What to do? I'm scarred to fly.....

[linnettevl]

I have to confess:

I am terrified of flying and ever since 9/11 I suffer from panic attacks that only gotten worse, I took the subway this week and out of the blue started to scream when we got to the tunnel, It was a nightmare, cops and everything...

We are going to Florida this month and I still do not have my airplane tickets, everyday my husband comes home to ask me when are we finally leaving everyday I reply: Its a surprise!!!
he doesn't know about my panic attacks and my fear of flying I am trying to convince him to take the train but to tell you the truth the idea that we need over 25hrs to get to Florida by train is not any better, not only that ,everytime that I watch CNN and they tell you that you have to be careful to travel I get this feeling in my stomach. I hate myself for feeling like this but I have two small boys that means the world to me . What can I do (with less than 3 weeks to go) to help me ease the fear, Iam willing to get in the airplane but what to do when you have that feeling that you will loose control. I know that some people do some kind of technics that they swear it helps but I do not know what are they.

BTW I used to travel a lot and never had this"problem" before...

Thank you all,
Linnette

 

[iceskatejen]

Remember that security is quite a bit tighter now and nothing like that has happened since because security has been better. Of course 9-11 got to you more than it did a lot of us (not that it didn't get to us, but here in CA we don't have daily reminders like the skyline looking different than what it did before) because you are pretty much right where it happened. Maybe see if you can take some sort of tranquilizer so that you can maybe sleep (or at least be really calm) through the whole flight? Hypnosis? Meditation? Try to find something that will work because you don't want to miss out on wonderful things like WDW because of fear. I would suggest talking to someone (like your husband or a therapist) about your fears. The best way to get over a fear is to face it head on.

 

[prplcrzy]

I agree with pp. You should talk to your doctor and see if they can prescribe you something. I would talk to them soon so you can test it out and make sure you don't have any side effects.

I have never liked to fly and since 9/11, I do think about things more but I would rather fly and be there in 3 hours vs. days of driving.

We bring our portable DVD player on the plane and watch a movie or just playing with the kids keeps me distracted.

Good luck and enjoy your trip. We work way too hard all year long and deserve our Disney vacations. No one is going to take that away from us!

Nancy

 

[Helene]

I, too, had started to get panicked about flying. My doctor prescribed a mild dose of an anti-anxiety agent and it worked wonders. I take a .5 mg tablet @ 30 minutes before take-off, and have had no problems at all.

I would definitely consult with a physician. Panic attacks can completely immobolize a person and I would hate for your fears to interfere with the fun things life has to offer.

If you want to PM me, I can offer some additional insight into the subject.

Good Luck!!!!

 

[beskeptical]

You can walk
You can realize that more people die in cars everyday then planes.
You can realize more people drown everyday then in planes
You can realize more people are murdered everyday then in planes.
You can realize more people died in theme parks then terrorist attacks in the USA last year.
You can vote for Kerry and hide in the closet.

Point being put it in perspective. There is a risk to each and everything you do. I prefer to deal with it and move forward. Not being insenstive. Just brutally honest.

 

[cooldisneymom]

Linnette - I share your fear also. However, you are braver than me. Before 9/11 I flew only when I had to (actually flew back from Dallas one week before the attack on the same size airplane). Now I absolutely refuse to fly. Medication or not, I can't do it. I get sick just thinking about it. If medication is a route for you, I suggest talking to your Dr. also. Everyone tells me if we don't fly then the terrorist have won. It's easy to say, but very hard to do when you feel like we do. I'm so sorry because I know how you feel. Fortunately we live only 8 hrs from WDW. Good luck and try to enjoy your trip.

 

[Robmom]

I felt that way too. I also live in Brooklyn and work in Downtown Manhattan. It was so hard to get back on that subway to return to work. I was out for about 3 weeks because we didn't have any electricity and only the essential employees were allowed back into the building. I know it's hard, but like the other poster stated, you can die anywhere anyhow. You could cross the street and die. Just because it's an airplane doesn't give you more of a chance for an accident. Think about all the fun you'll have in WDW and your family too. And, like the others were saying, talk to your doctor. Have a great trip!

 

[linnettevl]

Thank you all!!!

Beskeptical:
I do know that in life we have a risk everyday and in everything we do. (Thanks for being so honest)but this is something that is more physical than "emotional" to me.


I have tried very hard to supress and ignore my panic attacks, but when you start to shake,sweat,your heart is beating so fast that you think you are having a heart attack;It is very real and I do not want my children to witness mommy in this conditions. I am trying to avoid medications not only because of side effects but also I do want to be able to take care of my children. I think that my older boy is begining to sense my fears because all of the sudden he is very concern about flying and told me he is scared.

It helps to know that I am not the only person going thru this. I will see the doctor today to discuss what my options are--I also spoke to my husband(finally!!)and he is willing to take the train if that makes me feel better, but I do not want fear to rule my life.

I will decide today...Thank you again

 

[Robmom]

The only bad thing about taking the train is that you lose days from your vacation. But, if flying just can't be done, I guess you don't have a choice.

 

[enchantedpixiedust]

Hi
I can relate. I am deathly afraid of being on a plane, but I had this before 9/11. I have a Xanax and Phenegran prescription that helps once I'm on the plane, but just the build up to the day makes me physically ill.

Just fyi - I have the lovely problem of throwing up, bathroom problems, etc when i have an anxiety/panic attack and the Phenegran really works. One of the main sources of my attacks is worrying I'm going to have one.

I'm not a great one to give advice, I've found excuses to myself to drive the past couple years but want to fly in September.

I'd be happy to chat if you'd like...

 

[cooldisneymom]

enchantedpixiedust - it's nice to know that I'm not the only one that gets physically "sick" in a lot of ways over worrying. I've tried Xanax but don't like how it makes me feel - can't take medication because it makes me feel like I'm not in control. Sometimes it helps just to know that you're not the only one in this boat.

linnette - it's easy for people to say you can get killed anywhere and anytime - but if you're like me that doesn't change how you feel one bit - believe me I understand!!!!! I will keep you in my thoughts and I hope everything goes well for you!! PM me sometime if you want.

 

[ErinInCT]

I have taken Xanax which does relax me, but I swear I need something stronger!! I might get the Xanax to take for the few nights before the flight (can't sleep cuz I am so nervous) but maybe I can get valium for the actual flight. I would rather be completely knocked out!! I find that when I am watching the in flight shows I feel better (makes me forget I am on a plane) so maybe you can fly JetBlue or one of the airlines that has satellite tv! I would love that! I think I could withstand a 3 hr flight if I have my shows to watch!!!
Good luck. I keep holding off on booking my tix too, hoping dh will change his mind & let us drive (2 days vs 2 hrs, hmmmm...) I swear EVERY time we fly dh insists it is the last time because he cannot deal with me but as soon as it is over we forget about it! People who do not have phobias just don't get it!!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

i really didnt mind flying when i was younger. the last time we all flew to disney my dd was like 5 1/2 ish, we sat at the air port because of a storm. then we FLEW home in the storm i thought i was going to scream. i do now actuallytake anxiety med. cause even like tunnels, etc used to bother me. But the last few years we have been taking the TRAIN. ...... this year dd15 says I AM NOT SITTING ON THAT BORING TRAIN.....lol. i told my husband i would get medicine to fly, but hes so sweet , he says he doesnt mind the train, (yeahright ) .. i dont know , i keep saying that i should take medicine to fly, but i just get sick to my stomache thinking about it . and the weird thing, is EVERYONE in WORK says, oh just take a pill. oh i wish it was that easy. so i guess if we end up going in aug. we will be sitting on the TRAIN....lol i just plan extra days for vacation counting travel time.

 

[HeatherAnn23]

Well I am certainly at home in this boat! I like many of you, had absolutely no problems flying when I was younger - now I am petrified. Disney is honestly the only thing at this point that can get me in the air. I flew to DLR last year and my husband kept marveling at how my palms were dripping sweat - and I wouldn't speak at all during take off or landing. I am DREADING my flights across the country in a few weeks. I have already spoken with a doctor and arranged for medication, so I can actually interact with my son while we fly.
A point that I go over in my head that helps me a little bit:
I am 31 years old. I have always enjoyed and planned on a life with travel. I'm not going to let my fears change that dream for my life.
It doesn't change my fear, but it helps me know that at 31 I'm not yet ready to say I will never again go overseas....like Europe, back to Hawaii....or to Tokyo Disney!!!
Be brave!!
(To help with the stomach issues I always take 2 caplets of Pepto Bismol when I wake up on those high anxiety days)

 

[SkylarKD]

When I was 8 years old, I was in a plane that almost crashed. We were sitting by a wing seat, and we could see that the engine had caught on fire. The captain got on the radio and told us to brace ourselves. Even though I was a child, that was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. I had to deal with the idea of death before a lot of kids. I refused to fly in planes after that, not for vacations, or when we moved halfway across the country. But when I turned 18, I wanted to fly across the country to visit a friend. I decided to face my fear head-on. I didn't want my fear to rule my whole life and stop me from doing things I wanted to. So I went on the flight, by myself. (St. John's to Calgary - about a 7 hour flight, with touchdowns in Halifax and Toronto). I still don't LIKE to fly; the turbulance still makes my stomach flip-flop, but to me, it's a personal vistory every time I get on a plane, and I really have gotten better the more flights I've taken since the accident. I'm 24 now, and I've been on a bunch of national and international flights. I'm not going to say the idea of dying doesn't still scare me, but I can't live my life in fear - I refuse to.

For me, because of my nervousness, I feel more comfortable being in a window seat so I can see the ground, especially at night and when the plane is circling. I get nervous sitting in an isle seat when I can't see what's going on. Perhaps this would help you too. I do think that talking to a doctor and taking some medication would help, at least for your first flight.

Good luck with whatever you choose.