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Didn't know where else to post this, so I figured general would be as good a place as any.

I have to fly somewhere at the end of the month and I'm already dreading it. It's like trip to the dentist kind of dread. Even though I'm going someplace fun, I'm going to work myself up so much about this that I'll probably end up physically rattled enough to not even have a good time where I'm going.

I've managed to sort of calm down in the airport before, or even sitting on the plane before it's moving for take off, but as soon as take off happens the panic sets in. It's like my mind just goes right to, "omg ... I couldn't even get off this thing if I wanted to now ... I'm stuck here ... and I'm freaking out more and more and people are going to look at me and flying is completely unnatural and every little bit of turbulence is a personal crisis that I have to talk myself down from ... " My mind just pretty much goes to warp speed and snowballs into all sorts of horrid directions.

People have told me:
1. Just get drunk! (That doesn't work - getting drunk gives me anxiety as well.)
2. Just take a Valium or something! (That doesn't work either as I'm one of those odd balls where things like Valium has the opposite effect ... in fact I can't really take most drugs. Even cold medicine doesn't agree with me.)
3. Bring distractions! (I do this ... it only helps a small amount. The entire time I'm on the plane I basically have headphones on with music blasting and have my sunglasses on in attempts to just drown out the fact that I'm 30,000 feet in the air in a flying gas tank).
4. Go have hypnosis done on the problem! (Haven't tried that yet - don't know anyone that has or anyone that does it.)
5. See a psychologist (Tried that, didn't help at all.)

One thing I have tried that did actually get me on a plane after not having been on one for 16 years was EFT. That was a really intense and emotional experience and I felt uber awkward the whole time. I was thinking about trying that again, but the lady I saw last moved and I'm leery of just choosing someone else at random for it. I also only have a couple weeks to really do something about it at this point.

So yeah, just seeing if anyone else has "been there done that" on the fear of flying thing and any insight into how to get over it.

Try giving this a read, hon. :)

http://www.anxietyandstress.com/fearofflying.html (http://www.anxietyandstress.com/fearofflying.html)

Quote from: Sephirah on September 05, 2012, 12:05:23 AM
Try giving this a read, hon. :)

http://www.anxietyandstress.com/fearofflying.html (http://www.anxietyandstress.com/fearofflying.html)

Thanks :)

I think that's a great idea Venus-Castina. I've been up in small planes before with my dad and his pilot friends and I was ok (although I do have a fear of heights so that got to me) probably because it felt like there was more "control" or something.

OK, thought I'd bring this one back to life today.

Today I returned to the therapist that I had seen a few times before the whole GD thing blew up in mah face.  Since my GD issues are at bay now, I thought it was finally time to address my remaining problems.  I still have a fear of dentists and grief issues, but the number one thing left on my plate is a debilitating fear of flying. 

About 25 years ago, I was in a close call incident where the wing hit the runway on a rough landing.  The pilot got us to the gate, but for a few minutes, everyone thought they were about to die.  I sort of have PTSD issues stemming form that experience to this day.  I would really like to see Hawaii, Europe and Yankee Stadium someday, but for years all of my vactions have been limited to where we could drive.

Anyone else have flying issues or has overcome these?

It seems I get claustrophobic, have a fear of heights, hate not being in control, hate uncertainties and well, the incident.

I owe it to my wife to be able to go places with her, and would like to do so ASAP.

The only thing I fear about flying is doing it outside the aircraft!  ;D

What helped me at Medi-Flight was getting to know the pilot personally. After seeing and talking about his experience I gained a huge trust in his ability and I never had a problem then. Even the few times we almost got into trouble I knew I could count on his skills and confidence to get us out of it. I know you cannot get to know commercial pilots like this, but it does take a lot to be in that profession and most are former military pilots who are very good at what they do.  :)

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on September 12, 2014, 03:38:03 PM
The only thing I fear about flying is doing it outside the aircraft!  ;D

What helped me at Medi-Flight was getting to know the pilot personally. After seeing and talking about his experience I gained a huge trust in his ability and I never had a problem then. Even the few times we almost got into trouble I knew I could count on his skills and confidence to get us out of it. I know you cannot get to know commercial pilots like this, but it does take a lot to be in that profession and most are former military pilots who are very good at what they do.  :)

Actually, one of my transsisters (trademarked Jill-ism) is a pilot.  She thought I was kinda crazy for not liking to fly.  Maybe I should give her a call today.  My therapist basically saw what I've already overcome (I saw her back when I was that fat, depressed guy with a beard) and thinks this will be a snap in comparison. 

As a practical matter, try to get a seat near the middle of the aircraft as that will be the most stable during any turbulence.  You might try to get a window seat and close the shade to try and pretend you're on a train instead of a plane.  Stay hydrated as that's a big problem on airplanes, and you'll feel better if you're hydrated.  On general principles, look at an airport terminal map and find out how security and carry-ons work, and then leave plenty early because flying serenely through all the pre-flight stuff will keep you from being frazzled before you even get near the plane. Would it help to schedule the flight for a terrible hour when you'll be too tired to get worked up?  Have you considered ditching the sunglasses and just going for a blindfold?  Would you rather keep your eyes clear and try to lose yourself in a book or tablet?     

I'm a frequent flier.  Airplanes bother me much less than airports.

Hugs and good luck, 

I worry about take offs and landings. Once at cruising altitude there is little to no danger other than some freak accident. Yeah anything could go wrong but very rarely does. I would rather be in the air than on the roads. Driving is a lot more dangerous than flying.

Quote from: Jess42 on September 12, 2014, 04:29:47 PM
I worry about take offs and landings. Once at cruising altitude there is little to no danger other than some freak accident. Yeah anything could go wrong but very rarely does. I would rather be in the air than on the roads. Driving is a lot more dangerous than flying.

I do realize it is completely irrational that I've been in some nasty, scary car wrecks and still have no problems driving.

Quote from: Jill F on September 12, 2014, 04:33:59 PM
I do realize it is completely irrational that I've been in some nasty, scary car wrecks and still have no problems driving.

It may be the control thing. I am way more nervous when I'm riding with someone instead of driving. Like I said the take offs and landings are the only parts that I get a little anxious about. Well the take offs, by the time the landing comes I could care less. ;)

This may sound amazing, but I fear enclosed places and also high elevations, as looking down from a mountain or tall building. And yet I do very well in a plane. No problem what-so-ever. Even my very first flight back in 1968, had no problem, even took the window seat and enjoyed the view. Maybe I felt safe being in something instead of at the edge of something to slip and fall. My claustrophobia has gotten worse throughout the years, though, and now have to have the aisle seat in case I need to get up and walk around or to the lavatory. I still like looking a couple of seats over for the window view, though. I would rather get up and let the others closer to the window go to the lavatory, etc., than to have that enclosed feeling at the window or the middle seat.

The idea of going on a plane is pretty terrifying to me, and I am always thinking that the worst possible thing that can happen will actually happen. I guess when I finally do get on a plane, I will try and focus on how excited I am to get to where I'm headed. I could also just repeat I will get from point A to point B safely in my mind and hope that I believe it.

Well hello All,

I had this fear as well but I am working on it and my fear has become much better. 

The truth of the matter is flying is not natural and so we do feel uncomfortable.  Your in a tube going 500mph 30,000 feet about the ground, humans have only flown for the past 100 years.  (Natural Fear). 

I read a book called Cockpit Confidential and it actually has helped me.  Its written from a pilot and he goes through what happens on a flight.  I hate to quote statistics but the chances of dying on the way to the airport is a hell of a lot more possible than in an aircraft. 

I would also once boarded, talk to the flight crew and tell them that you are not the best flyer.  There is nothing wrong with this and being open and honest has worked for me, when I fly. 

Hopefully you do not dread this and you will get to your destination safe and sound. 

Keep in mind that you have a much better chance of being in a fatal car crash than in a plane. Hope this doesn't cause fear of driving!