marven
02-19-2007, 01:42 AM
Hey folks,
Been lurking for a few weeks just reading some folks fears...I am just relieved that I am not the only ones that seems to have these fears...I was beginning to think I was going nuts..just a bit about how I developed my fear..I can remember it exactly..I quote from http://www.anxieties.com..
4. You had several months of stress prior to becoming uncomfortable
Your first difficulties with flying might have come after a period of stress in your life. This frequently relates to people who have developed panic attacks. We know from research that people tend to have their first panic attack following six to eight months of stress. This stress often relates to the theme of loss, such as death in the family, long-standing illness of someone close to you, moving, changing jobs, divorce. Even some events that seem like gains, such as marriage or having a child, can precede the first panic attack. Each of these positive events includes not only something that you gain, such as a partner or a son or daughter, but some sense of loss, such as your freedom, your ability to control your time, and your independence. If you go through a very stressful period, it is as though your mind becomes more vulnerable and more fragile. Then, out of the clear blue, you have your first panic attack. If these panic attacks continue, then you will begin to fear places or situations in which you feel trapped or out of control. Airplanes can fit into that category, since you don't get to fly the plane and you don't get to get off whenever you want!
2 years ago I was offered a job in DC from my office in Toronto. I was flying down to Regan National for the "formal" interview. I also was going through a MAJOR family dispute that made me very upset....On the way to DC I started feeling very ill, like nausea and thinking "what am I doing?", I dont wanna move!!! I had to get up and go to the bathroom, undo my tie and take a few deep breaths...I was feeling ALOT of anxiety! Well anyway I did move...
Anyway ever since then I am really really scared of flying! I still fly but only very small trips. Whenever I am getting on small plane it freaks me out even more and I ALWAYS get seated at the back :fuming:!
On my last trip to London on business I was flying back and no matter what I did, no matter how much I drank..nothing helped and on top it there was soo much turbulance! On the way back I was praying to reach home safely and vowed that IF I made it back I would never get on another plane again :(! Well I did but now I avoid flying as much as I can..I cant talk to anyone on a flight, I cant watch movies and I can't relax:cry:! I just crash when I get home from all the adrenline flowing for the trip.. To top if all off not only do I have to go to the UK on business a few times a year but my inlaws live there as well! So even if I dont go I cant sleep all night until my wife gets there...
Soooo here I am trying to do something about it. I am reading anxieties.com and going through all your posts. I am scheduled to fly in about 3 weeks and already am fearing it! We are moving back to Toronto at the end of April and I just wish that I could move home before the flight...like others I am having other unfounded fears such as I may never get home to Toronto cause something could happen on the plane! I am really stressing myself out and I know alot of it is silly but these are real fears to me! The above from anxieties describes me exactly! B/C I am not in control and I cant see what happens or what the pilot is doing and that instills alot of fear...When planes fly overheard I am amazed how they stay up:shakehead! I am afraid of heights so that doesnt help! Actually I found that if I dont sit on the window it helps cause I cant see outside however the "control" issue comes back in! The other thing that I really got me scared is I saw one of the engines shaking on the way back from London...in my mind I can see it just falling off! I can"t see why it shakes?? Shouldnt it be on there solid??
I am even thinking about taking some "medication" to help me relax..I dont prefer too b/c I do feel that drugs are not the answer to deal with stress. Just not sure I have enough time to get my anxiety control.
Anyway sorry for the loooog post....any suggestions??
Happy and Safe Flying everyone!
M.
Been lurking for a few weeks just reading some folks fears...I am just relieved that I am not the only ones that seems to have these fears...I was beginning to think I was going nuts..just a bit about how I developed my fear..I can remember it exactly..I quote from http://www.anxieties.com..
4. You had several months of stress prior to becoming uncomfortable
Your first difficulties with flying might have come after a period of stress in your life. This frequently relates to people who have developed panic attacks. We know from research that people tend to have their first panic attack following six to eight months of stress. This stress often relates to the theme of loss, such as death in the family, long-standing illness of someone close to you, moving, changing jobs, divorce. Even some events that seem like gains, such as marriage or having a child, can precede the first panic attack. Each of these positive events includes not only something that you gain, such as a partner or a son or daughter, but some sense of loss, such as your freedom, your ability to control your time, and your independence. If you go through a very stressful period, it is as though your mind becomes more vulnerable and more fragile. Then, out of the clear blue, you have your first panic attack. If these panic attacks continue, then you will begin to fear places or situations in which you feel trapped or out of control. Airplanes can fit into that category, since you don't get to fly the plane and you don't get to get off whenever you want!
2 years ago I was offered a job in DC from my office in Toronto. I was flying down to Regan National for the "formal" interview. I also was going through a MAJOR family dispute that made me very upset....On the way to DC I started feeling very ill, like nausea and thinking "what am I doing?", I dont wanna move!!! I had to get up and go to the bathroom, undo my tie and take a few deep breaths...I was feeling ALOT of anxiety! Well anyway I did move...
Anyway ever since then I am really really scared of flying! I still fly but only very small trips. Whenever I am getting on small plane it freaks me out even more and I ALWAYS get seated at the back :fuming:!
On my last trip to London on business I was flying back and no matter what I did, no matter how much I drank..nothing helped and on top it there was soo much turbulance! On the way back I was praying to reach home safely and vowed that IF I made it back I would never get on another plane again :(! Well I did but now I avoid flying as much as I can..I cant talk to anyone on a flight, I cant watch movies and I can't relax:cry:! I just crash when I get home from all the adrenline flowing for the trip.. To top if all off not only do I have to go to the UK on business a few times a year but my inlaws live there as well! So even if I dont go I cant sleep all night until my wife gets there...
Soooo here I am trying to do something about it. I am reading anxieties.com and going through all your posts. I am scheduled to fly in about 3 weeks and already am fearing it! We are moving back to Toronto at the end of April and I just wish that I could move home before the flight...like others I am having other unfounded fears such as I may never get home to Toronto cause something could happen on the plane! I am really stressing myself out and I know alot of it is silly but these are real fears to me! The above from anxieties describes me exactly! B/C I am not in control and I cant see what happens or what the pilot is doing and that instills alot of fear...When planes fly overheard I am amazed how they stay up:shakehead! I am afraid of heights so that doesnt help! Actually I found that if I dont sit on the window it helps cause I cant see outside however the "control" issue comes back in! The other thing that I really got me scared is I saw one of the engines shaking on the way back from London...in my mind I can see it just falling off! I can"t see why it shakes?? Shouldnt it be on there solid??
I am even thinking about taking some "medication" to help me relax..I dont prefer too b/c I do feel that drugs are not the answer to deal with stress. Just not sure I have enough time to get my anxiety control.
Anyway sorry for the loooog post....any suggestions??
Happy and Safe Flying everyone!
M.