Help me with my fear of flying.....

[Tommygurl]

I have flown since I was little. I fly about 5 times a year on average I would say. While I have never liked to fly lately I have developed an irrational fear of flying. I started taking Ativan before I flight which had helped in the past. This last flight from Vegas I had a full blown panic attack in the air. I convince myself the plane is going to crash. Every little bump, noise, & movement feeds the fire. I picture my kids growing up as orphans. Turbulance is terrifying for me.
At home here I scour the newspapers to read about plane crashes. I have searched the internet on plane crash statistics...1 in 11 million chance of dying in a commercial airline crash.
What the heck? Am I going crazy? I am freaking out about flying to Dallas in a month for PITS2.....
Anyone taken a fear of flying class? Any hints or tips to help me out?
Melissa

[ami]

Wine. Lots of it.

[mlsbkp]

I really hate to fly, too. In the beginning I really liked the take offs and landings and was scared to death of the actual flight. Then a friend of mine told me that the majority of plane crashes happen during take off or landings - that really has made the flight a little more enjoyable (after the take off and landing). I think his direct quote to me was something like "how many planes do you see just fall out of the sky??" And like you, I love those little ativan - they really do help. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful - just see a PEEP I can relate to regarding flying. Actually, rereading this I probably haven't helped your problem at all - just vented mine.

[Sunny20]

My mom has this problem also. She can't sleep a week before she needs to go on a plane. Then on the plane she drinks ALOT
I've never been on a plane with her but my dad says it's pretty annoying that everytime when plane moves she wakes him up from his nap and says.. WE ARE GOING TO DIE !!!

I'm curious what experience people have of this and ideas as I'm trying to convince my mom to visit mexico.. And that's a lot of hours in a plane from here.

[mlsbkp]

And, as Ami has stated - wine, and lots of it.

[Skiptown]

I was afraid of flying so I took up Skydiving. Now I'm just vervous in planes that are landing.

[penalipee]

Mas Tequila!!! The way i look at it is...if the plane is going to go down, there's really nothing you can do about it. But really....what are the odds. You're more apt to get run over and killed by some senior citizen trying to drive in our town, than you are to die in a plane crash! Have you ever seen Final Destination? You can't cheat death. When it's your time, honey, sorry but you're goin'!! At least that's my view on life...and death. Just relax and try and enjoy all the alcohol the airline provides!! Do you like roller coasters?? Maybe if you ride the wooden one at Playland a few hundred times, flying won't bother you so much. Personally, I'd rather fly inturbulance than ride that roller coaster ever again. Thought I was gonna fly right out!! No gut rush just sheer terror!! Good luck with your flying anyway!!!

[bedeaway]

Try this it works for me. About 20 minutes before the flight takes off take a Xanax. It calms you down enough to not worry about taking off. Then when you are in the air have a bloody mary. The rest of the flight you will be fine Weeeeeeeee all the way.

I do not recommend taking more than one though. I did last year by accident and I was totally out of it by the time we landed.

Seriously, I used to have to fly alot for my job. Had a few bad flights, and then, I started getting the fear. I told my doctor and he gave me Xanax. It really does help. There is no reason to spend the entire flight scared to death. It can be enjoyable if you just relax.

Now I just call my doctor and tell him I'm going to be flying. He calls in 4 Xanax for me. It's great.

Originally Posted by Tommygurl

I have flown since I was little. I fly about 5 times a year on average I would say. While I have never liked to fly lately I have developed an irrational fear of flying. I started taking Ativan before I flight which had helped in the past. This last flight from Vegas I had a full blown panic attack in the air. I convince myself the plane is going to crash. Every little bump, noise, & movement feeds the fire. I picture my kids growing up as orphans. Turbulance is terrifying for me.
At home here I scour the newspapers to read about plane crashes. I have searched the internet on plane crash statistics...1 in 11 million chance of dying in a commercial airline crash.
What the heck? Am I going crazy? I am freaking out about flying to Dallas in a month for PITS2.....
Anyone taken a fear of flying class? Any hints or tips to help me out?
Melissa

[Tommygurl]

Originally Posted by Sunny20

My mom has this problem also. She can't sleep a week before she needs to go on a plane. Then on the plane she drinks ALOT
I've never been on a plane with her but my dad says it's pretty annoying that everytime when plane moves she wakes him up from his nap and says.. WE ARE GOING TO DIE !!!

I'm curious what experience people have of this and ideas as I'm trying to convince my mom to visit mexico.. And that's a lot of hours in a plane from here.

I do that to my hubby...He flys everyday at work so he sleeps the whole flight. He had my nail marks in his arm last trip...

[ami]

Originally Posted by mlsbkp

And, as Ami has stated - wine, and lots of it.

It's true! Not beer or hard alcohol, but wine. Has some kind of calming effect on me.

[Tommygurl]

Originally Posted by penalipee

Mas Tequila!!! The way i look at it is...if the plane is going to go down, there's really nothing you can do about it. But really....what are the odds. You're more apt to get run over and killed by some senior citizen trying to drive in our town, than you are to die in a plane crash! Have you ever seen Final Destination? You can't cheat death. When it's your time, honey, sorry but you're goin'!! At least that's my view on life...and death. Just relax and try and enjoy all the alcohol the airline provides!! Do you like roller coasters?? Maybe if you ride the wooden one at Playland a few hundred times, flying won't bother you so much. Personally, I'd rather fly inturbulance than ride that roller coaster ever again. Thought I was gonna fly right out!! No gut rush just sheer terror!! Good luck with your flying anyway!!!

Yes some old bat on Harvey Ave almost hit my car today....
Maybe it is my fear of dying & leaving my kids without a Mom. I am okay when I fly with them. How odd is that?

[sctx]

dont look down

[horizon200]

Fear of flying is many times caused by the lack of control or the unknown. Try taking some ground school classes or better yet learn to fly!
Although after 2300+ hours, I am a terrible passenger now...I'd much rather be at the controls!

Hows the joke go...when I die, I want to go quickly... just like grandpa..not like his 200 screaming passengers!

[roni]

There are effective therapies to deal with phobias. Go see a competent psychologist / psychiatrist - qualify them as competent first .

Doggiemom may have some knowledge

[Tommygurl]

Originally Posted by roni

There are effective therapies to deal with phobias. Go see a competent psychologist / psychiatrist - qualify them as competent first .

Doggiemom may have some knowledge

Good idea Ron...I will look into that. 1 in 11 million is an irrational fear for sure.