Please help me. I am at the airport but not sure I can actually get on the plane

[friendinwoe]

Full fight or flight panic mode.
Flown before but anxiety is Much worse
Tablets not helped
I am near enough to go home (which isn't helping) but have elderly parent and sn child with me so we would all have to go home.
I could have gone on the ferry but everyone else wanted to fly and its 'only a short time you will be fine' only I'm not.

[Thequilltosurvive]

Deep breaths. You're safer on a plane than pretty much any other transport. Tell the staff when you get on that you're a nervous flyer and they'll look after you. Have a gin?? You will be fine.

[HonniBee]

What does the panic feel like? can you feel the anxiety physically?

It helps me to feel the anxiety and notice what it's doing to my physically. It's okay to feel anxious, and it will pass.

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Breathe. In for 9 out for 11. Focus on the breaths moment to moment for a minute or two, preferably without the others needing your attention.

[davos]

Take a deep breath. A few deep breaths.

I can't really help you as I am terrified of flying either. One year I actually yelled 'stop the plane' as it left the ground.

Tablets don't help me either. A baileys does, but that might not be a good idea if you are the only adult in charge.

I kind of zone out. Don't let my brain think I am getting on a plane. Don't acknowledge it. Just keep thinking about what's my next job. Get bags put away, settle kids, read kindle, read in flight mag. Until it's to late to do anything about it.

I am sorry I am no help but wanted to let you know you are not alone. Hope you are ok

[PageStillNotFound404]

You can do this OP.

How long before your flight is called? Do you have headphones with you or can you buy some? Take a few minutes out and listen to a mindfulness podcast or a guided meditation, just to take the edge of your anxiety? (Assuming parent can look after DC while your focus is elsewhere.)

But you can do this. Really, all you have to do is walk up some steps and sit down. That's it. You can do it.

[DinosaursRoar]

I am also not a good flyer, although not that bad. I am terrified of other things I've had to do and have focusd on each step, not the whole, so you need to get everyone to the right gate. Has everyone been to the loo and got snacks? Get to your Seats, stow bags, seatbelts, read, then I do zone out of things that really stress me.

[flumpybear]

I'm not good at flying either - I usually have alcohol but I guess it's a bit early for that!!

Do you happen to take propranolol!? Take one if you do

[hormental]

Definitely do the breathing exercises suggested on here. You can do it! Think about that sense of achievement you will feel afterwards

[Chottie]

Tell the stewards when you get on the plane and they will keep an eye on you.

[Mommawoo]

This works for me when Im about to go into full panic mode

www.emofree.com/eft-tutorial/tapping-basics/how-to-do-eft.html

[Jubaloo442]

What time is the flight? A friend who is a very nervous flyer found that colouring in was helpful - she had to focus on keeping it neat, choosing colours etc instead of what she thought might happen. Get thee to WH Smith if time for a colouring book and a pack of pens.

You can do it.

[blueteatowel]

When I was a child and I had to do something scary I'd remind myself that it wasn't going to last forever. I'd set targets such as 'in 1hr I'll be halfway through ect and by x o'clock it will be over'. I still use the technique now for things like job interviews.

I don't particularly like flying but can see it as a means to an end. It is likely that the more you do it the more tolerable it will become. Remember, the whole point is to get to your destination. Think about why you are going there and hold on to that. The flight will end; keep reminding yourself of that.

I hope that you can do it and remember to congratulate yourself for your achievement when you land.

[UnderTheGreenwoodTree]

OP, look to the staff in the airport and to the stewardesses on the plane. It's just a normal day's work for then - an everyday thing. Watch them, tell them you're an anxious flyer. And deep breaths.

I really hate flying and this helps.

[donajimena]

I'm like you but I do force myself to fly. I always tell the cabin crew. They are always wonderful. Please tell them.

[ChunkyHare]

I look it at it from the point of view of the flight is the way to get to the destination, just like labour is the way to hold the baby in your arms.

I hate flying but manage 9 hour flights because it gets me to America.

Just keep thinking about the destination. But do tell staff you are anxious.

[Julius02]

I get very anxious and even if I don't take tablets I have to have them with me or can't get on the plane.

One doctor gave me a tip that really helps - look around you at all the hundreds of people in the airport going about their business - holidaymakers getting ready to fly, air crew getting ready for their next flight etc. If all of those people are OK about doing it then it must be fine - they don't have a problem so neither should you. All of them will get on a plane and be fine, and the same will happen tomorrow and the day after etc. Try and focus on that positive thought and not negative thoughts.

Good luck and have a good trip!

[Patterkiller]

Breathe out for as long as you can then breathe normally, then repeat. It's a technique a counsellor once taught me.

Deep Breathing in only fueled my adrenalin and made me worse.

For the future try one of the hypnotherapy apps. I use on a few weeks daily before I fly and it has helped enormously.

And yes tell the air stewards. And watch their calmness.

[RosieandJim89]

statistically more people die by falling over in the shower and hitting their heads than on planes.
You take much bigger risks every day.
You can do this!

[fiorentina]

Definitely focus on the destination, keep breathing and drinking water. Tell the crew, I saw an amazing easyjet team member talking a passenger through their fears on a flight recently and she was fine. I used to hate flying but as I have to travel with work I had to face my fears and go for it. Now I find it tolerable. I take Rescue Remedy from Boots, it may be a placebo effect but I find it really helps and that's all that matters
To me. Good luck.

[ChrissieS79]

If you're still reading, speak to staff. My mother had a panic attack a free yrs ago and stewards were really good

[99GBPChargeToUseMyPostsJournos]

There's usually between 6 and 10 thousand aeroplanes in the sky at any one time.

An air accident is big news. How many do you hear of?

www.flightradar24.com/52.39,0.28/7

[Skittlesss]

You can do this it's safe and you would be more at risk if you left the airport to go home than you will be actually going on the aeroplane.

Take it a bit at a time. Break it down into little parts/goals and before you know if you will have done it.

I presume you're through security now.
First focus on getting through the wait to be called to your gate. Do it half hour at a time if it's long.
Then the queue to get on.
Then the wait to set off.
Then enjoy because it really wasn't as bad as you thought at all :)

[Mrscaindingle]

If you have your phone with you there is a free ap you can download called Don't Panic which is full of tips to help with panic attacks and anxiety.

If nothing else it will give you something else to do and focus on which is a good strategy for anxiety too.

You can do it!

[bakeoffcake]

My sister and niece are both cabin crew. They go on planes and fly about every single work day.
Do tell the crew and they will look after you.
You will be ok OP.
Do you have something to do to distract you?