To think fear of transport is taking over my life?

[Seashore07]

This might sound dramatic but my anxiety around public transport is through the roof.

I cant get on the tube, hate boats, and I fly soon and I've been awake the last 2 nights and vomited a few times at the thought of it.

I only ironically feel safe in my car when I'm driving.

The troubling thing is that people tell you to trust your gut, my gut tells me stay home in bubble wrap where I am safe!

At the same time I want to experience new places.

Any coping mechanisms?

How about trying the BA Flying with Confidence course?
https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/travel-assistance/flying-with-confidence

I don’t use public transport a lot as I drive but I do hate flying. Could the gp prescribe something to help ease your anxiety a bit? Do you know what it is about public transport that makes you this way, people, germs, etc?

Deep breath . (1) public transport is incredibly safe, more environmentally friendly, a fabulous opportunity to people watch.

(2) A few hours of flying will get you to a lovely place where you can (assuming you are going on holiday) relax and enjoy yourself. You have probably spent more time worrying about the flight than the duration of the flight itself. You don’t need to be happy in the plane, but hopefully accept that the flight is just a mechanism for you to have a wonderful experience somewhere new.

anxiety must be horrible, but perhaps focusing on the practical aspects of the transport may help to distract from your emotional response. Good luck x

I had CBT for a similar issue, has helped hugely

I believe that GPs won't do this any more.

It sounds like it is a deep rooted problem if it's causing you to vomit and probably would take something like CBT or counselling. If you don't have time for that before you fly, perhaps some short regular exposure would help, like asking a friend or family member to help you take a bus just 2 stops to start then build it up. Then if you have time progress to a tube, just for a short journey. It sounds really tough OP. I hope when you do get to your destination you enjoy every second of it and the stress will be worth it.

Thanks folks. Its the fear of being trapped. I can have it sometimes at a theatre show, or a gig too but not as bad.

It's absolutely spiralling.

This isn't normal op, and I speak from experience.

I used to have extreme travel anxiety along with toileting issues (which I now know were caused by the anxiety) and avoided all forms of public transport unless absolutely necessary.

Speaking to the GP and starting sertraline last August has changed my life. Please tell someone how your feeling and ask for help.

That’s my issue too. Try to always sit on an aisle at theatre etc.

CBT gave me tools to calm down when I get really anxious…various distraction techniques.

Plus ways to rationalise my fears….a more sophisticated way of examining what’s the worst that can happen and what are the odds of that happening.

Yes the impact on my physical health is quite astounding. No sleep, barely eaten a thing, vomiting and diarrhea. I might call the GP today.

Please do, they can help you feel so much better. Even just to get you through this holiday and then engage with CBT.

I am exactly the same. I have no advice I just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

You’re not alone. I have that same feeling, although not to the same degree. I don’t mind public transport, and quite enjoy train travel. However, plane travel makes me nervous, because I ‘can’t get off’’.

In theatres, I opt for aisle seats (or near aisle seats) so I know I can get out easily (and also I overheat if in the middle of a crowd).

For me, it’s a kind of claustrophobia. I've also heard that it’s because you can’t control the situation, unlike in a car. Also, like others, it’s needing access to a toilet (even I don’t actually need to go).

Regarding coping mechanisms, I try to focus on something nice to look forward to. Ie this time tomorrow I’ll be on a beach.

I also have an exit plan. I give myself permission to leave a gig if I feel unhappy , and will look to see where the exit doors are.

Theres also the ‘ calm’ app. It has a variety of things - teaches you how to breath calmly, has music, stories etc to listen to which takes you away from the stressful situation etc. worth considering.

I used to get this too, although my anxiety was about not being able to use a bathroom if I needed too. I was also terrified of driving so I was becoming more and more limited in terms of going places. I remember not being able to go on a school trip with my DD because I was scared of the bus and that made me take action. I actually got hypnotherapy which seemed to cure it. I can still be anxious in the car occasionally but I've overcome the panic attacks with public transport. That was about 18 years ago and this summer I went round Europe on public transport. I'd never have believed it possible all that time ago.

They will not prescribe sedatives anymore as it is not safe to do so. However you might benefit from anti anxiety medication (just they will not give you diazepam)

I hate to fly and avoided it for 15 years but then I realised how much I was missing out on.

I have a routine for flying that seems to work for me and I can get on the plane and be on it without throwing up, but this took time and I had to try it a few times and each time I fly I am calmer than the time before. I still don’t like the idea of it. I have a phobia of heights

I do advise CBT or some kind of therapy

My routine is:
eye mask and sunglasses to be in darkness
noise cancelling headphones
a pillow to squeeze
deep breathing exercises

I block out all the noise of the plane and light and try to meditate until I feel better. I also repeat positive things to myself like a mantra

Definitely speak to your GP, I would think a course of CBT and possibly medication may be useful. I have an anxiety type of illness that I’m almost completely symptom free from after therapy and medication, and I’ve now been able to come off the medication.

In the short term, I’d recommend daily meditation (Calm or headspace app) and getting some fresh air/exercise.you could then use the meditation as a go to at the airport/on plane.

Thse stories are uplifting. Yes I might just ask them if there's anything at all they can give me to cope. I'm already thinking of the flight home! 😢

I'll get this app too.

I'm trying to picture arriving at my destination.

Travel anxiety can be awful OP.
As others have said, CBT may help you learn some tools and techniques for managing it.

As you won’t have time for cbt before your flight, maybe you could try tapping. some people find it helpful. Dunno if you’ve heard it tapping, but essentially it’s a way of calming our nervous system.

https://www.tappingformums.com/blog/EFT-Tapping-for-Travel-Anxiety#:~:text=With%20tools%20like%20tapping%2C%20you,Safe%20travels%20and%20happy%20tapping!

good luck!!

Thanks and I booked an aisle seat on the plane. I'm hoping this helps!

I've not tried CBT before so that's something to consider.

I used to be okay flying but I was in a plane that dropped a few thousand feet quite suddenly and everyone screamed and honestly it rattled me! All was OK though thankfully.

My GP has prescribed low dose Diazepam for flying. 4 x 5mg. I take one in Departures and then if still freaking out, I’ll take a 2nd. Same for the return journey.

I love my GP!

@GoTigers I'm going to try and get in touch with them today and see if they'll give me anything 🤞

If you're having anxiety to the point where it's affecting your life you should speak to the GP. They may recommend medication or talking therapies - CBT I have personally found very useful (not public transport anxiety but worries over terrorism, world affairs and health anxiety)

tbh, I know diazepam seems tempting but I would advise looking up the risks of taking it whilst flying. There are a lot. I wouldn’t do it personally, and most GP’s will now refuse to do it. Airlines do not recommend it.

Yes they will, go and speak to your GP OP.