Fear of Flying

[Princess_Pris85]

So the older I get, the more scared I become about flying. I'm not really scared once the plane is in flight, more so when the plane is about to take off. I spend the couple weeks before a flight constantly panicking about the whole take off to only realize how silly it was once we get to "cruising altitude."

I have a flight next weekend and I'm starting to go into panic-mode. How do all you DISers that fly to Disney get over your fears? Or are you not scared at all? What do you guys think I can do?

 

[SassyCat]

Hi, I understand how you feel. We just got back from Disney yesterday, and we flew this trip. This was my first flight in 9 years (I was 15 the last time). Even though I did not used to have a fear of flying, I developed one for this flight. I had spent the last month feeling sick to my stomach a lot of the time. I tried to do research about plane crashes, the statistics of them, and what to do if one did happen. None of that really helped. When we were about to fly down thurs morning, I was in absolute panic mode and thought I was going to throw up. Once I was sitting in my seat waiting for the plane to finish boarding, all of the anxiety I had been feeling suddenly left. I'm not really sure what happened, but I'm glad it did. I was pretty calm at that time - perhaps knowing whatever was going to happen was about to happen and I couldn't change it. Anyway, the flight went very smoothly, and I actually enjoyed it. I had no anxiety for the trip about the return flight, and I was perfectly calm and looking forward to it on Sunday. Even though our flight back home had a lot more turbulence, I was fine.

The only thing I guess I can say for it was seeing that the first flight went fine made me think there is no reason to think the next one won't. I mean, I get in a car everyday without a huge fear or crashing hanging over my head even though it is much more likely to happen than an airplane crash. Anyway, I don't know if this helps you any, but I just wanted to let you know you aren't alone. I know how horrible the feeling of dread can be when you know you can are going to be sick to your stomach nervous about something. I guess my advice would be to research it if you are the kind of person who feels knowledge like that can help show you that your fear is irrational. Try to be calm at the airport and once you are seated on the flight. And just remember thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people are in the air everyday (taking off and landing) without a problem. Also, I tried to think about the takeoff and the landing as a ride at Disney! Good luck on your flight!!

 

[Stitch2007]

I feel the same way. I don't like the take off, but once at cruising allitude I'm fine and have no problems the rest of the flight.

 

[Princess_Pris85]

mmmm....maybe i'll think of it as a disney ride!


Thanks!

 

[MattM]

Call your doctor and tell them you have a flight coming up and you have some anxiety. Usually they will just phone in a prescription to your pharmacist...only enough for a flight out and back. I hate flying but the pills help me.

 

[Princess_Pris85]

I actually have some anxiety medication - which would you recommend?

 

[Ed J]

+ 1 cocktail.

I'm not scared of flying, but do enjoy it more with the above combination .

 

[Just Beachy]

I, too, am a nervous flier. I just flew 2 wks ago and was having a panic attack over it. I was going alone and it was my first time on a smaller plane... double prop, 35 passenger. I obsessed over the flight for about 2 wks. I'm also clausterphobic, which wasn't helping the situation. I got a motion-sickness patch (like you wear on a cruise) from my Dr. I have to say, it definitely helped. Also, I aim the air-conditioner vent directly on me at full blast. Something about the cold air on my face helps. As for the anxiety, you could medicate yourself, or try to close your eyes and picture yourself somewhere you feel comfortable. My ipod helped as well. I watched a movie on it and tried to "forget" where I was. I hope maybe some of this will help you. Remember, air travel is the safest way to travel. You never hear about the flights that get to their destinations safely every minute of every day, only the ones that don't. You will be fine! If you're going to Disney, just think about all the fun you're going to have while you're there!

 

[huskies90]

This is common for people who don't fly often. I get that way with roller coasters too but once you go on them a few times, you are fine. So, I like the idea of thinking about it as a disney ride!!

But since you are "OK" once you get on the plane, it doesn't sound like you have a serioius phobia. I know people who cannot even step foot in airport without a serious reaction. As you probably already know, you are far far far safer traveling by plane than by car. Airline crashes are more pronounced in the news because the media feeds on people's fear of flying and that just causes the public fear to grow. We all know the statistics. There were over 43,000 auto deaths in the US last year alone. That is approximately 120 people EVERY DAY that die in their cars. And there were 0 commercial airline deaths last year. And I believe something like 0 in the last 3 years. You wouldn't see the news do a full hour on a family of 4 dying in a horrific car crash, but what would happen if an airliner went down and those same 4 died?

So, if you have a fear of "flying" that is one thing, but if you have a fear of "dying" just look at the statistics and don't buy into the media. Is your fear real? YES but it is no different than fearing a car crash or for that matter getting struck by lightning...

 

[kreed]

I just wanted to pass on a statistic that may help ease your mind. An average of 115 people die every day in car crashes. This would be the equivalent of about 1 plane crash a day and we know that does not happen. So, statistically you are actually safer in the hands of a pilot on a plane, than at the hands of all the drivers on the highways.
Just hope this gives you a little comfort in your decision to fly instead of drive. I too have a small fear of flying but prefer the speediness of it to long drives.
Kathleen

Sorry, Apparently Huskies90 and I were replying at the same time.

 

[inkkognito]

My doc gave me Xanax for fear of flying and it works great.
It even got me across the Atlantic in a happy mood.

 

[Princess_Pris85]

Hey everyone! thanks for responding to my post. I appreciate you all giving me your perspectives - even though I tell myself these things, it always seems to work better when someone else tells me.

 

[5boyz]

My dh has a fear of flying....I didnt really realize how much though!!!! So for the first 2 yrs we flew to Disney he was absolutely terrified, he almost did not get on the plane the first time..... (he laughs now). So last year when he was at the doctor for a check up his blood pressure was abit high. He told the dr he was nervous about flying the next day. Well the dr. said so was he and prescribed a traq for him. He asked about it and the dr told him that it would not knock him out but......put it this way, if there was a terriorist on the plane he would be the first one up to challenge him.....So he took them and was good. He is not nervous about our flight in 2.5 wks.

 

[MEK]

At first you are going to think I am crazy for telling you this, but when most people have a fear of something they keep trying to rationalize it and reassure themselves. The more you tell you brain not to worry, the more your brain will worry. That's why you keep thinking about it.

Instead, tell yourself, "I am willing to take the risk". There is inherent risk in anything we do, including flying. If you repeat to yourself, "Tommorrow I am going to get on a plane and I might die", your brain will actually start to become desensitized to the fear. Your brain is giving you a warning. Tell your brain, "Thanks for the warning. I am willing to take the risk". The more you repeat this, the less anxious you will become.

Again - I know this sounds weird, but using this technique has helped alot of people overcome irrational fears. It is counterintuitive to what you think you should do. But it works.

To find out more about this you can goggle Steve Phillipson, he is a guru in the treatment of anxiety disorders, phobias, and OCD. Fear of flying is just a phobia that alot of people have.

 

[SassyCat]

Instead, tell yourself, "I am willing to take the risk". There is inherent risk in anything we do, including flying. If you repeat to yourself, "Tommorrow I am going to get on a plane and I might die", your brain will actually start to become desensitized to the fear. Your brain is giving you a warning. Tell your brain, "Thanks for the warning. I am willing to take the risk". The more you repeat this, the less anxious you will become.

.

I think this is really good advice. It is kind of what I did - I accepted what was going to happen was going to happen, and I couldn't change it. I kind of had relief wash over me after that.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Definately do not recommend taking drugs or alcohol to calm your fears. I don't have a fear of flying (nor really any fears per se), but I used to be very afraid of heights, and I just forced myself to deal with it. I know people don't think it works, but facing your fear head on, rationalizing your fear, etc really does work if you committed to making it work.

 

[Missytara]

I found that as I get older, I am getting more and more claustrophobic. I try to sit on an aisle seat and it works great for me.

I also don't like the taking off and landing, but you do deal with it. It is safer than driving in a car to work every day.

We are about two hours gate to gate from MCO, so it is an easy trip. A few years ago, I went overseas and the thought of flying over the ocean overnight really bothered me. Once I saw how many children were on the flight, and weren't having any anxiety, I was really calm....

 

[thruthelookinglass19]

I hate to fly as well. Vodka works as does Valium. I had to get an MRI a few months before our last trip to Disney and my doctor prescribed Valium. . . and there was enough in there to last until our trip

 

[thruthelookinglass19]

PS - want to make sure everyone realizes I didn't chase my Valium with vodka!!! LOL!!!

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

Xanax is a beautiful thing. I was scared of flying on my last trip to Disney but I took some xanax and I felt better. I also try to occupy myself with my Ipod. Also, when there was turbulence I would close my eyes and pretend I was just in a car on a bumpy road.