Fear of flying!

[cricketmum84]

I've always been a nervous flyer. Never flown as a kid, my first flight was with now DH when I was 24. It just makes me nervous as hell! I think I took about 82 kalms last time and still terrified!

I'm ok-ish once it's up in the air and steady. It's the take off that's the worst for me. As soon as the wheels leave the runway my stomach drops into my shoes and I can't breathe.

The last time we flew was on honeymoon to Aruba 3 years ago, the plane took a really steep turn to line up for the airport, all I could see was the sea, could tell we were almost on the side and had a full on panic attack.

I've been making excuses not to fly since then but we have finally booked 10 nights in Spain in October. I am already very very nervous just at the thought of the flight but also very aware that I need to keep a lid on it as we are with DC and I don't want them to feel there is anything to be afraid of!

Does anyone have any advice to get me through these flights without panicking?

Get Zanax from your doctor. No need to put yourself through that. Your OH can mind the kids on the flight. Do a trial run beforehand to see if you need a half or full one. A friend of mine was tortured with nerves every holiday until her Doctor prescribed her that. Luckily you're not travelling on your own with the kids, presuming if you are hiring a car your OH can drive from the airport? Otherwise you have time to do a fear of flying course if you wanted, before you go. I know several people who had great sucess with that.

My fear of flying is no more now than eg the brief moment of anxiety as you join a slip-road for a motorway - ie knowing there's a risk just as there is in any situation when you leave the house, but I don't give it much of a thought these days.

Two things helped: one is to go to a live plane-tracker and just see for yourself the thousands and thousands of planes crossing and criss-crossing the sky at any moment. ALL of those planes expect to take off and land successfully. It's absolutely routine.

Another for me was to notice the cabin crew: chatting to one another, taking their seats, getting up and seeing to the galley. They do this 4 or more times a day, it's normal for them, it's their job like working in Tesco. there's no way they'd be doing this if flying was as huge a risk as my fears made it seem!

If those getting-it-in-proportion sort of thoughts aren't enough.. my elder DD gets a couple of Valium or similar from her GP. I understand they are pretty understanding about it.

hope you can find a way to enjoy the flight at least a bit (I do now) and have a lovely holiday!

Same as Apples above - look at www.flightracker24.com It's fascinating and very reassuring. Also there are lots of online resources and books which explain all the 'funny' noises and manoevres.

I did the Easyjet Fearless Flying course. I won’t say I’m fear free but it helped. I hate turbulence, but I now have a bottle of water on the table in front of me so I can see the water is hardly moving really. I also got a recording from the course that i play, that explains all the noises and also has some relaxation exercises on it. Looking at the stewards moving around calmly as a pp suggested is a good idea. Failing all that I would consider asking the doctor for some Valium. I resist doing that myself as I’m determined to cope with it. Good luck!

Thank you so much OP, I'm going away for a few nights in a couple of weeks and I'm also terrified of flying (although my fear stems from a traumatic turbulence incident a few years ago in which even the air hostesses were screaming). I've been thinking of starting this thread but haven't got round to it. Watching with interest!

I'm flying on Monday. I bought a fear of flying book by Captain Steve Allright and that helped. It's takeoff for some reason. I'll do my best to get through it!

Thanks so much for all the advice guys - have had a look at some of the online fear of flying courses and I'll definitely pick one to start listening to.

I'm already on anti anxiety meds so would need to speak to the docs to see if Xanax/Valium is suitable for me.

Agreed it's the taking off for me!! Once it's up I kinda settle a bit but the take off is just awful.