plane phobia

[Tony T]

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

 

So what you are saying is that you are in completely same place you were in before you started this thread as your attitude relates to flying?

[confused2007]

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.

 

 

Hey no prob. That's why I'm letting loose on here. I didn't think it was a manly thing to inherit these characteristics, but I can't help it.

 

As far as elevators, it's not so bad if I go up 1 or 2 stories, but anymore, yes the anxiety kicks in.

[whichwayisup]

Especially the totally freaked out part.

 

I can relate to this too. Being an anxiety person, I think all those who have suffered anxiety and panic attacks CAN see the humour in the totally freaking out as we've all had those attacks, whether it be alone, in public or whereever. One thing about anxiety, you gotta be able to laugh and see at times HOW funny the attacks can be. As my H always says, anything to help you get through an attack (legally anyway!) is a good thing!

[whichwayisup]

Confused, what happens to you when you feel the anxiety starting? What goes through your head and what are you physical symptoms?

 

Also, do you have something, whether it be a mint, or drinking a gingerale, that makes you feel better during an attack? Usually people who have attacks, always carry something that is comforting that can help them through it...

[confused2007]

So what you are saying is that you are in completely same place you were in before you started this thread as your attitude relates to flying?

 

No, I don't have the same attitude about it.

 

Yes I'm still nervous about flying, but with the words of encouragement and advice from you'll, I'll introduce it with a different perspective.

[Trialbyfire]

I once flew with a friend who was desperately afraid of flying. During takeoff, she gripped my arm so hard that to this day, I can probably still lift a set of finger prints off of it.

 

I made her laugh throughout the flight and it seemed to help her a lot because there was no death grip, on the descent and landing. I don't know if you have someone who could distract you too.

[polywog]

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.

 

I am pretty much over my panic attacks, WWIU. Thank god.

 

BTW,Confused and other panickers; It turns out that that tendency runs in families, my mother had them when she was in college, and she told me this when I was having them. She's the one who hooked me up with the therapist, who was Free because she was a grad student in the college in my town.

 

I've had so many friends, both male and female, who have suffered from panic attacks. All sort of people, it doesn't seem to discriminate. People who've never had them don't understand, but those of us who have... we just Know!

 

There's a wondeful short story by the great author John Cheever (who suffered from panic attacks), "The Angel of the Bridge" that's about this. It's in his collected stories, probably available at most libraries, and a great read for anyone who has gone through panic attacks.

[confused2007]

Confused, what happens to you when you feel the anxiety starting? What goes through your head and what are you physical symptoms?

 

Also, do you have something, whether it be a mint, or drinking a gingerale, that makes you feel better during an attack? Usually people who have attacks, always carry something that is comforting that can help them through it...

 

When the anxiety starts, I start sweating, my heart races, I feel this "out of connection" with reality, I feel like I'm having a heart attack, and I always have a phone in my hand ready to dial 911. It's pretty bad.

 

I have another phobia - being afraid of death. A lot of the time if I feel a little strange I keep checking my pulse thinking I'm going to die soon. Ahhh I'm all messed up.

 

As far as having something that's comforting, I don't have anything.

[whichwayisup]

That's dissociation, that unreal not feeling real feeling, detached almost. Hard to describe, but I know what you're talking about.

 

You gotta breathe through the attacks, and tell yourself that you WILL be okay. Close your eyes and just find a place in your head that is peaceful, and safe.

 

Have you ever done yoga? That helps alot! Even afew mins of meditation can help too. Try it!

 

Did someone close to you die recently? My fear is something happening to someone I love, espeically my husband...

[directx]

I think its totally normal to be afraid of flying. Think about it: its not natural to be at 30000 feet in a metal cylindar.

 

But yeah, I replay the odds in my head, and its not entirely like driving where any idiot can get a license.

 

Someone mentioned taking flying lessons. That could probably help

I remember being at an air show and we got to walk on the plane and the cockpit.

I swear, once I was in the cockpit I felt I could fly the thing. It was weird I found it so soothing.

 

I dont like flying, but I just did recently for work and I feel much better about it.

I brought my DS to play a game (though I should probably have left 'Bomberman' at home)

[Star Gazer]

I once flew with a friend who was desperately afraid of flying. During takeoff, she gripped my arm so hard that to this day, I can probably still lift a set of finger prints off of it.

 

I made her laugh throughout the flight and it seemed to help her a lot because there was no death grip, on the descent and landing. I don't know if you have someone who could distract you too.

 

Are we friends IRL?

 

I'm just like your friend. I need a distraction. I'm not as bad as Confused, I don't think, but I do have moments where I almost "totally freak out." I have to have a window seat, and I have to watch the ground through takeoff and landing. Midflight I'm at peace, unless there's turbulance and we're over Greenland or some other desolate region. Thing is, I don't think my anxiety shows on the outside. I appear perfectly calm and at peace, although perhaps a little serious and disinterested in minor chit chat with strangers.

 

I've been on a plane at least 100 times, and now fly about once a month for business or pleasure. It gets a little bit easier each time. I really do think it's one of those confront-your-fears things. Ambien, Percocet, and Valium work wonders too.

[confused2007]

That's dissociation, that unreal not feeling real feeling, detached almost. Hard to describe, but I know what you're talking about.

 

You gotta breathe through the attacks, and tell yourself that you WILL be okay. Close your eyes and just find a place in your head that is peaceful, and safe.

 

Have you ever done yoga? That helps alot! Even afew mins of meditation can help too. Try it!

 

Did someone close to you die recently? My fear is something happening to someone I love, espeically my husband...

 

Ya, I manage to get through them now. It's just stressful not knowing when they'll come out.

 

Never done yoga, and I'm def out of shape. Maybe I'll look into it.

 

Noone died. I'm getting over a breakup about 2 weeks ago with someone I was with for a couple years, but I had them before her, so that can't be it. I don't want to get into that anyway.

 

I think a lot of it has to do with the pressure I put on myself. Stress probably.

[Star Gazer]

Also, I have found that detailed physics-based explanations of how planes work and fly and allathat jazz to only upset me even more. I literally just have to pretend it's "magic" and remind myself it's safer than driving on California freeways with the road rage psychopaths.

[confused2007]

But are the statistics reliable? Think about it, if there were as many planes in the sky as vehicles on the road, I think the stats would point to the latter as being safer. Many people people survive car accidents, but not plane accidents. I know there are exceptions, but I'm speaking for the majority.

 

I find it hard to rely on the stats for this reason.

[Trialbyfire]

Are we friends IRL?

 

I'm just like your friend. I need a distraction. I'm not as bad as Confused, I don't think, but I do have moments where I almost "totally freak out." I have to have a window seat, and I have to watch the ground through takeoff and landing. Midflight I'm at peace, unless there's turbulance and we're over Greenland or some other desolate region. Thing is, I don't think my anxiety shows on the outside. I appear perfectly calm and at peace, although perhaps a little serious and disinterested in minor chit chat with strangers.

 

I've been on a plane at least 100 times, and now fly about once a month for business or pleasure. It gets a little bit easier each time. I really do think it's one of those confront-your-fears things. Ambien, Percocet, and Valium work wonders too.

Haha..maybe so.

 

Surprisingly, after that flight she was able to fly more often in a more relaxed manner. This of course didn't mean she didn't seek solace at the bottom of a bottle.

[directx]

Also, I have found that detailed physics-based explanations of how planes work and fly and allathat jazz to only upset me even more. I literally just have to pretend it's "magic" and remind myself it's safer than driving on California freeways with the road rage psychopaths.

 

dang. I was hoping you would say the detail physics would convince you it was safe. Thats a bummer!

[Star Gazer]

dang. I was hoping you would say the detail physics would convince you it was safe. Thats a bummer!

 

Nah, not for me. Knowing how it works means knowing everything that could go wrong. I prefer the "Oooh it's magic! Lookee, humans in the air!!" concept.

[whichwayisup]

But are the statistics reliable? Think about it, if there were as many planes in the sky as vehicles on the road, I think the stats would point to the latter as being safer. Many people people survive car accidents, but not plane accidents. I know there are exceptions, but I'm speaking for the majority.

 

I find it hard to rely on the stats for this reason.

 

It's not being in control that is hard and sets the anxiety off. Being in the air, you have NO control over what happens, and sure, there are alot more car accidents than plane crashes and you're right, many survive car crashes but with the plane??? yeah, different story.

 

Whatever is going to happen will happen whether you like it or not.

[monkey00]

I dont think any of you watching LOST will help cure the phobia

 

Anyway a few months ago I saw a Dateline documentary on people's fears and how this therapist helped a woman get over her fear of flying/being on a plane. Aside from flying, statistics show that the most dangerous part of the trip isnt the plane ride itself - rather it is the car ride to the airport.

 

Back to the therapist, he told the girl to continously repeat to herself vocally "I'm going to crash/the plane is going to crash." I forgot how many times for how long she did it for, but in the end she got over it. it doesnt just work with planes but other fears also.

 

Im not exactly sure how it works, but I assume it has to do with coming to terms of the reality that sh#t happens and its out of our control, and to accept that fact.

[whichwayisup]

Ya, I manage to get through them now. It's just stressful not knowing when they'll come out.

 

Never done yoga, and I'm def out of shape. Maybe I'll look into it.

 

Noone died. I'm getting over a breakup about 2 weeks ago with someone I was with for a couple years, but I had them before her, so that can't be it. I don't want to get into that anyway.

 

I think a lot of it has to do with the pressure I put on myself. Stress probably.

 

I know what you mean. And I'm sure some of the anxiety you're feeling is about your recent breakup.

 

Try the yoga, buy a beginners tape or DVD, they're only about 20 mins long, and once you start, you WILL feel different. Not only your body, but your mind too. Great stress reliever too.

[CaliGuy]

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

 

 

I used to be afraid of flying. It wasn't flying itself, it was the fear of death. I no longer fear death. If it comes, I will welcome it.

 

I'm flying to Florida in the AM for a weeks vacation. If I don't come back, don't shed a tear. Be glad for me

[amerikajin]

I went through about a 5 year period when I had an intense fear of flying. But my desire for traveling forced me to overcome it, and it seemed like the more I did it, the less I feared flying.

 

I think that it's usually a fear of not being in control, wanting to control your own destiny. Flying makes it pretty obvious that we're not in control of our own safety, in a way that riding on a bus or train doesn't.

 

One thing that's really worked for me in recent years is to log on to a flight tracker web site and watch your own flight go back and forth all over the map for a few days. When you see that it's made it without a problem again and again, it makes me feel assured that my flight's routine and that I shouldn't worry.

 

If the unthinkable happens, it happens. But that can come in many different forms. For some, it just happens to be on a plane.