Fear of Flying - Help!

[Wonders10]

Hi everyone,

I have a fear of flying. I'd rather take any other means of transportation than a plane. The smells bug me, the sounds freak me out. I just hate it. Unfortunately I will be going on a plane in a few weeks. It is only a 3 1/2 hour flight from Florida to New York, but I am still very nervous. I've always just distracted myself but the fear is still there, especially if we have turbulence or something. I don't know if I'd classify it as a true phobia but I definitely have issues

So what are your suggestions for getting me over my fear or just getting me more calm on the flights. It has gotten to the point, that I am very picky about where I will travel to if it means I will have to fly. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Luv'sTink]

I know your fear! I did subscribe to an email list for fearful fliers. If there is ever a mishap with a plane around the world he sends out an email explaining what went wrong or what he think may have happened until the investigation is over.

One thing that was recommended for turbulence was to leave a glass of water on your tray as the plane hits turbulence watch the water so you can see just how much the water is moving, usually it is barely moving even though I think the turbulence is bad..LOL If I put that same glass in the cup holder of my car it would spill all over just driving down the street.

I also find sitting in the front of the plane is helpful for me..I dont seem to feel as much. Just beware there is a whine in the front during take off. Recently I was sitting next to a lady and she said "What is that noise?" and I, fearful me, got to tell her you hear it in the front.


Good luck!
http://www.fearofflying.com/ there is quite a bit of information on their web site.

 

[Micca]

See your doctor and ask for something to keep you calm. I know many people don't care to take meds, but if a flight is ruining your day I would think it's something to consider. If they work, you might even broaden your travel experiences.

And if it makes you feel any better, there are a unpleasant things about air travel that nobody likes that are totally unrelated to fear.


Good luck

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I would highly recommend visiting the helpful forum at www.takingflight.us/forums and ask any and all questions you may have.

Also get the book "This is your Captain Speaking" by Ray Stark (a Southwest pilot and former Air Force pilot) and read it cover to cover. Ray has some GREAT info there and has a way of putting people at ease just through his writings. The book is available on Amazon.

Flying is statistically MUCH safer than any other form of transportation.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

My wife has 2 drinks before we board and then squeezes the blood out of my hand for the first 15 minutes of the flight. Who knew she was that strong? Once we are up for a few minutes, she relaxes a bit.

She has flown all over the world, so even experience has not managed to ease her fear.

 

[Wonders10]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far. I will definitely take a look at those websites when I get home from work.

The parts I hate the most of takeoff and landing so I'm not allowed to use my usual distractors like my ipod or a DVD player, etc.

I mentioned in my trip report (see siggie below) - that I don't actually have a primary doctor at the moment. Still sort of new to the area, and have just gone to a walk-in when I was sick, which seems to be a very popular thing to do. So I'm hesitant to go there and ask for meds to relax me - I feel like a druggie or something haha. Are there any over the counter meds that relax? I just started taking melatonin instead of tylenol pm when I can't sleep at night and I love it! My flight is in the afternoon so I wouldn't mind drinking but then I have to drive from the airport to the hotel and also will be traveling with an recovering alcoholic so we really don't like to drink around her.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far. I will definitely take a look at those websites when I get home from work.

The parts I hate the most of takeoff and landing so I'm not allowed to use my usual distractors like my ipod or a DVD player, etc.

I mentioned in my trip report (see siggie below) - that I don't actually have a primary doctor at the moment. Still sort of new to the area, and have just gone to a walk-in when I was sick, which seems to be a very popular thing to do. So I'm hesitant to go there and ask for meds to relax me - I feel like a druggie or something haha. Are there any over the counter meds that relax? I just started taking melatonin instead of tylenol pm when I can't sleep at night and I love it! My flight is in the afternoon so I wouldn't mind drinking but then I have to drive from the airport to the hotel and also will be traveling with an recovering alcoholic so we really don't like to drink around her.

Find a PCP and ask for some Xanax. All you need are a couple - 1 for each plane ride and 1 to take several days before just so that you can be aware of how your body reacts to the medication.. Actually you can break them in half and take half of one at a time and that may be enough (especially if you have to drive after the flight). I doubt a walk-in clinic will prescribe that type of drug but it wouldn't hurt to ask. If you are only asking for a couple then they may write you a prescription.

I don't know of anything over the counter that would relax you or take away the anxiety like prescription meds.

Be sure to NEVER EVER EVER mix meds with any form of alcohol.

 

[rabbitthecat]

Hi!

I second the recommendation to see your doctor for an anti-anxiety med - I've had good luck with Ativan (lorazepam); it works well but only lasts a few hours, so you're not 'hung over' for the rest of the day.

Not that this will necessarily help for your upcoming trip, but I've found I am *much* less nervous using an airline like JetBlue that has personal tvs at each seat. They are on and available even during takeoff and landing, so as long as you bring a pair of standard headphones, you can plug in and distract yourself to your heart's content. I can't even tell you the difference it's made for me to have this distraction, such that I may only fly on airlines that offer this service. It may sound crazy to others, but I 100% sympathize with you and the need to distract yourself from what's happening.

Good luck! You're definitely not alone in what you're feeling.

 

[Rora]

How do you respond to Benadryl? It puts me and almost everyone else I know to sleep!! Maybe this would work for you?

I would look at those websites or maybe even enlist the help of a Behaviorist to help you get over this fear once and for all.

The anxiety medication would be my last resort but I know that fears can become so consuming that it might just be easier to take a pill and get it over with.

Good luck!

 

[Wonders10]

Hi!

I second the recommendation to see your doctor for an anti-anxiety med - I've had good luck with Ativan (lorazepam); it works well but only lasts a few hours, so you're not 'hung over' for the rest of the day.

Not that this will necessarily help for your upcoming trip, but I've found I am *much* less nervous using an airline like JetBlue that has personal tvs at each seat. They are on and available even during takeoff and landing, so as long as you bring a pair of standard headphones, you can plug in and distract yourself to your heart's content. I can't even tell you the difference it's made for me to have this distraction, such that I may only fly on airlines that offer this service. It may sound crazy to others, but I 100% sympathize with you and the need to distract yourself from what's happening.

Good luck! You're definitely not alone in what you're feeling.

Yes, I love flying with the TV's but mine have never worked during take off. We were hoping to fly JetBlue, but then they raised the price of the ticket way more than we wanted to spend compared to AirTran, which is what we went with. I probably would have paid the extra cost if I really thought about it, but I have 3 other people that probably aren't as sympathetic

I'm not against pills, but I do typically have a pretty strong reaction to medicines in that most make me sleepy! Which is fine for the 2-3 hours on the plane, not so great when we land and I am part of the "navigational" team getting us our rental car, to the hotel, etc. On my last flying trip, to Ireland, of all places, I brought a small pluto plush (the size of my palm) and I frantically rubbed his ears during the not so fun parts - takeoff and landing. It sort of worked a little. I also read that coloring relaxes you, so I plan on having a coloring book with me. I'll look like a 5 year old but I don't really care!

How do you respond to Benadryl? It puts me and almost everyone else I know to sleep!! Maybe this would work for you?

I would look at those websites or maybe even enlist the help of a Behaviorist to help you get over this fear once and for all.

The anxiety medication would be my last resort but I know that fears can become so consuming that it might just be easier to take a pill and get it over with.

Good luck!

Benadryl makes me sleepy I think - but again as I posted above, I don't want to be comatose the rest of the day.

I'll have to start googling relaxation and fear of flying. I haven't had a chance to check out the websites already posted here but I will!

Thanks everyone!