HELP!!Afraid to fly.. any suggestions

[Tinky]

ok... i no this is silly but.. I am afriad to fly. It's not so bad that my throat closes when I think about it but I do get a pit in my stomach. I have went through everything in my head.. it's safer than driving, its a 2 1/2 flight opposed to a 20 drive, etc.... I was never afraid until I had my two youngest children (don't know why) but now I can always validate driving to WDW because its "less expensive". My two youngest have never flown because of my phobia and my dd (12) and husband are getting a little irritated with me on this subject.
Worst of all, I work for a travel company and get EXTREMELY good airfare rates, sad but true!
Has anyone had any luck with fear of flying programs?

 

[TnRobin]

Actually, it sounds familiar. Ever since Matt was born, I am "apprehensive" about flying. I get really nervous about a week before we leave. I remind myself that it is safer to drive. 1 hour in the air is better than 12 on the road. It really doesn't help. Mine isn't yet to the panic state (unless you count the time they took us off one plane because it was broken and put us on another).

Usually, I just try not to think about it until I get to that airport. Then I try to focus on something else while I wait, having a 7 year old wanting my attention helps. Once we get airborne, I feel better. When it comes time to land, again, I try to think of something else.

Sorry, I don't have any sure fire way of making it better. I just can symphatize with you.

 

[4nana]

Thank God that is one fear I have been spared, but I feel for all those who are leary of flying I hope this link to the thread
'fear of flying' on the transportation board works and you find it helpful. Good Luck, be safe and keep the faith ^i^

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=177332&highlight=fear+of+flying

 

[two4ruff]

I can relate.

After months of planning our cruise, I was afraid it would be ruined by me not be able to board the plane. I don't remember having this fear as a child, but it continues to get worse as I get older!

Some may think it is an easy way out, but my doctor prescribed Xanex - one for each flight. Didn't knock me out, but helped me relax and not effect my kids with my fear.


I don't believe drugs are an answer for everyone, for I rarely even use cold medicine, but it sure help my particular situation!

Oh, a little prayer helps too!!

 

[disboo]

I developed a fear of flying after a particularly rough flight (airport was closed for tornadic activity just after we took off.) After that, I dreaded flying - pit-of-the-stomach stuff that would start a week before the trip. My heart would race, and I would have persistent thoughts that the plane might crash.

Since I wanted to keep traveling, I did several things, which really helped. One - I talked to my doctor who prescribed a mild pill that keeps the heart from racing. Two - every time I did fly I would talk myself through it with positive comments. For instance, I would notice how cheerful and calm everyone else was. I would notice how the plane bounced a little as it went down the runway (so that similar bounces in the air would seem comparable). I would say to myself during the most stressful times, "This is what I want to be doing. I am going somewhere I want to be. This is part of my adventure. This is fun." I would notice the little bumps as we passed through different layers of air, and remind myself that we might feel the same bumps on the way down.

Well, after a couple of years of this, I don't need the medication, and I no longer have the week of dread and a "death grip" on the armrest any more. I still get a little nervous sometimes, but I just talk to myself about it. I also firmly push disaster thoughts out of my mind.

I even was on a bumpy flight recently, and did just fine.

Good luck. You can probably get over this - maybe with some help! ! ANd its worth it to be able to fly to wonderful places you might not get to otherwise!

edit for crummy spelling!

 

[moocow35]

Try valium or xanax (which is shorter acting) that is the ONLY way that I can do it!

Robin ºOº

 

[disneyvacationmom]

My doctor prescribes Ativan or Lorazapan for me. It takes the edge off and it wears off quickly. It makes the trip far more enjoyable.

 

[Tinky]

Thanks for the support! I was beginning to feel like I was the only one who felt this way My husband loves to fly and cannot understand why I have issues with it. But he has been very good about accomodating my fears and driving everywhere we go. However, the last time we drove to WDW I think we were on the highways with every crazy driver from Mo to FL. It made me think how much safer we would be in the air above them. I'm going to try it (with a little help from Mr. Xanax) and some positive thoughts.
(Wonder how much it would be to rent a car one way from FL to MO if I can't get back on the plane

 

[nuke]

I have never been afraid to fly in the past. Since Sept 11th, I keep reading more and more about the FAA and it scares me to death. I have flown 3 times since 9/11 so it isn't that, it is the safety issues that I am reading about. The article in this months Playboy have put me over the top and I don't think I will fly unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

[my3kids]

I'll join your club too! I know in my head the "it's safer than driving" thing. I just keep repeating the NBC news man who says "planes don't just fall out of the sky"(that one helps after we are already in the air....takeoff if the worst for me) I try to watch the flight attendant during takeoff....if their face looks unconcerned, I figure they know what feels normal and what doesn't. It is worst when I have not flown for a while. The more frequently I'm up, the less it bothers me.

I have not ever asked for medication before, but some friends have, and they say it is very helpful. I would certainly talk to the doctor about the fear. One quick flight will get you to the boat that much faster! It's worth an appointment to see what might help in your situation. Good luck and know, you are not alone!

 

[December99]

I am also VERY afraid of flying...but I flew in March to Boston. It was the only way I could join my dh (he was there for a confernce) and go somewhere I've wanted to visit but haven't had the opportunity to yet. One thing that I did was pack my cd player and some cd's. Fortunately we got to have audio on the plane so I didn't listen to them but listening to the music on the plane was very calming for me....and talking to my dd while we were listening to the same channel was fun - we chatted about the music we were listening too. And I also sat with my eyes closed a good portion of the flight and that helped me too. I don't sit by the window anymore...as I can't stand seeing what is happening.

Another thing I did was I really looked over what was happening preflight and inflight...I looked closely at the people sitting near me...I looked at the people in the waiting area that were boarding the same flight...I really watched the security...and I felt much more comfortable than I thought I would.

Something else I did, which you wouldn't think was good...was because we had the audio...I listened to the captain and the flights that were happening around us - the tower and all...got to hear of what other flights were around us and would have heard, unfortunately probably, anything that would have happened. I don't know why...but that helped me feel safer!