Anyone deathly afraid of flying?

Question

Since I was a little girl I used to fly all the time with NO problem!
Then 2 years ago my husband and I went to Jamaica and I was scared out of my mind! I didn't even know how I was going to get home. Luckily, I found a nurse who gave me a Zanex to knock me out. It really sucks, because I cannot even bear the thought of stepping foot on a plane again. I really have many places I want to go and I cannot seem to get over my fear, even if I have drugs to knock me out. Anyone experienced the same issue? Any suggestions!
Thanks!

Answer 1

I used to have some anxiety, but never full-blown fear of flying. What got to me was the steep angles of ascent, descent, and banking turns. I'd look out a window and see the clouds, then out the other side and see the ground, and imagine myself falling out. Then I'd get really dizzy and start clenching the seat handles.

Here's what I did, and it worked for me. I hate roller coaster rides! They're way too fast and scary for me! So I imagined it was a big roller coaster and it would be really scary! Except it wasn't so bad suddenly, and I got really relaxed for the rest of the flight. Sorry, that's the best I can explain it. Just imagine it's something lots scarier and you will see it's not really THAT scary, and maybe you will relax!

Adam S, I don't think your story's gonna help much! In fact, you just made me really afraid of flying!!!

Answer 2

Just think: As your sitting there right now, there are almost 10,000 planes in the air. People fly on planes everyday. And besides, riding in a plane is safer than driving in a car. Also think about the shuttle astronauts. Flying would be old hat to them compared to what they have to do! So what I would do is find a place to go. Try somewhere close to where you live (like a 1-3 hr. flight). Book the flight on Jetblue or another carrier that will keep you occupied. Take some Zanex just in case, but don't use it unless you have to. And once they seal the door there's no turning back.

Answer 3

I am a frequent flyer who is deathly afraid of flying.

I have flown all over the place, Europe, Asia, Africa, all over the US and I am usually calm enough not to cause any problems.

I am fine during takeoff and even during the steep turns. I don't really mind during turbulence that much, BUT- once severe turbulence sets in, I become unmanagable. I become drenched in sweat and can hardly contain myself.

On a recent flight from Colorado to California, we hit severe turbulence (the pilots referred to it as "wind shear") above the rockies. The pilot turned on the fasten seat belts sign and mentioned we were flying into a massive cumulonimbus cloud. The turbulence became so severe that many people on board were screaming. As I was looking out the window, I witnessed a bright flash (like when an arc welder is welding) accompanied by an intimidating "BANG!!". Suddenly, the airplane dropped in altitude (extremely dramatic) and we were fishtailing all over the place. I felt like I was being tossed around- almost like being in a car accident. The plane was almost sideways and I felt stong surges in many strange and unpredictable directions. I was terrified! It seemed to me like the pilots were totally out of control, when they came over the intercom and announced that we had been struck by lightning. They claimed that it was a normal occurance, but that it jolted the auto-pilot system and we would have to make an "unscheduled landing". They reassured us that everything would be fine, but that it would be quite a bumpy decent. I seriously thought we were going to crash.

I was flying with my 4 year old son at the time- I am a large framed- pretty tough guy, but I was a complete wreck (many other passengers were in tears). I have never flown quite the same ever since.

Later I consulted with a pilot friend of mine who told me that the wings of a 747 are so strong and flexible that it is unimaginable that turbulence could actually cause a plane to crash. He told me that the wings could stretch up to 25 feet above the fuselage and still hold tightly and not snap.

Even though it's not easy for me, I know in my brain that flying is safer than driving. It is completely psychological- you just have to get past it. Try talking to a pilot about the likelyhood of a crash. that should make you feel better.

Answer 4

I'm not to keen on flying either, and in fact I like to drive or train to my locations, but I have flown, even while being tremendously nervous.

Have you examined your past experiences to see if there is something that could have causes this all of a sudden? A movie that you've seen, a film clip, a book passage or a book itself, something someone told you about flying or a flying experience, something on the news, etc?

If it's nothing like that, did someone recently pass in your life, to the point that you are a little worried about death itself and flying just reminds you of how quick you could go?

If it's none of these things, then you might just want to picture yourself getting ready for a trip on a plane. Go through all of it in your head and imagine where your at as you do it. Wait until the point of maximum concern is, or where it first hits, and then examine why that point is causing you the concern.

There is a lot of terrorist activity now and it could even be a reaction, unconsciously, to world events.

I hope that your able to cope with this, even if it just means that you take alternative modes of transportation.

Love as always,

Sebastian

Answer 5

I have never flown. I am not afraid to fly but have never been anywhere that required flying. I have traveled the mainland USA by auto.

Answer 6

My husband is the same way. He gets Valium. I have the kids babysit him in the airport. Sigh.

Answer 7

i have no fear at all! but try taking something that will occupy your time or take sleeping pills or other types of medicine.

Answer 8

no