terrified of flying!

[namechange01Z]

sorry to post here for traffic but am in such a state. I thought in a stupid moment of confidence that it would be great to take my dd age 15 on holiday at easter. However i have a huge fear of flying due to severe health anxiety,general anxiety disorder and hypochondria! i have had treat,ent which keeps it at a manageable low level and thought i could do this but ever since i booked it 2 weeks ago im obsessing! My main fear is the health anxiety which is telling me cabin pressure wil gve me a heart attack [my main fear]. Ive convinced myself i have high blood pressure as i get white coat syndrome and this will cause the heart attack or stroke.
I also mildly woryy about terror threats etc but i suppose its all linked to the fear of dying.
I really want to enjoy this experience with my daughter and be present. my husband has always distracted her before but i dont want her to become afraid or remember be being a nervous wreck!! I cant afford a fear of flying course as our trip is soon.
Any help much appreciated.

Go to your gp to get a mild sedative for the flight. You will be just fine and you will NOT have a heart attack.

Ask dr for a small dose of something like Valium. Enough to make you calm and a bit drowsy but not enough to knock you out. You could always practice at home a week before to make sure the dosage is correct.

Why not research your fears to rationalise them?

Blood pressure is a matter of fact. You can check it and dispel that concern.
Canon pressure does not cause heart attacks. There's no link there at all.
Terror attacks are incredibly rare, and more likely to happen in a city centre or, well, anywhere but a plane.

If you research these things yourself you can at least minimise your fears without resorting to drugs!

my friend suggested herbal stuff like kalms. Would it work? I am worried about not being capable if i take a sedative when we get the other end as its only 2 hours. Never taken them before though so not unhappy to do whatever would help

If you do take Valium the doctor could tell you the correct dosage to just keep you calm (might just be quarter of a tablet or something).
Things like Kalms and rescue remedy etc are ok but probably not going to do much for severe anxiety.

Get the tranquilisers from your gp. Herbal stuff won't be enough. Take it 2 hours before.

I have researched it and common sense tells me risks are low etc. If i check my blood pressure i can almost see the anxiety seend it up and talk myself into calming down and watch it go down but im still worried a ive seen it ridiculously high when in panic mode. This makes me think on the plane it will get high and cause it. Sorry to ramble but thats anxiety for you and this is what ive been like past couple of days as been off work.
I even had nightmares last night as ive been watching plane journeys online my theory being exposure will make it less scary!

I feel your pain as I'm terrified of flying as well - and I fly regularly, at least 12 flights per year.

My doctor gave me 10 x 1mg ativan on repeat prescription, it takes the edge off but nothing helps much. Last week I flew with my partner on a short internal flight and I was in tears on his shoulder seconds after take off.

I'm fully aware it's completely irrational, just wanted u to know you're not alone in how u feel - but you and that plane will take off and land safely, all the stats guarantee it :)