plane phobia

[confused2007]

That's right I'm scared of riding on a plane. I want to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I want to experience the Red Light District in Amsterdam. I want to surf the waters of Australia. I want, I want, I want ....to travel.

 

But, I can't! I've only been on a plane ride twice...and OMFG! I thought it was the last of me. I almost went insane and lost control.

 

I know statistically it's safer to be on a plane than behind a vehicle, but it doesn't help. There's rarely a "safe crash" in a plane ride. Being up in the sky and looking down FREAKS ME OUT!

 

Why am I like this? Is this a deep control issue? Does everyone experience this or do some find enjoyment out of it?

 

Everything I want to see, I can't because I'm a scarred little wimp when I get on a plane.

 

Any insight is much appreciated

[ConfusedButLoved]

I try to confront my fears. I was arachnophobic (sp?) until I lived in southern Cali where the climate is perfect for the little critters and they are EVERYWHERE! I freaked out so much I was in tears until finally I was just forced to live with them. I still am deathly afraid of them, but learned to live with them without freaking out so bad. I am also afraid of heights and so I want to go skydiving. I feel like if I confront my fears and phobias then I will no longer have anything to be afraid of.

 

As for a suggestion.. hmm... take a train?

[Tony T]

Fear of taking to the friendly skies is very common. A LOT of people won't even go to the airport. This is a phobia and its origins vary. Some people have to be in control. The ultimate lack of control over one's life is entrusting it totally to a stranger who's going to take you 35,000 feet above earth for some distance.

 

Many people who do fly aren't real keen on it bit there are some people who absolutely LOVE to fly. Don't ever feel alone in this fear. Fear of flying is treatable. Go here for some information: http://www.guidetopsychology.com/fearfly.htm

 

If you enter "fear of flying" in Google, you will find a number of sites that actually offer online treatment. A good local therapist can probably go a long way to helping you as well. It would be my guess that this isn't your only phobia issue...and that it most likely stems from issues in your distant past when you found yourself totally in the control of others or a particular situation.

 

There is hope. Hang in there.

[norajane]

I have flown nearly a million air miles over the last 7 years. I certainly don't love it, but I have zero fear of it and never did. What I feel on a plane is mostly...utter boredom. Or exhaustion, depending on how much sleep I've had in whatever time zone I happened to be flying from. It's pure, utter, blah. It's honestly no different to me than a big bus or something, only far more irritating in many respects (the asinine airport security rules to name one, and that's before I even get on the plane ).

 

What you have is a phobia. It has very little basis on rationality or reason, nor can you be reasoned out of it through logic. Some people with plane phobias are able to fly by taking a Valium (to relax) or Ambien (to sleep). Some might drink, but I would definitely not recommend that. One drink at 30,000 feet has a much greater impact on you than on the ground. Plus, you get so dehydrated up there. Drink lots of water.

 

I think the most success people have had in overcoming this phobia is with therapy and hypnosis by a licensed professional who knows what they're doing.

 

Go get some help - don't miss out on the wonders of the world for this phobia. Let your passion for travel overcome your fear of planes (big aluminum buses, really).

 

Oh, and don't get a window seat - that way you won't be able to look down, which should minimize some of your fears, at least. In fact, bring an eye mask and ear plugs (or headphones). And if you can, make your first flight overseas in business or first class - it's a whooooole different experience up there and you won't even realize you're on a plane. The back of the plane tends to be the most noisy.

[allina]

Many many people are afraid to fly, just see a doc before your trip, he can get you a small Rx for a sedative that will take the edge off.

 

I have flown a ton in my life, all over the world and have never been afraid of flying. When I was 19 I started to have panic attacks, nothing too serious just anxiety attacks, they were triggered by small, cramped places and situations where I couldn't just get up and exit.

 

I believe the anxiety was nothing major in my life and was caused by stress and transitioning in to a more adult like. The panic attacks have passed with no outside help. The only thing that stayed is this weird fear of being trapped and not being able to leave if I need to.

 

I know this sounds crazy but I have this HUGE fear of getting sick and puking on an air plane. Now I don't get air sick, car sick, any of that and never have yet I panic about getting sick on the plane. This causes me to panic and actually feel sick, then panic even more.

 

So I suppose the point of this embarrassing ramble is that tons of people have flying related issues but do not let them hold you back. If you really need to take an ativan before your flight, once you take that first flight your fear might even diminish.

[confused2007]

Thanks for all the insight peeps. I'm going to confront my fears and learn how to get over this. I will enjoy life!

[ConfusedButLoved]

Thanks for all the insight peeps. I'm going to confront my fears and learn how to get over this. I will enjoy life!

 

 

Yay! Thats the attitude!!!

[confused2007]

Many many people are afraid to fly, just see a doc before your trip, he can get you a small Rx for a sedative that will take the edge off.

 

I have flown a ton in my life, all over the world and have never been afraid of flying. When I was 19 I started to have panic attacks, nothing too serious just anxiety attacks, they were triggered by small, cramped places and situations where I couldn't just get up and exit.

 

I believe the anxiety was nothing major in my life and was caused by stress and transitioning in to a more adult like. The panic attacks have passed with no outside help. The only thing that stayed is this weird fear of being trapped and not being able to leave if I need to.

 

 

I think you just described my self to a T. At 19, I also started having panic attacks triggered by tight and cramped spaces. Especially when I sit in a college lecture and the professor closes the door. Strange, but true. I "think" they're starting to get better, but it was out of control for a while. Extremely embaressing as well.

 

As far as flying though, I had that fear before the panic attacks began. I'm probably guessing it's a control issue with me.

 

It's good to know my feelings are not alone.

[EricOnTheWeb]

Hmmmm,a flying thread,lol... Just get on there and think to yourself..."If the motors quit,this thing will still glide"

 

Did you know...that a 747 jumbo jet can fly just perfectly with only one engine running? They have double backup systems for everything...

 

If you wanna kick this fear...take flying lessons!....Nothing like going up 3,000 feet in a single motor prop plane, turn off the motor and just hear the air flow by as you go into a stall and kick the rudder hard right for a nice power off spiral back to the ground!

 

Seriously...try it out!/

[allina]

Especially when I sit in a college lecture and the professor closes the door.

 

I had them in those situations too! I felt like I couldn't just exit, it made me so anxious. I have no idea why but it did.

[confused2007]

I'm still trying to figure out how to quote a reply, so my last post looks a lil funny. The first half is allina's quote and the second half my post.

 

Anyway, I didn't know they have backup everything on planes. That's a good start.

 

The flying lessons also sound like a good idea. Thanks

[EricOnTheWeb]

I'm still trying to figure out how to quote a reply, so my last post looks a lil funny. The first half is allina's quote and the second half my post.

 

Anyway, I didn't know they have backup everything on planes. That's a good start.

 

The flying lessons also sound like a good idea. Thanks

 

 

No problem,and if you learn how an airplane works and flies through the air,you'll think...damn..these things are pretty stable.. Yeah take a lesson or two and you'll be hooked!...good luck!

[EricOnTheWeb]

BTW if you have a question about taking lessons,just ask...I'll give you answers...

[Totoro]

Any insight is much appreciated

 

 

One word: Alcohol.

 

Speaking from experience...

[kimba]

I'm get scared being on a plane when it is over the ocean. I get very freaked out. this doesn't make sense because really you'd have a harder crash plowing into a field.... its the water. I look out at it and .... really i can't even look.

 

I also get very scared with turbulence. this is because once when i was flying back from the uk to australia the plane got caught in some bad turbulence and all the knives and forks were flying out from the kitchen into the aisle, and people were throwing up and kids were screaming.... the ironic thing was they stuck a video on of Mr Bean and it was so ironic- i thought - gee i'm going to die watching Mr Bean. A comedy.

 

For me i think it is a control thing. But really, we have no control over how and when we die anyway....

 

i sit there and try and concentrate on a magazine or something. But i do understand your fear. The thing is that the fear is totally in your head and has nothing to do with the actual probability of crashing. (this is what i tell myself when i'm on a plane).

 

i think that the more you get on a plane , the less your fears will become.

[alphamale]

Everything I want to see, I can't because I'm a scarred little wimp when I get on a plane.

 

Any insight is much appreciated

Go see your Dr. and they can prescribe you some drugs like Valium or Xanax that will make you feel totally awesome and relaxed. On that shyt you'll be able to fly a plane by yourself around the world

 

I've been flying since i was an infant and never had a problem until 5 or 6 yrs ago. Now i'm scared as **** to fly, haven't been on one since 9/11

[whichwayisup]

Thanks for all the insight peeps. I'm going to confront my fears and learn how to get over this. I will enjoy life!

 

Google Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. This type of therapy helps those with anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, etc... Definately look into it because you'll learn how to control the anxiety, and face the fear by slowly doing exposure therapy with the help of the therapist.

[alphamale]

Google Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

CBT ain't gonna help when youre at 40,000 feet and trapped in a metal tube going 500mph and you have no way to get out.

 

there are many documented cases of people with anxiety or other mental disorders who totally freaked out on airplanes and they had to make an emergency landing.

[whichwayisup]

Uhmm, I mean if she does CBT BEFORE she goes off flying. She has to get the thoughts and fears under control, understand them, learn how to breathe through the attacks and visualize...

[confused2007]

Look I know I'm a wimp already for feeling this way, but you didn't have to call me a female. I'm a he, not a she.

 

Maybe I came off a little dramatic....?

[alphamale]

Uhmm, I mean if she does CBT BEFORE she goes off flying. She has to get the thoughts and fears under control, understand them, learn how to breathe through the attacks and visualize...

hows about we compromise and recommend CBT and the drugs together?

[Tony T]

CBT ain't gonna help when youre at 40,000 feet and trapped in a metal tube going 500mph and you have no way to get out.

 

there are many documented cases of people with anxiety or other mental disorders who totally freaked out on airplanes and they had to make an emergency landing.

 

It is always great to know you will stop by with some truly encouraging words. I think you could have put this a little more softly given the nature of this thread...conveyed the same message....without sort of undoing what we've been trying to accomplish here for this person.

[confused2007]

No worries Tony. I actually found it quite humorous. Especially the totally freaked out part.

[polywog]

I have flown a ton in my life, all over the world and have never been afraid of flying. When I was 19 I started to have panic attacks, nothing too serious just anxiety attacks, they were triggered by small, cramped places and situations where I couldn't just get up and exit.

 

I believe the anxiety was nothing major in my life and was caused by stress and transitioning in to a more adult like. The panic attacks have passed with no outside help. The only thing that stayed is this weird fear of being trapped and not being able to leave if I need to.

 

 

I think you just described my self to a T. At 19, I also started having panic attacks triggered by tight and cramped spaces. Especially when I sit in a college lecture and the professor closes the door. Strange, but true. I "think" they're starting to get better, but it was out of control for a while. Extremely embaressing as well.

 

As far as flying though, I had that fear before the panic attacks began. I'm probably guessing it's a control issue with me.

 

It's good to know my feelings are not alone.

 

I completely understand this. I had panic attacks off and on for years which sound exactly like yours. Even the whole thing of panicking in a classroom when the door was closed. Arrrrgh:eek:!! During this time, I flew a lot and had the awful panic feeling of being shut in the plane, which seemed to dissipate, thank god, during the flight when I watched the beautiful scenery and resigned myself to my fate. Also had the feeling on elevators, subways, busses, crowded theaters, etc. Awful.

 

Google Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. This type of therapy helps those with anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, etc... Definately look into it because you'll learn how to control the anxiety, and face the fear by slowly doing exposure therapy with the help of the therapist.

 

Great advice, the best. This is what helped me, at least I think it was a CBT tecnique. The first time I saw a therapist about my panic, she had me go into an elevator and told me to give myself permission to totally have a full blown panic attack, not to try to stop it. I did, and I didn't die. I didn't even hyperventilate or pass out or have a heart attack. I panicked, and then it just subsided. We rode up and down the elevator several times, and she had her colleagues enter on different floors to mimic real life situations. It really got me over that hump.

 

The other helpful thing she told me was that the physical sensations we have when we panic are exactly the same as the sensations we have when we are thrilled and excited, for example when we anticipate seeing someone we can't wait to see, or the feelings we had as kids when we ran into the room at Christmas to open our presents. It's all adrenaline, but we assign different emotions to it. Hope this helps.

[whichwayisup]

Are you able to go into an elevator by yourself? See, I hate elevators as well, but every now and then I MAKE myself go into one, but not alone.

 

Good for you for facing the fear! I understand clausterphobia completely, and all the anxiety that goes with it. It's not as bad as it used to be, but it also depends on the day.

 

Great advice too PW about the physical side of the attacks! They can be really scary, but noone dies of panic attacks...Even though at times you feel like you might. The key is not being afraid of the attacks, and not letting it control you.

 

Confused, sorry, I don't know why I assumed you were female. Many men have anxiety and fears too.