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Original poster

Is there someone who can talk to me??

116 replies

WreckTangle111 · 16/08/2018 06:54

Here I am again...in the same place I was a year ago. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and am on medication. I have to fly today on a 11 hour flight (with a break) and I haven’t slept all night. I’m crying my eyes out...I have thrown up twice and just a wreck, I have a 4 yo dd who is very excited and I cannot ruin the trip for her. But I just feel like I cannot do this...

OP posts:
Original poster
WreckTangle111 · 16/08/2018 06:58

Anyone there?

OP posts:
mummmy2017 · 16/08/2018 07:00

Breath deep, and talk your self down.
You have done this before, you didn't crash, so you know you can do it.

mummmy2017 · 16/08/2018 07:03

Your just taking a big bus ride, and everyone else on the bus can do it, so can you.
The bus will have had all it's safety checks, and the driver does this journey many times a week..

AhAgain · 16/08/2018 07:06

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
WreckTangle111 · 16/08/2018 07:07

Thank you both for the responses...it’s just my mind is in a loop and I just keep hearing all the wrong things. The incident by the parliament on Wednesday has not helped either....

OP posts:
mummmy2017 · 16/08/2018 07:11

Ok, how many times has something happened on the plane your on... None.
How many times has someone shot at you. None.
You walk out your door and nothing happens...
You need to start looking at how safe you are, how lucky you are as a person.

tsonlyme · 16/08/2018 07:14
Original poster
WreckTangle111 · 16/08/2018 07:15

Thank you Ahagain. I was put in anti depressants two weeks back and they seem to have heightened my anxiety and sense of panic.

OP posts:
SadVillageGirl · 16/08/2018 07:22

My son is a pilot for a major airline and flies the biggest plane in the world. He's flying out of Heathrow today - ask me anything and I'll see if I can reassure you. I used to take anxiety meds for flying until he became a pilot and now I love it because I understand the mechanics of it all!

sashh · 16/08/2018 07:26

Hi

Sorry I'm late to the thread.

How about you and your dd make a story book of your adventure today. It doesn't have to be paper, it can be on your phone.

So picture of you both ready to go with luggage, pic at the airport and a little note about which airport it is.

How many different planes you see at the airport. What does your luggage look like in the scanner.

It will keep you both busy.

Original poster
WreckTangle111 · 16/08/2018 07:26

Mummmy2017 my rationale side if the brain does ask the question but it gets drowned. I feel so silly

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PrudenceDear · 16/08/2018 07:32

Is there a particular part of flying that worries you the most?

I worked as cabin crew and this is very common so please mention it to them as you board, they are usually great and reassuring you and keeping an eye out for you. Try not to relay your fears to your dd.

Try to immerse yourself into something, music, video, conversation would be best to take your mind of it a bit.
Have you any medication to help you through? If you’re uk based you’ll be able to buy rescue remedy or kalms at boots airside I’m sure. Might help take the edge off it.

Focus on being there, the plans and how you will reward yourself
Good luck, deep breaths, you’ve got this

inquiquotiokixul · 16/08/2018 07:46

Download some TV shows onto your phone. Although for an 11hr flight there will be a personal entertainment screen I am sure, I find it easier to shut out the rest of the universe on my phone screen. Obviously need earphones too. I fall to pieces during takeoff and landing and in turbulence but am usually OK with the "big bus" narrative. Comedy sketch shows work best.

mummmy2017 · 16/08/2018 07:49

Keep talking the anxiety side down.
Every time you worry over something. Think of how many people flew yesterday. Got on the plane and off the other end...
How many millions a week fly from the UK.
How many planes take off and land each hour, your so safe, it is just you that is worrying, and you know that, so look at the people as they walk by..
You might get an upgrade we did... Was lovely.
Can you buy a surprise for your child, and think about giving it too her once your airborne... Plan it in detail.

AhAgain · 16/08/2018 07:57

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

GloGirl · 16/08/2018 08:07

I had a medical procedure last year and was very worried about dying due to the anaesthetic.

Someone on Mumsnet told me I was much more likely to come to harm on the motorway journey there than the operation. It made so much sense. I drive a lot and never considered the dangers. If I could get to the hospital I could get through the operation.

If you can get to the airport you can feel safe Flowers

Original poster
WreckTangle111 · 16/08/2018 08:09

Thank you all for the responses, I just had a massive panic attack so had to go and stand in the garden to feel some fresh air. I don’t know this horrible voice inside me is so difficult to shut down

OP posts:
Original poster
WreckTangle111 · 16/08/2018 08:10

It’s difficult when people around you don’t really understand what you are going through. I have packed the games drawing etc to entertain my daughter. Downloaded music etc as well.

OP posts:
Original poster
WreckTangle111 · 16/08/2018 08:14

Every time I try to pack my bag I seem to get really anxious...I feel like a failure. Thank you all for taking time to respond.

OP posts:
BuddingGardener2017 · 16/08/2018 08:17

You said you've just started antidepressants - it's very common for them to make your mind more "busy" before they kick in and do what they are supposed to do. So this is a side effect of your medicine - don't stop taking them but just try to remember that these busy thoughts are not "real" in terms of coming from you, they are coming from the medicine.

Original poster
WreckTangle111 · 16/08/2018 08:24

Budding no these thoughts are not new. They started about 5-6 years back and have been debilitating.

OP posts:
Original poster
WreckTangle111 · 16/08/2018 08:26

Prudence would someone on the cabin crew be able to help me if I have a meltdown? It’s just that they all look so busy

OP posts:
Zoflorabore · 16/08/2018 08:30

Op I'm a terrible flier but last year I was determined to help myself and looked into hypnotherapy/mindfulness/meditation on YouTube.

Sounds crazy but I feel no worry about it anymore. Deep breathing on take off helps me, I close my eyes ( taking off is my trigger point I hated it ) and yy to telling cabin crew.

Every airline I've used have always been very understanding of nervous fliers. They are there to help you.
Think of the end result where you are going. Distract yourself in any way possible.

You can do it Flowers

mummymi · 16/08/2018 08:33

I am currently taking medication for severe anxiety, I had to go on a coach trip recently and an alarm started going off on the bus. I used the forehead stick that I had in my bag for headaches. It smells very strong and I was able to focus on that for a while instead of my worries.
I am also doing cbt for my anxiety, they suggest that you realise the worry and say to yourself that you are going to postpone it and think about it later. You then have half an hour worry time to go back over all the worries from the day and process them.

LionsTeeth · 16/08/2018 08:36

OP I completely know how you feel. Try to just think of it as sitting down for several hours. That's all you have to do. Just sit down and spend time with your DD. If you do have a meltdown or panic the cabin crew will be there to help you and nothing bad will happen. Thanks for you.