Please or to access all these features

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

What would help me feel less anxious on planes and boats?

10 replies

HazelnutRaspberryRoulade · 15/11/2018 18:51

I’ve just come back from a holiday, and while I had a great time for the most part, the bits leading up to getting on the plane and the plane journey itself, as well as a transfer by speedboat, had me feeling really anxious and hyper alert.

Specifically, it seems to be the sensation caused turbulence on planes and the bounce of the boat over the swell of waves that I hate. It makes me so tense and anxious. I don’t think I’m going to crash or die or anything, I just hate the sensation, and as a result I work myself up anticipating the feeling and worrying it’ll happen - and then if it does happen I worry the turbulence or waves are going to get worse and it won’t end.

I really try and combat this, trying relax all my muscles, deep breathing, telling myself I’m ok, distracting myself with reading or music, and I also take stugeron, which does help a bit by making me drowsy. But I think I could be better than I am.

I want to be able to look forward to holidays in the days running up to them, rather than feel nervous, and I want to be better company for my husband when we’re en route!

What do you think might be the best method for overcoming this? I wasn’t sure whether fear of flying books etc would help because it’s not the flying I’m scared of, but the sensation. Any suggestions would be great!

OP posts:
BackforGood · 15/11/2018 23:48

Bumping for you, as I feel the same. Love the holiday, but hate the travel.

Singlenotsingle · 15/11/2018 23:52

If it's not that you're scared of flying per second, do you take travel sickness pills? That might help.

Singlenotsingle · 15/11/2018 23:52

Per se

HazelnutRaspberryRoulade · 16/11/2018 07:43

Singlenotsingle I do take stugeron, which does help a little bit by making me feel sleepy, but I still get the build up of nerves in the days before and it doesn’t overcome the panic I feel if the plane or boat starts bumping.

I think what I mainly want to tackle is my tolerance for what counts as “big” turbulence or waves; what seems big to me would probably not register at all with other people. I want to stop panicking about it and worrying about feeling the dropped stomach sensation. Do you think something like cbt or hypnotherapy would be any use?

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 16/11/2018 11:29

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I think you can get hypno specifically designed to deal with fear of flying (!)

HazelnutRaspberryRoulade · 17/11/2018 07:47

Oh can you! I might look into that. Thanks Snglenotsingle!

OP posts:
LapinR0se · 17/11/2018 07:48

Beta blockers are good in situations like this

HazelnutRaspberryRoulade · 18/11/2018 00:54

LapinR0se ah really! What do they do?

OP posts:
LapinR0se · 18/11/2018 13:07

They block physical symptoms of anxiety for a few hours. Non addictive and no major side effects

HazelnutRaspberryRoulade · 18/11/2018 13:18

LapinR0se that’s really helpful, definitely sounds like that could be useful for me, thank you!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page