess.

I do think to myself that we would have to be extremely unlucky to have anything happen to us but like Boo said it's an irrational fear that only you can overcome.

I am not sure that being sedated is the answe - should a situation arise I would rather have my wits about me if there was a chance I could escape rather than being sedated and probably just letting it all go over me like a zombie! JMO

 

[wifey]

I used to feel scared of flying more like petrified until our first trip together to Orlando. I admit when I was younger I used to have nightmares about plane accidents etc but taking our holiday was REALLY important to us!! In fact it was our honeymoon (delayed) so I took a book and mints and tried to relax. It wasn't easy at the time we were in the cheap seats on a monarch plane with a large man sat in the aisle seat, so getting in and out was difficult. My stomach was queasy the whole way but once we touched down i felt so elated What a relief everything was fine and since then I have had no more fears when flying and now feel very confident when travelling.
I do wonder if I picked up some anxiety about travel from my Mum (I'm fine in a car or bus or train) she has had a very real fear of train travel since she was a small girl and gets very unsettled near them and will not get on a train although i kind of understand why she gets that way about them.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

your parents are the biggest influence that you are going to have in your life but it doesn't mean that they are always right i guess.

Yes, that is true. Parents are not always right and do not always say or do the right things... (that is one of the disturbing realisations you have as you get older...

Parents are human, just like us and have weaknesses and make mistakes just like us. However, they always have an INCREDIBLY strong influence on what we say and what we do - so a reminder that we have to be extra careful how we act around our children (because they are always picking up things - good and bad, consciously and sub-consciously - from us)

I am not sure that being sedated is the answe - should a situation arise I would rather have my wits about me if there was a chance I could escape rather than being sedated and probably just letting it all go over me like a zombie! JMO

That is an INCREDIBLY good point... things do happen on planes (although VERY, VERY RARELY!) and if they do, you REALLY want your wits about you (to give yourself and your loved ones the best chance of survival). If you are sedated (even a minor amount), then you are unlikely to be able to help yourself let alone your loved ones (infact, you being partially incompacitated may put your loved ones at risk as they try to help you...). If you are quite heavily sedated then you put yourself at considerable risk and could put your loved ones at considerable risk too (how do you hope to get out of an airplane and down an emergency shoot in case of an aborted take-off or emergency landing?). Not something that you want to think about, but I would rather be shaken and alive, than all sedated and left in the fuselage...

If you are sedated or heavily, then you loose the ability to take responsibility for yourself - doesn't sound good at all

Boo

 

[cstraub]

I'm not a heavy drinker either, barely touched it since getting pregnant with my daughter (stopped as soon as I found out I was PG), then I was BF so didn't really want to drink then either!

To be honest I don't know what it is that scares me so much... I just hate them. I'm scared of them when they're in the sky above me in case the crash into me. I'm scared of the plane being faulty and blowing up, I'm scared of bombs and terrorists a LOT, basically I'm scared of them crashing and me dying... I'm not claustrophobic and not really scared of heights (although I'm not keen on lifts either, go figure!) I just hate planes. My mum was nervous when I was younger so I think I've picked up on that, because it's mainly been since I was 13 that I've been nervous around them!

I'm scared to death of flying but I do it all the time. Just home from Europe and a 10 hour flight from Germany. My 3 young kids know I am terrified of flying. Not one of them even bats an eye when getting on a plane. You would think they were getting on a city bus with how calm they are. They know I'm scared and I don't hide it at all. I think there is a good message you send to you child when you show them you can overcome your fears and not let them control you.
A second thought- neither of my parents are scared to fly but yet I am. No one around me was ever scared to fly or ever mentioned it to me. I take full responsiblity for my fear. I think it just comes from within you.
I believe in being honest with your kids and expressing your true feelings, even fear, not hiding them.

 

[flortlebap]

I think that post about sedatives was a little scare mongering.

For one thing, last time I had it my wits were perfectly about. It doesn't knock you out, it takes the edge off your fear. And in a plane crash I don't think not taking valium is going to save you is it?

It's the only thing that will get me on the plane, it's a bit insensitive to have a discussion about how you're more likely to die if you take it when it's the only way I'm going to get on holiday.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I think that post about sedatives was a little scare mongering.

For one thing, last time I had it my wits were perfectly about. It doesn't knock you out, it takes the edge off your fear. And in a plane crash I don't think not taking valium is going to save you is it?

It's the only thing that will get me on the plane, it's a bit insensitive to have a discussion about how you're more likely to die if you take it when it's the only way I'm going to get on holiday.

No, I think it was an incredibly valid point... http://www.drugs.com/valium.html

Notably:

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Valium (diazepam) will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

and

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Valium (diazepam) and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
· sores in the mouth or throat;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes;
· a rash;
· hallucinations or severe confusion; or
· changes in your vision.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Valium (diazepam) and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness;
· depression;
· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
· difficulty urinating;
· vivid dreams;
· headache;
· dry mouth;
· decreased sex drive; or
· changes in behavior.

and (if mixing with other meds)

Valium (diazepam) may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

and, particularly if you intend to mix with any alcohol:

Avoid alcohol while taking Valium (diazepam). Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by Valium (diazepam). Alcohol may also increase the risk of having a seizure if Valium (diazepam) is being taken for a seizure condition.

If people take powerful medication (for example valium) then they need to be aware of the risks involved. Valium does not just "take the edge of your fear" - it can have some very real physical effects as well (which you may or may not be aware of). Those include drowsiness, clumsiness and dizziness and could include confusion and other symptoms.

Like any medication, there are risks involved in taking it and people need to be aware of those before taking them. It's a case of weighing up the risk/benefit.

Basically popping serious pills will do nothing to decrease your risk of an accident in an airplane, but they may well increase your risk of being hurt in the (INCREDIBLY) unlikely event that there is one. That isn't scare-mongering.

Boo

 

[T16GEM]

I certainly wasn't scare mongering, I apologise if you felt that way, I was just saying like Boo has shown with the quotes that drugs of any kind including alcohol can inhibit your ability to deal with a situation should it arise. And in my own personal opinion I would rather not be inhibited by anything when I am scared already. I suffer from dizziness and confusion at the best of times so I don't think I would add to it! I know how you feel about flying - I hate it too!