Fear of flying

[Kristine316]

I flew quite a bit when I was younger and even though I would get a little nervous I wouldn't call it an outright fear.

The weird thing is that has changed.. big time. My husband works in the Aviation industry ironically and that is when my fear of flying really started kicking in. He would talk to me at length about certain things I won't bore you with and that started my fear of flying. Truth is though it is an irrational fear because nothing he told me should have started a phobia about flying.. I honestly don't know why it triggered it. I do not fly at all at this point. When we travel we drive. We don't live close to Florida so it can be quite the drive when its time to head to WDW but, I have never minded the long car trips.. I have always found them a real adventure.

At some point I want to travel around the world and then obviously I will have to fly again... I don't think I will allow my fear to stop me from seeing the things I have always longed to see but, I am sure it will be a challenge none the less.

Don't feel alone... I know many people who have a fear of flying.. it is pretty common I think.

Forum members are giving you good ideas to try. I wish I had some to add but, since I haven't flown in years I can't contribute anything in that regard.

You will be ok. I have much respect for anyone who tackles their fears head on. Whatever you need to get you through the flight you should do it. You are getting on the plane even though it causes you great anxiety, you are facing it.. you should feel very good about yourself once you land in Florida.

 

[Kristine316]

I flew quite a bit when I was younger and even though I would get a little nervous I wouldn't call it an outright fear.

The weird thing is that has changed.. big time. My husband works in the Aviation industry ironically and that is when my fear of flying really started kicking in. He would talk to me at length about certain things I won't bore you with and that started my fear of flying. Truth is though it is an irrational fear because nothing he told me should have started a phobia about flying.. I honestly don't know why it triggered it. I do not fly at all at this point. When we travel we drive. We don't live close to Florida so it can be quite the drive when its time to head to WDW but, I have never minded the long car trips.. I have always found them a real adventure.

At some point I want to travel around the world and then obviously I will have to fly again... I don't think I will allow my fear to stop me from seeing the things I have always longed to see but, I am sure it will be a challenge none the less.

Don't feel alone... I know many people who have a fear of flying.. it is pretty common I think.

Forum members are giving you good ideas to try. I wish I had some to add but, since I haven't flown in years I can't contribute anything in that regard.

You will be ok. I have much respect for anyone who tackles their fears head on. You should feel very good about yourself once you get off that plane in Florida.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Hello! Is anyone else afraid if flying? I hate it!! I think it's a lack of control issue for me. I usually spend my flights saying a continual prayer (to myself of course). We leave for Disney on 10/9 and return home 10/16. Both times we have layovers. I'm trying Xanax for the first time and I'm hoping it works. Anyone else out there afraid of flying? What have you tried to alleviate anxiety? Has anyone found success using Xanax?

PS I hope this is the right spot for this thread - I wasn't sure where to post it.

I get a little motion sick, so I take dramamine. Makes me super tired and relaxed and I usually end up sleeping off/on for over half the flight to where.I'm not really thinkih about it!

 

[theburkes]

It's so nice to see that I'm not alone. We're flying to Disney tomorrow and I'm actually up very early this morning because I woke up in a panic thinking about flying. I used to love to fly but 9/11 messed with me and now it panics me. For the most part, when we get up in the sky, I tend to calm down but if we hit a slight bump, my heart pounds.

I know all of us will have safe travels and like a previous poster said, I always try to envision God with the plane

 

[lucyem]

I hate to fly commercially and have not for many years. My DH has his pilots license and I will fly in a little 4 seater with him no problem. The whole commercial thing gets to me. Its all about who has the lowest fares and thus the least amount of money to put into repairs.... etc etc. I'd pay more for a flight with better security, better seats and better overall care of their planes.

 

[Mk0323]

I have severe anxiety when it comes to turbulence. Last time I flew I decided to do research on it....including videos. I came across several videos that passengers took on their phones during severe turbulence. Some were pretty scary and I was sweating just watching. But I continued to watch....over and over again. I started to get used to it and kept telling myself that everyone survived and I would too.
I couldn't believe how much calmer I was on my next trip!

 

[DisneyFan2013]

Hello! Is anyone else afraid if flying? I hate it!! I think it's a lack of control issue for me. I usually spend my flights saying a continual prayer (to myself of course). We leave for Disney on 10/9 and return home 10/16. Both times we have layovers. I'm trying Xanax for the first time and I'm hoping it works. Anyone else out there afraid of flying? What have you tried to alleviate anxiety? Has anyone found success using Xanax?

PS I hope this is the right spot for this thread - I wasn't sure where to post it.

I'm not afraid of flying but I have taken Xanax for other anxiety issues. Since Xanax can make you drowsy and not completely aware of your surroundings, it'd be better if you had another adult with you to make sure everything goes ok. I'd start off with .5 to 1mg- that should put you to sleep on the flight. I took 2mg for a medical procedure that I was terrified about and it didn't completely relax me but maybe it'll work for you. Good luck!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Take the train!

Wonderful, scenic, nice and comfortable ride!

AKK

 

[cobright]

Take the train!

Wonderful, scenic, nice and comfortable ride!

AKK

Yup, takes as long as a bus and costs more than a plane ticket.

Anyhoo...

I don't generally stress about flying but have some other anxiety issues. I would say, you should probably take a practice run at xanax if you haven't had it before. I would have reccomended sometging a little punchier like ativan or klonopin.

If you have another adult with you and not much to get done that day, try a half dose of the benzo and a glass of wine. That's my walking around the parks cocktail right there.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

Yup, takes as long as a bus and costs more than a plane ticket.

Anyhoo...

I don't generally stress about flying but have some other anxiety issues. I would say, you should probably take a practice run at xanax if you haven't had it before. I would have reccomended sometging a little punchier like ativan or klonopin.

If you have another adult with you and not much to get done that day, try a half dose of the benzo and a glass of wine. That's my walking around the parks cocktail right there.

Alcohol can intensify the effects of Xanax so it really isn't recommended that you drink when taking them. I don't think you're supposed to eat grapefruit on it either. Be sure to read the prescription booklet, OP.

 

[cbate717]

I wouldn't say I am afraid to fly, I just get so bored and just want to be there. Granted its only a 2.5-3 hour flight from Rhode Island, but I just get so anxious to be there. I have taken Xanex and it does seem to help calm me a bit. We also usually bring a laptop and watch a movie as a distraction.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Yup, takes as long as a bus and costs more than a plane ticket.
Anyhoo...

I don't generally stress about flying but have some other anxiety issues. I would say, you should probably take a practice run at xanax if you haven't had it before. I would have reccomended sometging a little punchier like ativan or klonopin.

If you have another adult with you and not much to get done that day, try a half dose of the benzo and a glass of wine. That's my walking around the parks cocktail right there.

NOPE, it about the same as the bus and it costs about the same as flying. If someone is that afraid of flying the train is a excellent alternative. You can get up and move around, have something to eat, watch the countryside go by, very relaxing.

Frankly the drugs isn't my idea of a good choice. Not to mention almost every one knows mixing drugs and alcohol is not a good idea. But to each thier own.

AKK

 

[glocon]

Although it takes a day off either end of our trip, we just drive. I have only ever taken a one hour flight (total of 4 flights) and just got progressively more scared with each one, even with meds. I think there might be a little claustrophobia mixed in there, but I have never been claustrophobic elsewhere.

If it ruins your trip to fly, I wouldn't do it. So much of the joy of Disney is the anticipation leading up to the trip.

The only other thing I would add is- if you face your fears you might teach your kids a good lesson. Or you might not if you freak out.

Have a great trip however you choose to get there!

 

[souris]

It is nice to hear that I am not alone when it comes to fear of flying! I love, love, love to travel but I have started to get severe anxiety right before boarding and in the plane. I have read up on how planes work and what turbulence is.. However, my biggest fear is to have another panic attack on the plane. It takes over my body and I lose control. It's scary and embarrassing. Now I take medication.. Ativan.. As others have said, make sure you try it out before. With it I am ultra mellow.. My heart rate does not go up, and more importantly the fear of losing it up in the sky is gone! I am proud of everyone that faces their fears and chose to go on a plane!

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Transportation board.

 

[mrsaumock]

OP here. thanks for all of the feedback!! To answer a few questions - I do have an adult (dh) going w me. I also have my 6 yo dd - and I really don't want her to see me freak out. I'd hate to cause her anxiety (she has flown once when she was 4 and didn't notice mommy praying silently to herself). I'm hoping dh will focus on dd so I can focus on staying calm.

We did look at taking the train but the course it takes was a bit much. We would have traveled all the way to DC (from KC MO) and then south to FL. It's really out of the way.

I did check out SOAR. It looks helpful - in fact, I tried one of their focusing techniques last night and it put me to sleep. (The theory is you can't be anxious if you're focusing on something). The technique is called 5,4,3,2,1. If I can figure out how to post the link I will. They also have a free app for iPhone. I downloaded that as well.

Overall I'm still very anxious but feeling there may be some hope. I'm going up keep reading soar and plan to try the Xanax this weekend. I will also try to check out the other website that was mentioned as well as the turbulence videos (sounds like that poster was able to successfully desensitize him/herself) which is encouraging. I did read that pilots don't understand our fear of turbulence because it is only a shift of about an inch - it just feels like more. Cargo planes don't even both to fly out of turbulence bc it's not a big deal. I can't explain it as well, but reading that made me feel better.

One if the recommendations was to ask to meet the pilot. Has anyone done this?? I think I'd be way too embarrassed.

Thanks again for all of the insight. It's so nice to know I'm not alone!!

 

[cobright]

Alcohol can intensify the effects of Xanax

Which is why you do it. Trust me on this, I have done the research.

This takes practice but it's actually pretty smart. Say a full dose of your benzo affects you for 4 -8 hours; let's just pick 6 hours for conversation sake.

A half dose of your benzo does not affect you as strongly and is eliminated to the point it doesn't affect you in about 2-3 hours.

A shot of liquor affects you for about 1-1.5 hours. So by taking a half dose of the tranquilizer you reduce the effective duration but maintain its full strength effect during that time by amplifying it with a belt of sturdy rum.

 

[lylone]

Another xanax flyer here. And you would be amazed by how many people are afraid of flying.
On my last flight there was actually a flight attendant who freaked out during a flight. The whole bag breathing - head between the legs thing.. And guess who comforted her...ME! Well the other attendants had to finish the snack service while I sat in the jump seat next to her and just talking ton her helped out. She was very greatful and so were the other attendants. It allowed me to focus on here instead of my fear!
It was a shocking experience!!!

 

[MushyMushy]

OP, I'm terrified!

I watched all the videos, read books, read online, all of it. But there's no logic in the fear. It's primal.

I finally found my cure. Three .25 Xanax pills taking 1/2 hour, then 15 minutes, then right on the plane. After that, either a rum and Coke or vodka and cranberry. I'm fine for the 2 hour flight and then everything starts to wear off after we pick up our bags.

And here's something I don't get. It helps for me to sit by a calm stranger. My husband and daughter are great about comforting me, but having to keep it together next to a stranger also helps keep the fear at bay. What's odd about that is that I suffer from social anxiety. So, go figure.

NOPE, it about the same as the bus and it costs about the same as flying. If someone is that afraid of flying the train is a excellent alternative. You can get up and move around, have something to eat, watch the countryside go by, very relaxing.

Frankly the drugs isn't my idea of a good choice. Not to mention almost every one knows mixing drugs and alcohol is not a good idea. But to each thier own.

AKK

I think that all depends on where the fear stems from. One year we took the Autotrain and I was scared on the train! I figure it must be about a lack of control.

 

[MaleficentRN]

My Dh has some fear of flying for the same reason. He says sitting as far forward as he can helps. Not sure if that'll work for you at this point.