Fear of Flying?

Thanks for sharing!! I was actualyl hoping to hear from a flight attendant or pilot over the next few months! It helps to hear the others perspective, and see how you enjoy flying!

I NEED movies or tv shows playing to distract me - once they turn the movie off, I'm done...and start panicking about every sound that I hear. It also terrifies me when the pilot comes on and says "have a seat" because I feel like if HE is saying something, it must be really bad.

 

Thank you for sharing -- any other inside info you could give would be very helpful. I've looked at lot at that website that shows "youtube" videos of planes taking off and landing - but it still makes me really anxious. I just hope I don't have another panic attack on the way there.

FutureMrsMoulton - thank you so much for chiming in here! I will be sure to read your response to my FI - it should help a little hearing from someone who flies for a living! Thank you so much!

Im not a huge fan of pills but I have to take xanax when I fly. I take the smallest dosage and im ready to go!

I read somewhere that this type of fear has a habit of peaking while we're in our twenties. I found that to be a weird tidbit of information.

 

However, I am a pretty bad flyer which makes my choice of Hawaii somewhat silly. So, with that said, I appreciate the advice.

 

What I do on a plane when I start getting myself worked up and nervous is to force myself to look around at other passengers and particularly the flight attendants. Sometimes it's calming just to see that your panic is not being shared by others.

I've divided here because FI totally hates flying - he doesn't like the way it makes his body feel, he doesn't like being confined to a closed space etc... he usually drinks to calm his nerves when we fly. I, on the other hand, completely love flying. I probably should be a flight attendant! However, I have mild anxiety issues over other things and always keep a bottle ofRescue Remedy nearby. Oddly enough it was originally recommended to me to give my dog to calm her down for flying, but I know it has a wide variety of applications for calming and relaxation. The bottles are around $10 maybe so it's a relatively inexpensive aid which may be worthwhile.

I had to re-read all of the tips now that I am 5 weeks away from flying! I went to see a counsellor twice, and she gave me breathing tips to do - but it actually just helped to talk to her about it. Once you say things out loud, you can naturally talk yourself out of them.

 

I'm not sure how I will be on the flight, but I do plan on taking pills for anti-anxiety and I am also hoping that having everyone around me will be a distraction.

 

Has anyone flown since reading this thread?

I have! We got back from Paris 2 days before the volcano erupted in Iceland last month.

I found that liquor helped me to relax and sleep during our 10 hour flight. Best of luck - you will do great!

Last yr when we went to MX we flew and it had been my first time since a baby.. I was VERY nervous! Take off and landing are the worst parts but last less than 5 min's (i think).

I just closed my eyes, took deep breathes in and out, tried hard not to scream and cry, prayed, and all was well.

 

Although, I did shed a few tears at take off.

Agreed!
I've never been a very good flier but was pretty good for a few years. In December my FI and our families went to Cuba for Christmas and experienced a drop... like my butt was out of the seat! Now I'm not a very big girl and i might be exaggerating a little but I had a small panic attack and we made none the less. Well that experience really messed with me... My FI and I went to Hawaii last month and i was a nevous wreck! However a friend told me about Rescue Remedy so I tried it. It was super helpful and I was happy about not having to medicate myself cause I'm pretty sure that would freak me out even more! I would definitely recommend it to anyone... that and flying West Jet... the attendants were WONDERFUL!

Hi sungoddess!

I have been completely terrified of flying my whole life, so the destination wedding and the fact that I have to fly worries me too. My doctor perscribed me Ativan last time I flew, and it took the anxiety away mostly but it upset my stomache and made the motion sickness more aparent...so if you're prone to being nauseous I'd be careful as Ativan is what they generally give people that need something for flying from what I've seen. Like previous posters have said, put music on your iPod and just listen to that. I find that helps calm me down alot too, and I know it's easier said then done but just having the mindset of "It's out of my control now, the pilot knows what he is doing and we will be fine." lol! Best of luck to you:)!

 

Rae<3