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Absolutely fed up of being so scared of flying

23 replies

Poppy606 · 18/04/2022 18:24

Proper fed up today. Was supposed to be flying this week for a few days. I am absolutely petrified of flying and thought I’d be ok. After a weekend of panic, feeling sick etc I’ve cancelled and just cannot do it. I’ve not been in a flight for ten years. I feel ok now but just and idiot for being such a wimp

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NellesVilla · 18/04/2022 18:47

I’m just the same as you, @Poppy606. It bloody well sucks, doesn’t it? I’ve missed out on so many trips abroad now and prior to covid, was training it to Switzerland, Austria and Germany etc, which is lovely, but a shame when I really want to visit Japan, Canada and the US again, and obvs need to fly to do this.

If it’s any comfort, I know 2 pilots- a couple- and they said to me “do you really think we’d risk our lives doing this job if we really felt unsafe?”, and they have a family and are v sensible, so yes, I guess they consider it worth the risk.

Have you thought about a fear of flying course? I’m considering it! So fed up of hearing about others’ wonderful experiences. I have friends- another couple- who so far this year, have visited: Poland, Paris, Copenhagen, Venice, Texas and Boston.

Poppy606 · 18/04/2022 19:18

Hi there. Thanks so much for your comments. I might look into this. I like the thought that you go up and it’s only one flight. I was worried about getting there and ruining then trip with the fear of having to come back

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Countdownis35 · 18/04/2022 20:03

What part of flying don't you like OP? To be honest I dislike flying too... although I do it. Only because I tell myself its worth it at the other end for the weather but the taking off and the first 20mins is awful.

Poppy606 · 18/04/2022 20:07

It’s the fear of the airport and once you get through check in there is no going back. On the flight it’s the fear of being so high up and having no solid ground underneath you. I can’t even look at a plane in the sky without feeling sick

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Countdownis35 · 18/04/2022 20:13

I can relate to the sky part too. My DS loves the window seat.. I don't tell him how nervous I am though but it's quite funny he loves it and he wants to show me the view Blush

LizzieSiddal · 18/04/2022 20:13

My dh was the same as you, absolutely petrified. He did a course with BA at Heathrow airport 4 years ago. It’s a whole day course, and covers everything from talks from a pilot on how a plane stays up, to a few hours with a physiotherapist who spoke about anxiety and fear and gave the group ways of coping. The day ended with a flight from Heathrow to the Isle of Wight. Out of 100 people on the course only two didn’t go on the flight.
Dh came home and we booked to go to Australia to see my brother. He’s since flown several times and we have more booked for this year, his only regret is not doing the course sooner.

There is help out there!

Poppy606 · 18/04/2022 20:18

That sounds so good. I will look into it. I am so mad with myself. This is the only phobia I have and it’s so frustrating.

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user1477249785 · 18/04/2022 20:29

Op I have cracked my phobia. It took three things:

  • a conquer your fear of flying course
  • a book called I think flying without fear
  • and diazepam.

In the early days I took diazepam the night before and then at boarding. I no longer need it at all. It's like it reset something in my brain and I no longer associate flying with being afraid.

Countdownis35 · 18/04/2022 20:30

What about a therapist OP?

Poppy606 · 18/04/2022 20:33

What sort of therapist. I heard people do hypnotherapy but I’m really wary of that

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floridapalmtree · 18/04/2022 20:42

My husband won't fly but not because he is scared of flying but because he gets claustrophobic stuck in a small space and not being able to get out. I really would love to find a way to conquer his fears.

Poppy606 · 18/04/2022 20:50

I think it’s tough on family too as I feel so guilty that my husband can never go abroad with me

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Goawayquickly · 18/04/2022 20:54

I hate it too, I can't fly without valium. Planes fly over my house every 3 minutes and not one had ever not made it over safely but nevertheless I'm still scared. I will fly though, but it makes me so anxious

2DogsOnMySofa · 18/04/2022 20:55

Speak to your GP, he might be able to give you something. Mine used to give me diazepam which certainly took the edge of it and enabled me to fly. I wasn't 'cured' and I still don't like flying, but I can do it

PandoraP · 18/04/2022 21:00

DH is a pilot. He hates driving on motorways: flying is much saferSmile

Poppy606 · 18/04/2022 21:02

It’s so weird . All the facts are there about flying being safer. I have somehow programmed my brain to be scared and I can get past it

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PastelFlowerJelly · 18/04/2022 21:36

One word: Xanax. Diazepam made me slightly woozy/headache-y and you generally feel slightly drugged up. Xanax takes away all the anxiety without a single side effect. You are still perfectly able to think clearly and remember everything about the flight. However all the memories are pleasant, even if the plane is bumping like fuck over turbulence. It's the strangest thing to explain, but because you remember things positively, it actually helps to improve your fear with each subsequent flight. If you're too anxious to sleep on long-haul flights then you can up the dosage to a level which knocks you out. It takes a bit of trial of error and obviously with caution since you don't want to overdo it while up in the sky.

I find it's the absolutely perfect solution to fear of flying because it's a situation that's extremely self-limited. An average person flies about 1-2 times a year, or even less. Taking benzos twice a year is never going to lead to addiction and the relief it provides is indescribable. If you got kidney stones once a year you would certainly not refuse to take stronger painkillers for that one event. So I don't get the point of spending so much time & money for courses, therapy, breathing exercises etc when there's a magic bullet that will erase all your fears instantly and only for the duration of the flight.

The biggest caveat is finding a doctor to prescribe it, unfortunately because of the potential of abuse. I was lucky to find a GP who trusted me sufficiently and one prescription has lasted me 5 years. I've only taken it while on board a plane and I genuinely look forward to travel now instead of dreading it in the weeks leading up.

My fear is also not the plane crashing, but a complex mix of being out of control, unable to escape, emetophobia (people around you being sick, being sick yourself), sensory overload from being in tight space with too many people and too much noise etc. Many fear of flying courses might work well for NT people who just need proof that planes don't crash but that wouldn't touch the edges for me. I also have ADD with racing thoughts so I know my problem is fundamentally neurological and medication was the only thing that really solved it.

Poppy606 · 18/04/2022 21:41

Thanks so much. I think the GP will help greatly

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JohannSebastianBach · 18/04/2022 21:47

I had hypnotherapy for it and it really helped me. Only took one session.

I'll never love it but I can do it without sleepless nights for weeks before and panic in the airport and during the flight. I enjoy my holiday now because I'm not worried about flying home.

namechangeranonymouse · 18/04/2022 21:47

I think the fear comes because you have no control whatsoever of a situation which could end your life and take you away from the people you love, be it parents, husband and worst of all, children. My fear was cured when I realised this but felt they would all be fine without me. Older kids etc. They wouldn't of course but at the time I convinced myself they would. I thought I'd rather die in a plane crash (I wouldn't) than miss out on so much. Just brainwashed myself!

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 18/04/2022 21:55

I did the Virgin Fear of Flying course at Gatwick. Day sir between a pilot explaining the mechanics off flight and explaining what we can hear/see/feel. Then a cabin crew explaining what happens and what they are trained to cover (ie how they deal with medical emergencies etc). Finally we had a hypnotist taking us through some EFT techniques to help dissipate fear.

We were on tables if 10 with someone from Virginia so we could discuss and ask questions as well as asking the speaker.

We finally all checked in/went through security and boarded the plane, we all did it. It was actually a different airlines plane and pilot but ours was in the cockpit through talking us through everything the pilot was doing and what was happening.

One of my big fears was when the engines go quieter and you feel like you're doing during take off. This was a common fear and fully explained.

We flew over the IoW at night and it was just stunning, even experienced some 'sexy' turbulence and we all coped fine.

Was am amazing feeling when we landed, with every penny.

Now my kids roll their eyes as I'm a geek and talk them through every sound/happening on the plane.

Honestly OP if you can afford the course I strongly recommend it

Skala123 · 18/04/2022 22:05

I second Xanax! Absolute game changer for me and I now only take it on long haul flights. It's totally "reset" my fear.

Poppy606 · 19/04/2022 07:30

Thank you so much for all of your replies. I will move onwards now and am determined to crack it

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