Fear of flying?

[t_daniels]

Question - has anyone on here dealt with a fear of flying? Apologies if this has come up.. I searched the forum, then skimmed the first 3 pages....

Last year was my first ever flying experience- was absolutely terrified. Not even kidding you. Little kids on that plane handled things better than I did... DH thought I'd get over after that trip, and having experienced it..... and if anything, I believe it made it worse.

So, aside from maybe taking advantage of the plane offering liquor, does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[alliesmommy]

One word......Xanax!

Seriously, though, I have a pretty severe fear of flying to the point of tears on takeoff. I cannot relax at all through the flight. Talked to my doctor and he prescribed Xanax. I pop one about 30 mins prior to boarding and I am much calmer. I only take it for flying. We went to Hawaii last September and I was able to endure a 7 hour flight just fine.

 

[t_daniels]

One word......Xanax!

Seriously, though, I have a pretty severe fear of flying to the point of tears on takeoff. I cannot relax at all through the flight. Talked to my doctor and he prescribed Xanax. I pop one about 30 mins prior to boarding and I am much calmer. I only take it for flying. We went to Hawaii last September and I was able to endure a 7 hour flight just fine.

Oh man. We flew Tulsa to STL, to MCO, and the same on returning. The ONLY flight I wasn't in tears on, was STL to Tulsa. Takeoff and landing get me. Then in Orlando, we had to circle because of weather. I was unhappy. Had my comfort hot chocolate and a screwdriver... but it didn't help much.

I thought about trying to get a prescription... but I'm worried that if I'm *too* relaxed/out of it, I may not be allowed to board the next connecting flight?

 

[minnie mum]

I've had a terrible fear of flying for many years. I know it's irrational. That's why it's called a phobia. Tried many things (breathing exercises, self hypnosis, liberal use of the beverage cart). Then my doctor prescribed Xanax. I only take it when I fly. I have to take one the night before the flight in order to get any sleep at all. Then one 1/2 hr before take off. I'm still a little nervous during take off and landing, but it's much more manageable.

The medication comes in different dosages. Your doctor will prescribe the one that is best suited for you (usually based on age and weight). It may make you slightly drowsy for up to 4 hours, but it certainly won't make you so woozy that you can't function. I've never had a problem handling connecting flights.(Although you shouldn't drive for a few hours after you've taken it).

Good luck

 

[pepe of ohio]

Been there, done that.....not worth the panic and anxiety and the pain....yes pain.....I've flown 3 times and upon arriving home in a few days my muscles are so stressed then the let down....hurt for a week....

Not my idea of a vacation...have used valium but prefer not to take drugs to fly.....we have been using Amtrak for the past 20+ years.....I can relax, enjoy the train trip and arrive in WDW calm and collected.....

 

[t_daniels]

Been there, done that.....not worth the panic and anxiety and the pain....yes pain.....I've flown 3 times and upon arriving home in a few days my muscles are so stressed then the let down....hurt for a week....

Not my idea of a vacation...have used valium but prefer not to take drugs to fly.....we have been using Amtrak for the past 20+ years.....I can relax, enjoy the train trip and arrive in WDW calm and collected.....

Yeah. I'm surprised I don't have more pain with flying... I have hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and the treatment is a shunt, or a drain, that drains the excess fluid off of the brain, and diverts it else where. Lots of people with this have problems flying, because of the pressure changes (we aren't supposed to do coasters for this same reason.... oops...) So I went into it last year stocked with ibuprofen, that I thankfully didn't need!!

For my job, I watch my Mom, (essentially hospiceish care) she's in a wheelchair, so taking a lot of time off isn't really possible. Bus or train, or even driving would be a LOT less panicky for me... but not really convenient.

 

[lyonking3]

Always book direct flights. Then the experince will be over when you get to your destination or home.

Flying is the safest form of transportation. Just remember that

 

[aubriee]

I hate flying but don't want to take medication. I fly to MCO several times a year. I still hate it though. I always pick an aisle seat as close to the front as I can get. Flying Air Tran, I find it worth it to pay for those $15.00 or $13.00 seats closer to the front. As a solo flyer I'm frequently asked to give that seat up for someone who wants to sit with their traveling party. I did so once and round up giving up my nice aisle seat close to the front, for a middle seat in the back of the plane. I swore I'd never give my seat up again and haven't. I had a really hard time in that middle seat, looking up that long narrow tunnel like aisle. I usually settle into my nice aisle seat, chew gum, put my earphones in, deep breathe, and read or else try to keep my eyes closed until we land. I usually try my best to go to sleep as soon as possible.

 

[Redarrow5150]

It's in God's control. Let it go and let him be the pilot.

Question - has anyone on here dealt with a fear of flying? Apologies if this has come up.. I searched the forum, then skimmed the first 3 pages....

Last year was my first ever flying experience- was absolutely terrified. Not even kidding you. Little kids on that plane handled things better than I did... DH thought I'd get over after that trip, and having experienced it..... and if anything, I believe it made it worse.

So, aside from maybe taking advantage of the plane offering liquor, does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[t_daniels]

It's in God's control. Let it go and let him be the pilot.

God, is probably elated I'm going back to Disney. My mom suggested praying last trip. Pretty sure I spent over half my air time in prayer. Between that and my husband cunning me into Space Mountain.... he heard from me plenty.

On a related note.. maybe psalms or something might be good to read? Worth a shot.



Aubriiee, I was a wreck, thinking i might get separated from DH.:/

 

[alaska8]

Heres a few tips I think may help.
Eleviate as much stress as possible for example, book direct flights, get to airport with enough time to spare so no fear you will miss your flight. Take the least amount of stuff with you so that you do not feel like are overloaded with stuff. Choose seats ahead of time...the closest to the nose of the plane is best as you feel the turbulence less. Tell your flight crew of your fear (as a flight attendant its nice to know we can check on you, talk you thru airplane "noises" etc. Ive had some great pilots whove invited passengers with flying phobias into the flight deck during boarding and have talked to them, I think it brings back some of the "control" to you and helps.)
Carry onboard things to keep you occupied, kindle, ipod with soothing music, knitting etc

 

[Dan Murphy]

Make sure to try and book nonstop flights. Remember, direct flights have stops, though you do stay on the same plane. Nonstop is just that, one flight to your destination.

 

[kaffinito]

I hate flying but don't want to take medication. I fly to MCO several times a year. I still hate it though. I always pick an aisle seat as close to the front as I can get. Flying Air Tran, I find it worth it to pay for those $15.00 or $13.00 seats closer to the front. As a solo flyer I'm frequently asked to give that seat up for someone who wants to sit with their traveling party. I did so once and round up giving up my nice aisle seat close to the front, for a middle seat in the back of the plane. I swore I'd never give my seat up again and haven't. I had a really hard time in that middle seat, looking up that long narrow tunnel like aisle. I usually settle into my nice aisle seat, chew gum, put my earphones in, deep breathe, and read or else try to keep my eyes closed until we land. I usually try my best to go to sleep as soon as possible.

What she said.

I also take medication though too. I didn't want to take medication either but finally caved and got a prescription for Ativan It's like Xanax, and works the same way. I'm not muddled or sleepy after taking it, but I'm not freaked out by flying either. I wrote a section about it in my TR.

Always book direct flights. Then the experince will be over when you get to your destination or home.

Flying is the safest form of transportation. Just remember that

Make sure to try and book nonstop flights. Remember, direct flights have stops, though you do stay on the same plane. Nonstop is just that, one flight to your destination.

Exactly. Non stop gets you there in one flight, no connections, and just one takeoff and one landing. It really helped!

 

[t_daniels]

never thought of telling an attendant! TY

Heres a few tips I think may help.
Eleviate as much stress as possible for example, book direct flights, get to airport with enough time to spare so no fear you will miss your flight. Take the least amount of stuff with you so that you do not feel like are overloaded with stuff. Choose seats ahead of time...the closest to the nose of the plane is best as you feel the turbulence less. Tell your flight crew of your fear (as a flight attendant its nice to know we can check on you, talk you thru airplane "noises" etc. Ive had some great pilots whove invited passengers with flying phobias into the flight deck during boarding and have talked to them, I think it brings back some of the "control" to you and helps.)
Carry onboard things to keep you occupied, kindle, ipod with soothing music, knitting etc

And thanks to everyone... wish direct flights was an option... I don't think it is for some reason. I'll talk with DH.. I know we're already booked, but I'm curious why its not..

 

[Missytara]

I have gotten "used" to flying over the years, but never completely over the fear. I also have claustrophobia, which doubles it for me.

I have learned to get direct flights whenever possible and I actually feel more at ease sitting next to the window, rather than the aisle seat over the years.

 

[MEK]

I have an anxiety disorder and have several irrational fears. But I went through cognitive behavioral therapy and did "Evoke and Response Prevention". I literally put myself in situations where I was exposed to things that caused me great anxiety. It was a lot of work, but one of the things I started to fear was flying.

So - as weird as this sounds - tell yourself for several weeks before the flight....


"I am going to fly on (insert date). That might be the day I am going to die. So bring it on. I am willing to take the risk".

Ok - to you naysayers who think this will make your anxiety worse - so NOT true. What's causing your anxiety is your obsessive thinking about the event. (I am afraid to fly. I am afraid to fly). That just makes your brain that much more fearful because you are trying to avoid the fear. Give you brain permission to be afraid. Everything in life is a risk. Once you give your brain permission to be afraid, instead of running from the fear, your brain will back down.

If you can learn this technique and practice it regularily, you CAN permamently overcome the fear of flying. But you have got to practice it. It's work. Its harder than popping a pill or drinking your fear away.

Oh yeah - and it doesn't hurt to have an little emergency Xanax, just incase!

And when you get on the flight and you start to get scared remember to say "Bring It!"

 

[Dan Murphy]

....... wish direct flights was an option... I don't think it is for some reason. I'll talk with DH.. I know we're already booked, but I'm curious why its not..

Remember the difference between direct and non stop. Direct gives you more actual flights (landings and takeoffs), nonstop gives you one of each, one takeoff, one landing.

 

[YankeePrincess]

I have an anxiety disorder and have several irrational fears. But I went through cognitive behavioral therapy and did "Evoke and Response Prevention". I literally put myself in situations where I was exposed to things that caused me great anxiety. It was a lot of work, but one of the things I started to fear was flying.

So - as weird as this sounds - tell yourself for several weeks before the flight....


"I am going to fly on (insert date). That might be the day I am going to die. So bring it on. I am willing to take the risk".

Ok - to you naysayers who think this will make your anxiety worse - so NOT true. What's causing your anxiety is your obsessive thinking about the event. (I am afraid to fly. I am afraid to fly). That just makes your brain that much more fearful because you are trying to avoid the fear. Give you brain permission to be afraid. Everything in life is a risk. Once you give your brain permission to be afraid, instead of running from the fear, your brain will back down.

If you can learn this technique and practice it regularily, you CAN permamently overcome the fear of flying. But you have got to practice it. It's work. Its harder than popping a pill or drinking your fear away.

Oh yeah - and it doesn't hurt to have an little emergency Xanax, just incase!

And when you get on the flight and you start to get scared remember to say "Bring It!"

I totally agree with you on this and those without anxiety are the ones that would disagree. When you just say to yourself oh well its going to happen so just let it, it helps so much with anxiety. There are times when I feel like I can't breath and I just say oh well then I will suffocate and die. Whatever. I feel better. Sounds dumb but it works. I

have been so afraid of flying but I agree with others XANAX! The miracle drug! I take it and I actually enjoy flying. The last time I flew I finally looked out the window and looked out at the clouds and though wow this is so beautiful and so peaceful. That really helped. If you can do that try it!

Just know that no amount of worrying is going to change anything that you are destined for. Easier said that done but it is true. I am working on my anxiety and the best thing to do is to just let the anxiety happen, let that fear happen and you will come out so much stronger.

 

[MEK]

Just know that no amount of worrying is going to change anything that you are destined for. Easier said that done but it is true. I am working on my anxiety and the best thing to do is to just let the anxiety happen, let that fear happen and you will come out so much stronger.

Well said.

 

[maxiesmom]

I totally agree with you on this and those without anxiety are the ones that would disagree. When you just say to yourself oh well its going to happen so just let it, it helps so much with anxiety. There are times when I feel like I can't breath and I just say oh well then I will suffocate and die. Whatever. I feel better. Sounds dumb but it works.

I do something similiar, but with a religious bent to it. I say to myself "If this is my day to die, God is going to take me no matter where I am." And it really helps.