To ask if anyone has ever gotten over fear of flying

[picklejimmy]

I have an absolute crippling fear of flying. I am due to fly march next year and I am already having sleepiness nights because of it. I can't get over the thought of it crashing. The logical part of me knows the odd are tiny but I spent all of last night picturing the most awful outcomes, it panicked me so much I cried (Im aware I am coming across as ridiculous but just trying to be honest).
It's 4 months away but I don't want to spend all that time worrying.
How can I get over this fear? Has anyone on here successfuly done it?

Where are you located? There is an amazing ex pilot who runs a course in the south east to help with fears. He only takes 3-4 people each day rather than tens or hundreds like the commercial airline versions do.

I did the course a few years ago and it helped loads. The fear has come back since I had DD but he lets you repeat the course as many times as you want once you’ve paid so I’m going to go again as it genuinely really helped the first time.

I kind of got over my fear, but really just by habituation.

My DD2 moved to Oz, and the only way to see her is to endure a twenty four hour flight. I was terrified the first time, but oddly, the bigger the plane the less nervous I feel, and the massive Skyliners from Doha to Melbourne hardly feel like an aeroplane.

Doesn't really help you much, sorry picklejimmy. But I used to have to make sure that I had plans in place to care for my children when I flew, in case I never made it...

I've looked at those flying courses but I can't bring myself to do it also the ones I've seen are quite expensive, this is why I've avoided flying for so long (4 years ago last flight) unfortunately this flight is unavoidable.
Last time i flew I cried the whole 3hr flight. I never used to be scared of flying until I was mid 20s I don't even know what started it.
Even talking about it now is making me panicky.

Find a hypnotherapist who offers a Rewind technique.

I was wondering about hypnotherapy, I might give that a go. I hope that it would work. There are so many places I want to go but avoid because of this fear.

Have you read SOAR? A book by Tom Bunn. Ex-pilot and now therapist. It honestly worked better for me than the fear of flying course.
I listened via audio book and did the recommended exercises a fortnight or so before flying. The advantage of the audiobook meant that I could hear his voice when on board and I found it so helpful There's also an app with key info and an in flight g force measure.
Good luck

Just to warn you - hypnotherapy didn't work for me. Diazepam (sp?) works but obviously you can't take it until you are actually travelling.

I'm OK with take off and I love landing because it means it's over. The bit that terrifies me is that turn they do right after take off, I always feel like it's going to just loop back round and slam into the ground.
And flying over water. And land. Just everything in between taking off and landing.
I used to love going on planes when I was a teenager. No fear at all.

I too am terrified of flying and it ruins every holiday I go on because I am so scared of the flight. I flew this summer after not flying for 4 years and went to my GP and asked for Valium which definitely helped- I was still a bit anxious but nothing compared to previous flights.

I am in the south east @PickettBowtruckles and would be interested in doing that course with the pilot if you have his details? Thanks

sultanaloaf I will definitely look that up thank you!

I did a fear of flying course run by BA. best thing I ever did and well worth the money . I can actually relax on board now.

I did the easyJet one and it helped for a bit. It then it came back with avengance! I know that turbulence is not dangerous but when your in it it’s hard to rationalise.

@picklejimmy I've not got over it, wish I could give you some positive news. I've done the courses and whilst I went on the flight to 'prove' I'd done it, i hates every single fucking second. We are quite good at holidaying abroad through car journeys so that'll keep me going I think. I just can't stomach it and don't want to put myself through it. Same as you, mid twenties and no real reason. Luckily have a very understanding OH.

@brighteyeowl17 I did that course. I think if the sounds are what cause your fear and lack of knowing what's going on it's really good. I guess mine is more around claustrophobic/ thinking we are going to crash and I can't get out and the course didn't really deal with that (probably requires more specialist help )

I've been afraid of flying for many years, sometimes cripplingly so and hardly at all at other times. The times I was least afraid was when I moved abroad for a couple of years and got used to travelling between England for visits, and my new home. (Though the fear came back terribly once I moved back to England). And the other time I wasn't scared was after hypnotherapy. I still find it strange that it worked so well. I'm a complete cynic usually.

I haven't flown for many years now, and have no plans to. I imagine I would be scared again these days. I'd love to go to Australia one of these days though, so I expect I'll put myself through it again some time.

If I were you I'd give hypnotherapy a try.

Me!

I went on Virgin Atlantic Flying without Fear and it genuinely cured me! I went from no flights for years since it overtook me to being able to go LH on a trip of a lifetime.

I think it's the thought that if something were to happen I would know about it before it happened. I don't like that idea, it terrifies me. I'm OK with the enclosed space.

I went to my GP and she gave me happy pills for the journey out and return.

I did the Fear of Flying with Virgin Atlantic about 13 years ago and it helped enormously. I’m never going to love flying but I don’t feel as anxious, panicky and upset as I used to.

I went to my GP and she gave me happy pills for the journey out and return

It's only a 2 HR flight so I don't think that would help me much. If it was a long flight I would definitely do that.

I think mine is the same it’s the fear of the Unknown. I’m not actually bothered about being dead (odd I know) it’s the being hurt/injured not knowing what the outcome will be that scares me. Every tiny movement and I have wobbly. The course I did did give me some ways to calm down. I hate takeoff and landing as well. Like full on tears and hysterics.

I get this. I just can't switch off the "we're going to crash" voice in my head and end up upsetting myself. The courses sound good.

I am genuinely jealous of people who are calm and even enjoy flying. My OH loves it, often flies, has a nap. I can't even sleep through it.

ravenrob that's exactly it. Except its 4 months before and I'm already having sleepless nights about it. I would just like to be able to get on the plane and not worry.