Old member...old fear....new flight!!

[smokycmt]

I'm sorry I have been so out of touch with this board lately. I haven't flown since September (I can't believe it's been that long) but, alas, I leave for Phoenix on Monday :blech

I am taking USAir (god help me) from Philly and it's a direct flight. Just to refresh people's memories. I am not afraid of the plane crashing but I have an extreme fear of having a panic attack :shocked and even worse :barf !!!

I guess I am just looking for some reassurement...I know I will be okay even if those things do happen but this anticipatory anxiety is for the birds!

Thanks :happyguy

Christine

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Christine,

Meet the pilots! That is the best way to diffuse the anxiety. Have you ever taken any meds to fly? Xanax takes the edge off the anxiety - talk to your doctor about that if you want to try it.

You'll be fine!

Kelley

[beaugest]

Chris, glad you came back on the board. It really does help with the anticipatory anxiety. I don't know how I'll handle the next flight but I just did this long one with just about no anticipatory anxiety. I refused to let myself get caught up in worrying about it.
Given the specific concern you have, you might find it helpful to check out the links Mark has on here to sites dealing with anxiety. There are so many relaxation techniques that you can use to help take the edge off.
Also, have you ever seen Huey's list on what to do on the plane. It's hysterical. and humor is a great way to dilute the anxiety.
Let me know if you need help finding stuff. Monica

[xiknal]

Hi, Chris, nice to see you here again! :thumbsup

Anticipatory anxiety is often the worst part of flying, so perhaps you can take this opportunity to beard that dragon in its den. Check out the Reid Wison site in particular among the 'Resources' on the main page, and look for the strategies called thought-stopping, postponement and worry time. You may not need to do worry time if postponement works well--but it all takes practice. Once you see that you can take control of your worries now, you'll know that no matter what feelings come up on the plane, you can handle them. :)


PS...nothing to worry about with USAirways, regardless of their financial woes, the pilots are as trustworthy as ever, and they know they can trust their planes. I gotta inside scoop on that, too.

[Passenger Mark]

Hey Christine!

Great to see you here again! :wave

Anticipatory Anxiety is the worse... hate it.

What works for me, is during these times, to remember that I have done this before, and was fine. And to actually LOOK FORWARD to the flight.

Think about the good neat things to see out the window, and think about the destination!

Again... Great to see you again!

Take care,

Mark