Flight in 18 days VERY SCARED - Taking Flight

Page1109 · #1 03-09-2010, 10:45 AM

As a child my parents always took me on flights, none that I can remember. Now as an adult married to someone who's family lives in a totally different state (CA, we live in TX) the time has come to fly to visit his family. I am sooo nervous. It doesn't help at all that I suffer from anxiety disorders also. Fearing this flight has caused me to lose sleep, and I don't exactly know what I'm scared of. Maybe it's the unknown or the simple fact that I will be in the air? Either way I'm looking for someone to help sort theses fears because either way the 27th will come soon and I will have to board that plane. Not to mention my 1 year old is joining us too, so I have to remain calm for his sake also. So anyone with advice as to how I can get through this flight and remain sane your advice is welcome.

bellevueace · #2 03-09-2010, 03:35 PM

Hi
Firstly visit www.anxieties.com where you will find a lot of useful information in the fight against anxiety and the fear of flying. I identyfied my particular fears about flying and then did some research into these worries by way of books and the net. Finding out all about aviation and how the aircraft stays airborne, the safety backups, flight crew training etc all helped to make me realise how irrational my thoughts were, using thought stopping techniques which are explained on the anxiety site i found was a good tool, the more you fly the easier it gets, i did 6 flights in 12 months then completed a 10 hour long haul flight with no problem so it can be beaten. A good book to read is flying without fear by Duane Brown, you can buy it off amazon. I too had certain anxiety issues similar to ocd where anxiety actually made me feel i had to do repeat actions or something untoward would happen, how i overcame this was by understanding that whatever i did i couldnt control future events, so i started not doing these rituals that ocd compel you to do, at first i found the anxiety was great but i was determined not to give in, then each time i ignored the anxiety i realised nothing actually happened, by continuing to ignore the anxiety issues i overcame the ocd and now its in the past. It can be hard to ignore strong feelings of anxiety but i found meeting it head on was the best option, the anxiety/ocd made flying difficult for me, since i resolved those issues flying has been a part of my holiday rather than a white knuckle ride to my destination. Beating anxiety fuelled compulsion has made a huge difference and meeting it head on is akin to going cold turkey but well worthwhile. Dont forget anxiety cant actually harm you in itself, dont allow it to continue its grip on you, find your own way of dealing with it and face it up, its well worth it. Good Luck.

Page1109 · #3 03-10-2010, 03:16 AM

Thank you for the advice. It was very helpful. All my issues always root back to my anxiety disorder. I think that I should seek help for that before I leave on my flight it would help out in a major way!

bellevueace · #4 03-10-2010, 05:46 PM

Yes it would the aircraft is just a target for the anxiety. Anxiety is like a continual cycle, to ease it you have to respond to it so it continues to have you in its grip. By not responding to it the anxiety rises but it cant actually harm you, being strong minded and ignoring what can be strong feelings isnt easy, but once you realise the anxiety is in most cases fuelled by irrationality its easier to overcome it. Thought stopping can help in this, the advice on anxieties.com can be used in any area of life not just flying.

MathFox · #5 03-10-2010, 09:28 PM

I guess someone has to say

to Page1109

Quote:

All my issues always root back to my anxiety disorder. I think that I should seek help for that before I leave on my flight it would help out in a major way!

I agree with bellevueace pointing you at the excellent anxieties.com website, but if you talk about fighting a more general anxiety disorder you might consider seeking professional help. We say that every fearful flyer is unique and everyone has his/her preferred and most effective ways of overcoming its fears. I know several people on this board that overcame their fears "on their own" and others that needed some help, do what is the best for you.
BTW, there is lots and lots of good information in the other treads on the board... and you are always welcome to ask specific questions, we're here to support you.