Help, anxiety!

[littleangie]

Hey everyone! I am 40 days away from my trip to wdw for the princess half marathon. This will be my first time flying ever! My nerves and anxiety are in overdrive already. So what are some thing to help me with this anxiety/ fear? My hubby is going also but he told me this past weekend he is very nervous about flying ( he has flown before but like 15 years ago). We are flying out of cincinnati to Orlando. Please help, I have considered canceling ( sorry if misspelled) the trip because of my anxiety. Also this will be our first trip just us! I am begging for some advise.

 

[minnie mum]

What is it that you are anxious about?

Missing your flight? ARRIVE at the airport 2 hours ahead of time and you'll be fine. If you have time to kill once you get to the gate, find the closest bar, have a drink, and relax.

Losing your luggage? Either pack just enough to fit in your carry on luggage or cross pack with your DH ( you put some of your stuff in his suitcase, he puts some of his in yours). Make sure any valuables, electronics, prescription meds,and all documents are in your carry on.

Going through security? Wear clean underwear. You'll be fine. No big deal. Just don't have anything in your carry-on luggage that you shouldn't have. If in doubt, the TSA website has a list of prohibited/restricted items.

Flight leaving late or being cancelled? No point in worrying, since there's nothing you can do about it. If its cancelled, get on your phone ASAP and rebook. Have a drink and relax.

Enroute misadventure? The likelihood is considerably less than the likelihood of an accident on the way to the airport. Bring something to distract you. Read a book. Listen to your favourite music. Talk to your DH about the trip. Sleep. Have a drink or two. If you're really nervous, have a drink before you board. The airport bars open early and close late.

Being nervous about something you haven't done before is normal. Just remember that there are thousands and thousands of uneventful, boring flights every day. I admit that much of this post has been tongue in cheek. But the bolded part really does help if its the actual flying that makes you nervous.

 

[disney world dreamer]

i flew for the first time when i was 20 and it was from toronto (also my first time in toronto. i live in western new york and we were taking air canada out of toronto i guess cuz it was the cheapest) to ROME and it was through an educational tour group and the only person i knew was my bff.
i was nervous but it all worked out.
less than a year later i went on another overseas trip this time with my sister and niece.
after that i started flying to disney world vs driving.
each time i flew i hated it more and more. not really because i was fearful but more because i hated the stress of going through security and on the plane i get antsy and i have self diagnosed restless leg syndrome.
i finally asked my doctor if xanax would help.
that stuff works wonders!!!
i only used it for when i'm flying.
it has never made me feel "out of it" or anything.
all it does is make me feel relaxed like security doesn't h ave to be stressful and i don't have to feel like i need to move every few seconds when on the plane.

i've talked to others that have taken xanax during flights due to fear of flying and they also say it makes a world of difference for them.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Never mind what others say... I have high anxiety, have flown a couple of times long long ago and swore, never again... It just isn't worth the worry...last flight was on Valium ... all went fine but the whole trip there was miserable knowing I'd have to fly home again....no amount of reading, self therapy can ease an anxiety ridden mind....others say, buck up and get over it....be in my shoes.... I'd love to relax and enjoy flying but that's not going to happen...

To solve my dilemma we took to Amtrak... Not as fast as flying, but what is, but so relaxing of a way to travel....we've done many an Amtrak adventure from northeast Ohio to Kissimmee....cheap price too....

We've gotten back to driving too... We just don't rush, take our time and with those two modes of transportation, there is no anxiety level to hamper a vacation... Peace of mind is a great thing and being rid of an anxiety experience is the best...I wish you well..

 

[goofy4tink]

Ok. I used to be a white-knuckle flier....I was ready to start throwing up 2 days before flying! Wasn't a good way to be. Flying a lot cured that. The best advice I can give you is this.....there is no way so many people would make a living at 32,000' if it wasn't safe! Yeah, I know.....it's still scary as all get out. Here's the thing....it takes a lot to bring a plane down. Can it happen? Sure. But, you are in greater danger if dying on a roadway. Yes, it's much more dramatic when a plane goes down with 150 people. But when you stop and realize exactly how many planes are in the air, at any given time, you will understand how truly safe it is.

Yes, there are those who really can't get on a plane and fly. But, that is a small percentage. If you can take a deep breath, and try to calm your fears, you'll be glad you did.
So....here's how I got my fears under control....get to the airport in plenty of time. You don't need to be stressing about time. Try to get an idea how it all works....bag check, security, the gate area, and boarding. Use the bathroom, frequently! Get to the gate, sit down and try to relax. People watch. Sometimes, watching how others are reacting helps. The worst moment for me was walking through that jetway door and down to the plane. Take a few good cleansing breaths. Find your seat and stow your stuff. Each person has their favorite seat/area. I love the window, others love the aisle. Being on the aisle can make it easier because you can't see what's going on outside! Back when I was a nervous flier, I preferred being close to the front.....I hated sitting in back and looking at those rows and rows of people!

Bring some magazines with you. They are easier to read than books when you're nervous. When you take-off, there are things that happen that can be scary. Find a fear of flying website....that will tell you what to expect. I know that I was always scared silly when I felt a slight sense of weightlessness about 30 secs after take off. But, it's perfectly normal. Or the noises that happen landing gear, moving in and out, can really be un-nerving if you aren't expecting it!

Then once in the air, and leveled out, watch the flight attendants. If they are moving about the cabin, all is well. Even if you hear the captain tell the FAs to take their seats, there's turbulence, don't panic. Happens all the time!

You can do this! You will get off the plane and be so proud of yourself. Then.....a fun stay in WDW, and back to the airport to do the whole miserable thing again!

 

[pooch]

never actually got sick but had that feeling in the pit of my stomach every time. Couldn't read, couldn't sleep, couldn't relax. Only the pull of the Mouse could get me on a plane. But the more I flew, the less it bothered me. Now I hop on the plane with no issues, grab my seat, a good book and a Baileys & coffee and we're back on the ground in no time flat. For me, I just needed to get familiar with the whole routine & I was fine. For some, its more than that and I understand some will never get over their fear. But give it a shot. Use the calming advice given here. I bet you'll be fine too.

 

[tobikaye]

OP, one of the other posters asked, but what is making you nervous about flying? Unless we know, we cannot really help.

For flights, I still always get a bit nervous on take off and landing. If your flight is nonstop, then it really should be a simple flight. I usually take a magazine or book, something non-electronic, that I can read during take off and landing so I have something to focus on other than the plane's motion. Chewing gum, or something sticky, during take off can help alleviate the pressure that builds and possibly keep your ears from popping.

If your nerves are for the entire trip, including the airports, then I would suggest that on this portion you can help settle them. There are maps and photos of the airports online. CVG to me is a pretty easy airport to get around and although MCO seems crazy, the signs make it simple to get around.

 

[littleangie]

The part that scares me is the flight. I have never flown before so everything is new. When I get anxious I get sick like throwing up. I am worried that once I'm on the plane that my anxiety will overcome me and I'll get sick. I am also worried about weather. I know that this will be a first experience and that its common to be nervous. I am just feeling very anxious.

 

[goofy4tink]

The part that scares me is the flight. I have never flown before so everything is new. When I get anxious I get sick like throwing up. I am worried that once I'm on the plane that my anxiety will overcome me and I'll get sick. I am also worried about weather. I know that this will be a first experience and that its common to be nervous. I am just feeling very anxious.

Ok. Airplanes are built for 'weather'. Nothing to worry about. If you're really concerned about being so nervous that you throw up, ask your doctor. Perhaps you can get a small prescription for something to take the edge off.
But, seriously, you should be okay. Again.....all those people wouldn't fly for a living if it was unsafe! Keep thinking about where you're going, and the fun you're going to have. Flying can be fun.....try to relax. If you feel that you're going to throw up, there are bags for that in the seat pocket....you won't be the first. You may want to bring some plastic shopping bags with you....just in case. My dd thinks they're better for throwing up in than most 'barf bags'. Just a humorous thought.

 

[littleangie]

So here is more info: we are flying CVG to MCO nonstop on frontier airlines. Our flight is schedule to depart at 7:35 am. I'm nervous about weather getting to airport, but mainly the flight itself.

 

[tobikaye]

So here is more info: we are flying CVG to MCO nonstop on frontier airlines. Our flight is schedule to depart at 7:35 am. I'm nervous about weather getting to airport, but mainly the flight itself.

If you leave in 40 days, that means mid-February, which is a crap shoot weather wise in the Greater Cincinnati area. With a 7:35 am departure, I would plan to arrive at CVG about 5:30-5:45 am. Since you already live in Northern Kentucky, at least per the left side info, this means your trip will not be that long, I am guessing 20-30 minutes to the airport. Traffic should not be as bad on I-71 and I-275 at that time of morning.

Something to note is that I once left Dayton on a flight about 7 am during a very cold February a few years ago and the plane had to go through de-icing. It did freak me out a bit, but since I had to de-ice my windows to drive to the airport, it made sense that they had to de-ice the plane.

Non-stop from CVG to MCO is great since the flight is just over 2 hours long. By the time the plane takes off, levels out, and they turn off the seat belt sign, you only have about 1-1.25 hours before you start getting ready to land.

If you are worried about throwing up, I agree that you might want to take something once you get to the airport before your flight. My cousin used to have trouble with flying or driving and occasionally had to take a Dramamine.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I don't enjoy flying. But I despise 25 hour car trips even more. So, flying it is for me.

Gravol helps me immensely. It stops any nausea (from motion sickness or nerves). It also makes me drowsy which helps me relax more during the flight. I take it about an hour before our scheduled take-off and it has kicked in by the time we board (and is wearing off by the time we land).

We pick an airline that has pre-assigned seating. Not having to jockey for seats next to my family takes away a good deal of pre-flight anxiety.

I watch TV while onboard. Its amazing how much quicker time passes when you're engrossed in an episode of Criminal Minds or Property Brothers. And it gives something other than every little movement of the plane to focus on.

 

[maxiesmom]

I flew without a problem for years. And then one trip, I had a panic attack.

So now when I fly I do the following:

Half of a Xanax before boarding. It doesn't make me drowsy at all. It just takes away the panic.

Load a bunch of books and games onto my Nook. I love love love that you can now use almost all electronics for the whole flight! I sit in my seat ( I like aisle seats near the back of the plane) put my headphones on, turn on my MP3 player and my Nook. Then I am good to go! Movies are also great if you have a computer or tablet you can load a few on. They make the time go by super fast.

 

[ToddyLu]

I always get a little anxious too. Like PP, DH takes Xanax and it helps a lot...helps me too since I sit next to him. Look at it as an adventure. When I am going through security I watch everyone. I watch how some people are organized and some are clueless, some are slow and others are fast. I always speak nicely to the agent that looks at my ticket. Once I am through the line I sit down to put my shoes on and take really deep breaths...and I enjoy watching DH relax too. It is OK to be anxious. I don't mind the flying as much and the process of getting on the plane. Once in the seat I am OK. So if there is something that stresses you out on the ground. How do you approach it? If something is new, do you dive full in or do you put your toes in the water first. Use the approach that you always use....maybe it is watching a you tube video, or reading the TSA site 20 times...I am a researcher and usually that is my approach...I kinda look up what ever it is and find that the more I know the more relaxed I am.

You really want to get to Disney and this is the fastest way to do it. For 2 hours of aggravation it is worth it. MCO is very nice with an easy layout to me. We fly SW and I enjoy the tram that takes us from the gate to the main terminal to get our bags....my first monorail of the trip...

I think you should stop on the way to baggage claim and buy yourself a little souvenir for your first flight....maybe a candy bar you have been craving, a beverage...for me it would be, and usually is, a McDonald's Caramel Frappe...but we aren't talking about me...