Friday Flight - Super Scared...

[Lizzkins]

I'm absolutely terrified of flying. I have flown at least 15 times, all good experiences, but yet when I get close to an airport I am traveling from I start to panic. I'm almost in tears tonight. I have a panic attack on almost every flight, and I have so much adrenaline in my veins by the time I get to my destination, that I am super sore and jet lagged. This will be the first time I have flown with my family instead of by myself. I keep telling them I'm really terrified and I need help, but since I'm 16 they just brush it off as more childhood nonsense... :cry:

[Barb-SAN]

Hi Lizzkins,:welcome2:

Welcome aboard! You've come to the right place, and will find many others here who have been where you are now (and some are still there).
I hope you will take some time to browse the boards and read some of the other posts. We also suggest that people check out www.anxieties.com (http://www.anxieties.com) for some guidance on dealing with panic attacks. There is also a section there on fear of flying.

Do you have any tactics you use when you feel the adrenaline starting to build up? (e.g. exercise, hot bath, yoga, breathing exercises, listen to music, read a good book, knit, etc).

Where are you flying on Friday? Have you tried tracking your flight? See our tracking forum for some ideas of how to do that.

It's interesting that you have had 15 good experiences flying. Do you have any idea why you are "terrified" of it? Have you considered consulting a therapist (or asking your parents to take you to one)?

[Lizzkins]

I listen to music whenever I feel stressed. When I listen to it flying, it usually soothes me to sleep, but I wake up whenever there is a small bump and start to panic again. The only real problem is that (at least on my last flight, almost a year ago), you can't listen to music during takeoff or landing. Those two rattle me more than anything else.

I'm flying from Albuquerque to Cincinnati, then I have a connecting flight to Syracuse.

The first plane is a 757, which is O.K. because it is a fairly large plane. The second is a CRJ700, which is a lot smaller and scares me quite a bit more. Well, a lot more.

I have only lived in New Mexico for a year, and last July was my first time flying out of ABQ. I guess you could call it my only "bad" experience. It was a really hot day, I was in a small plane, and we had horrible turbulence. I'm rather afraid of that happening again.:sigh:

The only reason I can even think of for my fear is that maybe I am claustrophobic. But I never have problems anywhere else but in airplanes. :confused:

[Barb-SAN]

I listen to music whenever I feel stressed. When I listen to it flying, it usually soothes me to sleep, but I wake up whenever there is a small bump and start to panic again. The only real problem is that (at least on my last flight, almost a year ago), you can't listen to music during takeoff or landing. Those two rattle me more than anything else.
O.K., good, you have a "tool" that you know works for you. And the fact that you can actually sleep on the plane is a VERY GOOD SIGN :thumbsup:

So, now the question is what to do for the few minutes that it takes for take-off and landing. Can you imagine your favorite music, and sing it TO YOURSELF (:lol:) during those times?

Someone on here mentioned playing music with a good fast beat during turbulence, and "dancing" in her seat to the bumps. Maybe that kept her from tensing up and becoming anxious....she was having more fun imagining herself on the dance floor.:cool:

I'm flying from Albuquerque to Cincinnati, then I have a connecting flight to Syracuse.

The first plane is a 757, which is O.K. because it is a fairly large plane. The second is a CRJ700, which is a lot smaller and scares me quite a bit more. Well, a lot more.

I have only lived in New Mexico for a year, and last July was my first time flying out of ABQ. I guess you could call it my only "bad" experience. It was a really hot day, I was in a small plane, and we had horrible turbulence. I'm rather afraid of that happening again.:sigh:

The only reason I can even think of for my fear is that maybe I am claustrophobic. But I never have problems anywhere else but in airplanes. :confused:

My suggestion would be to get a window seat, and bring along a digital camera, and take pictures. You will be flying over some beautiful areas (the Rocky Mountains). Also, looking out the window will ease feelings of claustrophobia, as it feels much more spacious when you are focusing outside of the plane. I find it interesting trying to figure out where we are, and if I can recognize any landmarks. You could even bring along a U.S. map and try to follow your route, especially if you have tracked it before, and know about where you will be flying.

As far as turbulence...just remember that it's like bumps in the road....the plane is designed to handle it, and keep right on flying. I also tend to get nervous in turbulence (maybe because I don't see it coming, and don't know how long it will last). What helps me is to consciously relax my muscles, especially my legs and arms, and then focus on my breathing...slow, regular breaths...no hyperventilating or holding the breath. Think about what you are saying to yourself too...keep it positive! e.g. "It's just turbulence, I can handle it, etc".

[Lizzkins]

Thanks so much! I think I will be okay now. Recently my friend went to Scotland... If he's fine after 13 plus hours in flight I'm pretty sure I can tough this one out... Thanks again. :D

[Barb-SAN]

You're most welcome. I hope you will take notes and write a trip report here after your flight. :D We love photos too!

Have you ever met the pilot on any of your flights? We have a "Meet the pilot" letter that you can print out and take with you (it's a "sticky" thread at the top of this forum).

Have a great flight! :)

[CAflyer]

Have a great flight. If you want I will track your flight if it is during the day when I am at work. Post your information in the flight tracking thread.

I get the feeling that even though nothing bad has happened you are just waiting for that one really bad time. Some people never have a bad flight and they fly a lot so stop waiting for one. I know that is what I do and I need to get better at stopping bad thoughts like that. You can do it!

[Lizzkins]

Okay, I'm putting my flight info in the tracking forum now. I won't have internet access for the time I am in Canada, but I will write about it when I get back next weekend.

[CAflyer]

I am tracking her right now.. looks like she might be in for some turbulence. Lets send her some good thoughts:hug: