Fear of Flying

[DisneyBrideToni]

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

That is good stuff!!!

 

[Pleakleyfan]

This will be my first plane ride in my life and I am 48. I have been able to avoid it up to now. The only reason I am flying is because this was the ONLY way to get DH to go back to Disney. We drove from PA last time and though I enjoyed the trip, DH did…. not so much.

I at first thought this was just a fear of flying. Lets face it feathers fall out of the sky, how can a few tons of metal stay up there in AIR?????

So I researched how planes fly and all the mechanics of flight. I found a site that not only explained everything, but how it sounds and what to expect.

This did no good; the sweats still come when I think about it.

I know the safety statistics , the best place to sit, what to wear and still I am tapping my foot constantly and getting knots in my stomach.

I have been told to ask the DR. for a little help with the anxiety or to self medicate or , but what if the plane did crash, I would not want my reaction time or judgment to be even remotely clouded. The thought of this made me even more nervous and I got nauseous

So I started listening to Coast to Coast at night so I can concentrate on aliens taking over the world and not lay there sleepless and worrying about the up coming flight. (less anxiety there ) But I found myself still obsessing on the flying fear, only now wondering if Grays (a type of alien) ever have this problem and wishing the Stargate actually did exist.

I have figured out that it is not a fear of flying, but that of not being in control and making unscheduled stops in the plane.

So I busy myself with planning and trip reports and knowing that if we do crash, I have the biggest "I TOLD YOU SO" coming. I have instructions to my kids to put that on my headstone if it would happen.

I am trying to stay positive but if anyone is heading through Orlando airport on August 19th about 10:30 AM and you see a woman on the ground kissing it, that will be me. Quickly followed by a HUGE adult beverage.

So does anyone know if there is a bar at the airport?

edited to change my threw/through's

 

[PoohsFan1]

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.

That is exactly what I do whenever we go. The funny thing is, we only fly when we are going to Disney, therefore, whenever I call up my doctor, she always responds....going to Disney again? Jokingly of course .

In December, it will be my 3rd time flying and I have found that the only anxiety that I get is at take off, but once I am at cruising altitude I feel much better. I do get some anxiety whenever there is turbulence but once that happens, I immediately check out the faces on the stewardess and the other passengers, and if they are still calm and going about their business, then I know I am still O.K. My favorite part, however, is the landing...for some reason, when we are doing the decent, I know that I am only about 30 minutes or so away from being at MCO....and on the ground

 

[Sandysbuddy]

Try looking at www.fearofflyinghelp.com. It is a free online course written by an American Airlines pilot and discusses all of the common fears, maintenance procedures, training, safety procedures, etc. It also goes through the different phases of a flight and explains what sensations and sounds are normal. It has made me feel a lot better.

Hope it helps!

 

[famsen]

I have purchased our tickets for September. I am really afraid to fly. This is my first flight since I was twelve years.
My fear of flying is definitely a control issue and I was also hard wired to be afraid of flying because my dad was terrified of it and seeing him afraid of something scared me.
I like the idea of getting myself afraid of something else by listening to Coast to Coast AM. I remember listening to that show a few years ago at 2:00am while driving in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota. I got myself really worked up and certain that the world was about to come to an end from a rogue Planet X hitting Earth. It makes, getting on an airplane seem like not such a big deal.
Well I already talked to my doctor about my flying fear and she told me the exact number of xanax I should take before the flight.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

I also have a fear of flying and have all kinds of crazy rituals and routines to get myself on the flight and stay somewhat sane thru out the flight. I do find i do better with my kids on board as i focus on staying in control hoping they do not pick up on my fear. This Oct. will be only our second time flying as a family, but i did fly 3 times last year as that was my only option of doing what i wanted to do.........

The worst for me was when i flew from Calgary to Montreal and then Montreal to Boston....they walked us out onto the tarmac in Montreal to board this little plane with 35 seats...it was instant panic for me and then when they started the plane and all i could smell was burning rubber it was hysteria.....the flight attendant and pilot did calm me down enough to make it thru the short flight but did i wish i had some anti anxiety medicine then

I find my rituals, routines etc seem to work well enough to get me thru it and hoping this next flight is even easier as my kids will be with me.........at least i have made progress as i never flew for over 10 years as the fear was even worse...

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

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.

I have to disagree. Everyone is different and for some people the only way they are going to face the situation is with a little help. Anxiety can be crippling so don't be afraid to ask your Doctor for something like xanax to calm your nerves if you need it.

BY ALL MEANS NEVER MIX ALCOHOL AND MEDICATIONS!

If you want to work on your Fear of Flying then I would encourage you to visit www.takingflight.us/forums . They are a very friendly and helpful group of people made up of pilots, medical personnel, business travelers and just every day people who have been dealing with their fear of flying for years.

Good luck with your flights!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I have to disagree. Everyone is different and for some people the only way they are going to face the situation is with a little help. Anxiety can be crippling so don't be afraid to ask your Doctor for something like xanax to calm your nerves if you need it.

You have the right to disagree, just as much as I have a right to disagree with you. I have NEVER taken a medication to calm a fear or anxiety. Tough love in some ways is the best medicine, tough love to yourself and from others.

We live in a society that finds the solution to so many problems comes in a pill or bottle. From diet pills to anxiety medication. In my opinion, its a sad state of life.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

You have the right to disagree, just as much as I have a right to disagree with you. I have NEVER taken a medication to calm a fear or anxiety. Tough love in some ways is the best medicine, tough love to yourself and from others.

We live in a society that finds the solution to so many problems comes in a pill or bottle. From diet pills to anxiety medication. In my opinion, its a sad state of life.

I agree that too often people reach first for a bottle (whether it be for medication or alcohol) rather than work through whatever problems they have BUT after years of suffering from PTSD due to a traumatic event on an airplane I can assure you that I would never have been able to get on another plane without something to help control my anxiety. Anyone that paints a broad spectrum that you "just need to get over it" has obviously never suffered from a true anxiety disorder. It is crippling and using medication as a PART of your treatment is nothing to be embarrassed about.

I urge anyone struggling with a fear of flying to visit the websites already mentioned on this forum: www.fearofflyinghelp.com and www.takingflight.us/forums - both offer FREE help to anyone who wants to overcome their fear of flying. There is also an amazing book called "This is your captain speaking" by Ray Stark. The book explains in detail what to expect when you fly and answers many common questions people have about flying. Capt Stark is a pilot with Southwest Airlines.

For tips on ways to deal with anxiety (about flying or anything else) visit www.anxieties.com -they have some great tips to help you feel more at ease during situations that make you anxious.

For myself, I stayed grounded for 12 years of my adult life because of my PTSD. I was determined to get back in the air and researched everything I could find about flying - how planes fly, why turbulence happens, safety records, etc... With all of the research I did I still needed "a little help" to get on the plane without having a full out panic attack. Half a xanax calmed my nerves enough to get on that first flight back in the air and THAT proved to me that I could fly again. The next several years I averaged over 100,000 miles a year in the air and maintained elite status on Delta Airlines. Without the help of that xanax I would never have gotten on that first plane. It only took a few times with xanax for me to realize that I really didn't need it anymore. Used correctly, medications like xanax can enable someone to get over that final obstacle towards dealing with their anxiety.

Good luck, OP and everyone else that is dealing with a fear of flying. YOU CAN FLY.

 

[LISAG410]

Hi there.

What I do to calm my nerves during take off, is to look through the Sky mall magazine. They have some of the wackiest items and it gives me something to laugh about.

Seriously though, I have a book or magazine out and I start reading right away. I used to fly by myself and this worked for me.

Or just focus on the fact that you are heading to Disney!! That should help ease your fears.

Good luck!! You will be ok.

Lisa

 

[lucyem]

Drugs can be great. Your brain on drugs is still processing your whole experience. It makes future trips easier because your brain remembers last time. I take a very heavy duty drug that still allows me to function, sorry I can never remember the name. I am allowed to take from 1-6 pills prior to take off as needed and found that I take less with each trip on a plane.

 

[50 years Too!]

That is exactly what I do whenever we go. The funny thing is, we only fly when we are going to Disney, therefore, whenever I call up my doctor, she always responds....going to Disney again? Jokingly of course .

In December, it will be my 3rd time flying and I have found that the only anxiety that I get is at take off, but once I am at cruising altitude I feel much better. I do get some anxiety whenever there is turbulence but once that happens, I immediately check out the faces on the stewardess and the other passengers, and if they are still calm and going about their business, then I know I am still O.K. My favorite part, however, is the landing...for some reason, when we are doing the decent, I know that I am only about 30 minutes or so away from being at MCO....and on the ground

You might as well have been me writing this. All the above (except for only flying 3 times) is exactly how I feel and what I do.
My friend thinks I'm crazy as landing is her scariest part.

Deb