Fear of flying

[Newbie2025]

Does anyone else suffer with a fear of flying? I'm due to go away in 2 days and now wide awake with anxiety and panicking about the flight.
I've flown a few times before and flew last year but this has come out of the blue, I never liked it but I feel like I can't get on the plane this time.
I'm not scared of it crashing but I'm scared of panicking mid air and not being able to get off.
Seriously debating cancelling unless anyone has some really great tips or advice to help? Going to phone the doctor first thing as a friend suggested they may be able to give me some medication to help but I feel like the panic is too far gone now and I just can't get on!
Thank you in advance

My dad did. He went to the doctor and got meds that helped him, think it was diazepam. He doesn’t need them anymore and managed long haul to Australia this year with none at all but he did find them helpful to begin with. Doctor first thing is your best bet.

he also found having a (alcoholic) drink on the plane helped but can’t be done alongside the meds!

If you look up similar threads on here there is plenty good advice 😄

I used to have a terrible fear of flying. I did use Valium for a while. But what really happened was I used a couple of weird things to help. Sudoku. I know, it is strange. But I found that doing simple sudoku just used a different part of my brain, taking my mind off it. Also, focussing on the flight attendants. They always looked calm, slightly bored, and they know exactly what’s happening.

If you cancel, it will get worse. There’s some fairly common sense reasons why attempting something and then failing to do it is worse than not trying. Essentially, you are currently panicking. If you cancel you will feel relief. Your brain will associate flying with panic and NOT flying with relief, and therefore firm up those connections. If you fly, your brain will associate flying and landing safely with relief, making it easier next time. Phobic avoidance is bad. And gets worse.

Yeah i use to take diazepam for it. I'd love to try hypnosis at somepoint or do one of these fear of flying courses

Look up EFT - it’s really useful for anxiety like this. Someone I know used it for anxiety about a long haul flight (terrified of flying in general) and it worked like a dream. Good luck 🤞

Flyman Simon on social media is very good too!

Someone on here recommended the book ‘Dare - the new way to end anxiety’ . There’s an app too but I find it easier to read books. Ever since I read that book, I’ve been a different person and even though I was anxious when I flew, I dealt with it so much better. I absolutely recommend it!

Also, focussing on the flight attendants. They always looked calm, slightly bored, and they know exactly what’s happening.

I used to be slightly nervous about flying and didn't find statistics about planes being safe very convincing. What helped was realising that the cabin crew take about 600 flights per year without thinking twice. Have a word with one of them when they come round and mention that you are a bit nervous, and they will look out for you. They are very ordinary people who occasionally take a crafty 10-minute break when the purser (chief cabin crew) isn't watching, nick a couple of miniature bottles of gin, and can't wait to get out of their uniform when they get home. (But also, if a problem does arise, their training kicks in and they become very professional, in my experience.)

Thank you everyone for your tips. I'm going to give it a go, I keep telling myself that even if I have a panic attack that I won't die! And it's just my brain being ridiculous! Just wish I wasn't like this.

Big hugs, I know the feeling… I had a huge fear of flying in my childhood, teens and into early adulthood. I only managed to get over it due to me having to fly for work (solo!) monthly in the end!! My first one resulted in me having a crying fit and panic attack as I boarded and during take off, where a stranger held my hand and was so kind 🥲🥲 humiliating but I was grateful.

Deffo agree with pp regarding focus on flight attendants. Let them know as you board that you are a nervous flyer - they see it so often, and will check in with you and take time to explain things to you if it will help.
Look up some YouTube videos for nervous flyers. I remember seeing some pilots and cabin crew give some great advice and explanations which did help me.
Take sweets/nibbles/distractions. Take headphones and load up your phone with a lighthearted series or film to watch to distract the mind. Concentrate on that and eating some sweets or something if you feel panic rising. Concentrate on your breathing and slow it right down.

All the best. You can do this!! The first one is the hardest.

Glad to hear you’re doing it OP. All the very best.