How to get over fear of flying?

[blitzen2k7]

I travel alot. I have been all over Asia and Europe. Even got a trip to the Middle East paid for by the department of the defense. I never had a fear of flying the entire time. But now, after two bad flights, I have an intense fear of flying.

First was flying from Hong Kong to LAX. There was a typhoon directly ahead and the pilot couldnt steer clear, go over, or under. He had to skirt it. Even announced on the intercom to everyone. So for the next 45 minutes every nightmare you could imagine on a plane, us passengers imagined. We were tossed every which way. Heads banged together. The electrics in the main cabin went completely out for the rest of the flight. And several times the pilot got on the intercom and shouted "Brace! Brace! Brace!" which means you put your head between your legs and wait for the end. But we did get through it to land at LAX.

Then a year later flying from Denver back to my hometown there was a storm over the airport. The pilot (I guess the gung ho type) went straight down through it. And again another 20 minutes of being shoved every which way. What was worse here was you could see lightning outside. Not like you see it from the ground. Just a bright ball as it struck the plane several times.

Anyway now the thought of getting on a plane scares me no end. I have to fly back to the Philippines to get my DW and DD soon. Plus our plan of going to WDW will require flying. There isnt anyway your getting me to travel there by car. I have an even worse fear of driving thanks to a drunk driver hitting me back in '93. I lock up in a death grip on the steering wheel if I even get behind the wheel of a car. As a passenger I am fine but not as a driver.

Oddly enough I can ride my motorcycle. Dont have a single problem there. Maybe its because I know a motorcycle's turn distance is far shorter then a car or possibly because I know I can literally jump off if need be. But I cant ride my motorcycle to WDW with the DW and DD along.

So if any of you have a fear of flying or just a strange quirk about it how do you get over it? How do you deal with it?

Blitz

 

[pixistix]

First of all, sorry to hear you had those horrific flights!
I'm not a fan of flying either and my DH LOVES flying! There's the fear of flying and the added bonus that I get motion sickness on the plane.
I take Dramomine for the motion sickness but I still had fear. I found this Web site: www.fearofflying.com. It was created by a pilot who explains everything about flying, how the plane works, what it's equipped to handle, etc. It's a great site and it's free to go through the course. It really helps!
We're going to WDW in June and originally were going to drive to save money but now we found flights that make it cheaper. So, I'm sure I'll go to the site before we leave and "review."
Good luck!

 

[Vicki1971]

Hi

I too am very worried about flying. Terrified, in fact at this moment in time I don't think I can board the plane.

We went to Florida for the first time last year. As we approached Florida we went through a terrible storm. It was terrifying.

The holiday was fantastic but the thought of getting home made me sick. I cried many different times on the flight back. I swore when I got off the plane I would never go on another.

However, my daughters loved going to WDW and so did I. Thinking back to the holiday I booked another for this year (7th of April). I pushed the thought of the flights out of my mind.

I have been trying to deal with the fear for many months - even seeking "professional" help. I have tried visualisation - when travelling on a train it moves about and if you close your eyes it can feel like turbulance ina plane. I have tried to use this to place myself on a plane a deal with the fear. I've tried many times - even when not ravelling and sometimes it helps.

I sit now, with 10 days until my flight. I have the worst sleep terrors going and I wish I knew an answer to how to deal with this.

My problem has been casued through trauma to the brain from cronic carbon monoxide posioning. It isn't something I can help - it's here and it's terrible.

I'm going to the doctors on Monday in the hope that they can give me something to help. I'd like to be asleep for the 9.5 hours of the flight. Not sure if they can do that though.

I have booked with an airline I trust. I looked into their saftey record too. I have read up on turbulance and problems with planes / causes of crashes. I have read all sorts, tried on line help.

The rest of my family have no fear of flying which doesn't help. It's hard to explain why you;re crying when to others there isn't a problem.

I hope with the work I've put in this passed year, the information I've read and the meditation service provided on the plane (for those with a fear of flying) I will get through this.

I love WDW and Florida, I can't see me ever getting tired of the place. I can't see how I will be able to go back if I can't master the flying.

I will let you know if anything helped when I get back. At this stage I'm scared and as prepared as I can be.

I feel for all who have this fear. Best of luck on your trip.
Vicki

 

[mamacatnv]

My Dr. gives me Xanax - great stuff, I don't feel "drugged" at all but all the anxiety of the flight is gone.

Good luck

 

[kribit]

First was flying from Hong Kong to LAX. There was a typhoon directly ahead and the pilot couldnt steer clear, go over, or under. He had to skirt it. Even announced on the intercom to everyone. So for the next 45 minutes every nightmare you could imagine on a plane, us passengers imagined. We were tossed every which way. Heads banged together. The electrics in the main cabin went completely out for the rest of the flight. And several times the pilot got on the intercom and shouted "Brace! Brace! Brace!" which means you put your head between your legs and wait for the end. But we did get through it to land at LAX

OMG - You poor thing. I can see where you would be nervous.

Check out this website
http://www.fearofflying.com/

He has some wonderful tips to get you through.

 

[Monte Cristo]

My Dr. gives me Xanax - great stuff, I don't feel "drugged" at all but all the anxiety of the flight is gone.

Good luck

What she said....you took the words out of my mouth.

 

[kmvand1]

I too have a fear of flying, but each time I do it (to Disney none the less) it seems to get better or less stressful. My husband, son and daughter insist, especially after a horrible trip on the auto train in 2005, so basically this is the only way to get them to go. I wear my 11 yo daughter's sleep goggles, Ipod and try to take something to relax me, luckily it is a relatively short trip, 2 hours. I can totally sympathize though, because I always think this will be the last time we fly and make a safe landing, but continue to do it the following year. Good luck!

1999 - First family trip to All Star Music
- 2003 June trip to All Star Sports
- 2004 Christmas trip to Coronado Springs
- 2005 Christmas trip to Pop Century
- 2006 Christmas trip to Carribbian Beach
- various childhood trips 1975-1983

 

[Tinkerboy00]

My Dr. gives me Xanax - great stuff, I don't feel "drugged" at all but all the anxiety of the flight is gone.

Good luck

Xanax, First Class, and all the free wine you can drink. You'll pass out, and not even know you are flying. Works for my SO

 

[Indianadisneyfan]

You have done more than me. I won't even get on a plane , I know it's safer to fly. I figure I have a 60% chance of living in a car wreck and 0% of living in a plane crash. My girlfriend wants me to go out west to see her family and I told her only if I can get 2 weeks off to drive. I know there is 1000's of flights everyday and no problems, but thats just me.

 

[arachal]

My Dr. gives me Xanax - great stuff, I don't feel "drugged" at all but all the anxiety of the flight is gone.

Good luck

Me too! That is the ONLY way I can fly. No drugged feeling at all....just takes away the anxiety. It's nice to know there are others like us.

 

[Trentmom]

Plus our plan of going to WDW will require flying. There isnt anyway your getting me to travel there by car. I have an even worse fear of driving thanks to a drunk driver hitting me back in '93. I lock up in a death grip on the steering wheel if I even get behind the wheel of a car. As a passenger I am fine but not as a driver.

Oddly enough I can ride my motorcycle. Dont have a single problem there. Maybe its because I know a motorcycle's turn distance is far shorter then a car or possibly because I know I can literally jump off if need be. But I cant ride my motorcycle to WDW with the DW and DD along.


Blitz

I am so sorry you had such horrible experience with flying. That would scare me from every flying again.

That is terrible about being hit by a drunk driver. What a tragedy.

Did you ever consider going to counseling since you are afraid to drive? You shouldn't have to have that fear for the rest of your life for what some creep did to you.

Whatever you do, I wish you the best and hope you have a great flight.

 

[mabenoab]

I'm awfully nervous on planes, too, and its a 3 + hour flight to WDW from our local airport. I tried listening to anti-flying tapes (and that actually helped a little). I've tried the wine, and I've tried the Xanax, and those helped a little too...but what really helped me was:

the last time we were returning home from WDW, we were in the towncar on the way to MCO to catch our flight and I could NOT do it. I couldn't bear the thought of getting on the plane and the flight. I freaked, so my husband (a saint of a man) agreed to rent a car and drive home. It took 2 days...2 long days (we stopped at a hotel one night). My husband, who doesn't mind flying at all, was very nervous as we made our way through DC, and NJ, and NY...it was bumper to bumper traffic through road construction. I didn't mind, but dh was most uncomfortable. I will never put him through that long stress again. So, for him, I'll fly.

AND...what's helping me this time also is a recent, scary reminder that I've gotten that reminded me that every day, & every experience of life is a gift. I want to live it, and not let my fears keep me from living a full, fun life. Someone on the boards has a saying on their tag that talks about living life to its fullest, and arriving at the final gates having thoroughly enjoyed the wild ride. I love that!

Good luck to you. You have my sympathies...Oh, and you could try putting on headphones and listening to whatever music you like loudly. When you feel a nasty bump or a movement you don't like...keep the headphones on and look at the faces around you. Chances are good you won't see fear, and be reassured that what scares you might be perfectly normal for the attendants and pilots.

 

[hematite153]

Did you ever consider going to counseling since you are afraid to drive? You shouldn't have to have that fear for the rest of your life for what some creep did to you.

Or, a creative option....

Why not volunteer as a participant in a simulator experiment. You'd get to experience driving in a situation where you KNOW nobody can hit you.

Overall though, OP, it does sound like flying is bound to be a better option. I wish you luck getting a handle on it since a flight to the Phillippines is too long to just hold your breath through. (Sorry, I don't have any advice that hasn't already been said other than to drink lots of water and make sure the air vents above you are open wide.)

 

[mom2my3kids]

I have never flown or I have never been on a cruise or any boat for that matter. We are flying for the first time in Sept, I am so nervous..

 

[Monte Cristo]

I have never flown or I have never been on a cruise or any boat for that matter. We are flying for the first time in Sept, I am so nervous..

Gosh....get out there and enjoy yourself!!! Don't sweat it, you'll be fine. Next time, hop on a plane and come to RI and maybe you'll get to go on one of the America's cup boats....

 

[mamacatnv]

Gosh....get out there and enjoy yourself!!! Don't sweat it, you'll be fine. Next time, hop on a plane and come to RI and maybe you'll get to go on one of the America's cup boats....

Great boat - but can I just have the house instead???? Beautiful

 

[Hope73]

I hate to fly but do if I have to. I am not to the piont of Xanax but my friend is, she just gets a script for 2 pills when she flys.

 

[Monte Cristo]

Great boat - but can I just have the house instead???? Beautiful

Even though there are some spectacular "houses" (aka mansions) in the area, that's actually the Castle Hill Inn and Resort in Newport, RI. Beautiful area.

 

[blitzen2k7]

Well I talked to my doctor this morning about xanax. He said before I go to the Philippines, to come see him and he will give me a script for them. But he also suggested I try accupuncture as well. He said I can do both. The accupuncture before the flight and if it doesnt feel like its working take a pill.

I never really felt like I need to see a doctor about my driving problem. I can ride my motorcycle so I dont really need a car that much. I am sure I will be able to drive again one day. Soon as they make the M1-Abrams Tank legal to drive on the roads. heh.

Blitz

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I'm sorry you had those horrible flights!! I also hate to fly, but I'll do it with Xanax. It's the best. I take enough so I sleep the whole time. I went to Cancun and didn't wake up until we were there. It can cause amnesia, which I did have. I can't recall going through customs or coming home. I think I took too much. Good luck with flying!!