HELP..fear of flying..phobia!!!

[DonnaW]

I have a *horrible* fear of flying. This is a phobia I had for many, many years before the terrorist attacks and it has only become worse since then. I have flown quite a bit for someone who is so afraid, and now I find I would like to (need to) go out to California soon to see family (I would also like to combine a trip to Disneyland with this!!!) If anyone has any thoughts on how to combat a horrible fear of flying to make this any easier for me, please pass them my way! I really, really would like to go, but the flying just TERRIFIES me!!!

 

[Ted and Holly]

Xanax. Does wonders for Holly.

Ted

 

[Dodie]

This is a question that's asked a lot, usually on the Transportation Board.

I understand, because I have the same problem. I did a quick search and came up with the following threads...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=269763&highlight=fear+of+flying

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=206797&highlight=fear+of+flying

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

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=146854&highlight=fear+of+flying

Good luck. Personally, I have to take Xanax to get on the plane.

 

[WilmaBud]

I just want to let you know I empathize with you. I have the same dreadful fear. I've flown lots of times, and it never gets better. I used to just get a bit tipsy in the airport bar before boarding (not a great strategy for early morning flights, though, if you want to be on top of your game after you land - I always had a crushing headache). Usually, I just try to suck it up and busy myself with reading or some other diversion. I haven't flown in 5 years, though, and I'm not planning to anytime soon. It really stinks to feel this way.

 

[Mish19]

This website helped me out alot :

http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/

 

[Patrick IL.]

Donna...Ellen has the same terrible fear. A valuim once we board the plane and she is fine.

 

[JohnTBap]

I second the Xanax.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Ted is right... Xanax does wonders.... I never liked flying....I hit rock bottom the vacation where we had to make an emergency landing... I didn't want to get on the plane to come home....

The next time we were scheduled to fly was November 2001, just after 9/11. On top of that, there was that AA plane crash in Long Island the MONDAY before our Friday departure. I tried to cancel our trip..... I was paralyzed with fear, couldn't sleep, etc. I was convinced I would not be able to take that step from the jetway onto the plane.... I didn't think I'd be able to physically get ON the plane!

A frantic call to my doctor got me a prescription for Zanax. I waited until 1/2 hour before the flight to take it and instantly I was fine!!! I take it every trip now...

I does NOT make you loopy, but it does make me dowsy. I can actually DOZE on the flight if I want, but I can also stay awake if I want to.... It takes away the PHYSICAL feelings of fear... racing heart, sweating, upset stomach. You still think scary thoughs, but when your body doesn't react, it goes away.

ANYTHING could happen on my flights now and I'd be okay with it....

I think the Xanax also helped when we landed in Logan at Midnight a couple of weeks ago, and I discovered that our luggage ALL OF IT, did not arrive with us. Without the Xanax, I would have thrown a FIT!!!!! I calmly gave my name and address, even more camly told Ted, and then slept the entire drive to our house.

I will NEVER fly without it again!

Holly

 

[FOJMO]

I can't help but see how ironic all this talk about Xanax is in light of what happened with the flight attendant who put the Xanax in the baby's apple juice the other day!

 

[Cindyluwho]

I don't have a fear of flying but I do need a valium to go the Dentist, even just to have my teeth cleaned. And I don't mean a "little bit" of valium, I mean a whole 10mg. If I can't sleep through it, it's not gonna happen. Phobias are a strange thing, they seem to be something we're born with. My other phobia is little people (dwarfs), I nearly pass out when I even see one on TV. The way the brain works is a mystery to me.

 

[Boo'sMom]

I don't have a fear of flying, but we're trying to convince a friend with a deep seated fear to fly cross country to Vegas next year...I'll read up on these suggestions.

 

[allicat]

Im flying to Disney in a week. Havent flown since right before 9/11. I just keep putting it out of my mind. I try to invision the fun we will have when we arrive.Like Ted and Holly posted, I cant see myself getting on the plane!
I dont think xanax is an option because we arrive at 9:30 am! If I take that early in the AM, my day will be shot. Im also not good with medications- my stomach doesnt handle it well.

 

[daannzzz]

I hate flying and am a basket case (though it doesn't look like it...usually) at take of and landing. I am getting better in the middle part though. I have had people "loan" me Xanax and it worked okay but not for very long. I got a valium from someone and that worked very well but still wore of for the landing. The best thing I have found without drinking and taking pills is to have a really good book...usually something that is a foavorite...that I read all the way through the landing.

 

[KarenB]

I went to the fear of flying site. I printed out the section about all te noises and what the plane was doing on each part of the flight. I think it was about 13 pages or so. Then I took it on the plane and read along each step of the way, from backing out of the parking spot, to landing gear moving, to wing flap noises, etc.

My kids kind of chuckled at me and they always remind me of one thing written on the paper I printed......


A Plane Is Happiest In The Air!!!!!!

It really helped!
Karen

 

[goofymom23]

I have the same fear. Drugs do wonders, ask your Doctor and then take the pills. Remember that it is the safest form of travel. If you think about how many planes take off and land each day all over the world then you can see how it is the safest. The pilots have family and they do not want to crash. The security is the best its ever been with Air Marshals on the planes. Just imagine yourself in your favorite place doing your favorite thing and ask for an isle seat. You can do it. Planes are made to fly, they need to fly, it is there whole purpose.

 

[wdwnutze]

I have the same fear. I have never liked flying but I would do it if it got me where I wanted to go. I haven't flown since a couple weeks before 9/11 and I have vowed to never fly again. As irrational as I know it is, I know I would never be able to get on a plane again. I had planned to go to Hawaii for my 20th anniversary in Oct. but I have stopped planning that. My next trip to WDW in Nov. will be by car. I would rather drive for 24 hours than get on a plane for 3hours. It is a terrible fear and one I will have to live with.

 

[BuzzMe]

KarenB, I also printed out the Fear of Flying pages and read over and over on the plane! The site is very helpful and really did calm some of my fears. However... I could never fly without my Xanax. Like Holly, I don't get loopy from it. It just "takes the edge off" and it's not long lasting enough to wipe me out for the rest of the day. I work at a travel agency and actually see how many flights are scheduled for each hour of the day, between hundreds of cities, and realize how minute the chances are of something happening to me. Listening to calming music on my walkman helps to drown out the plane noises.

 

[Mishetta]

I'm with you! The last flight I took was in 2000 & I was so frightened & anxious that I swore I would never fly again. I hope not too anyway. If it's impossible to get there by land, I ain't goin!

We have driven from MI to FL twice now & also to NY. I never realized how much I enjoyed the drive. There is so much scenery. Of course, I have family in Europe that I may never see again but......

I think for me to get back on another flight, I would have to take a valium, a xanax & down it with a gallon of vodka.

Good luck to you! Hope you're braver than I am!!

 

[ByTheSea]

I fly over 80 times a year and yes, I have a fear of flying. It's not as bad as it was but I am nervous for every single take-off, once we are in the air, unless it is particularly turbulent, I am fine.

I am not a big drinker, nor do I care to medicate, but I have found (for me anyway) that reading, a book or good magazine, and focusing on my reading prior to take off seems to calm me the most. I always get a dry throat/mouth when nervous so I always carry a bottle of water with me as well.

Good luck

 

[Buckalew]

I also take 1/2 of 1mg of xanax before I fly. I know I would have never been able to get on a plane w/o it. I am not afraid of crashing I am afraid of the enclosed, stuck in the air thing... weird I know.

allicat, I bet if you took xanax before bed the night before and then if you still felt bad a.m., you could take 1/4 or 1/2 and feel more calm. I have never had trouble doing the parks after taking it.