How do I decrease or get over my air-plane anxiety?

Question

I love to travel, and have taken flights quite a bit. but every time i get major anxiety and panic. it's almost as if i don't put my whole weight on the plane so it won't crash!! i know it's absurd, but i don't know what else to do. every time there's a little bit of turbulence, i panick.
in my mind i think like this "if the plane is flying through the air, then there should be no "bumps"". but when it is bumpy, i panic.

thanks for your advice everyone.

Answer 1

Here's how I explain turbulence to people that fly with me. I hope it helps: A plane flying through the air is just like a boat going across a body of water. Sometimes a boatride is smooth as glass, sometimes it's a little bumpy. But I am sure you feel safe in a boat, even though it hits some of the waves pretty hard, right? Well, it's no different in a plane, really. The plane is going along and hitting "waves" of air. Yeah, it feels like it drops out from underneath you sometimes, just like a boat. But there is always going to be a "wave" of air to catch you again, just like in the boat. This probably sounds kind of strange, but it has worked before. Also, remember this: most airliners are through the rough air within minutes, since turbulence is usually closer to the ground. Usually above 10,000 ft. it is always smooth. So just "ride the boat" for the first ten minutes or so and the last ten minutes of the flight and enjoy the smooth ride the rest of the time! Hope this helps a little.

Answer 2

Keep your mind some where else for instince read a book! A little bit of research on how planes work will help you to understand the safty features of a plane and how safe planes really are! I am a pilot and i have expierinced some rough turbulence but trust me our pilots in todays world are trained proffesional so dont worry! Our top priority is to keep you safe! If you really dont like planes try using a diffrent type of transportation like a train or a cruise, there are many diffrent transportation in the world that you can use! i hope i helped!

Answer 3

Take at least on flying lesson in a small plane at the local airport. You will see how smooth the big planes are. You can learn about the weather and air masses and heat convection on air currents. You can learn when the air has less turbulence. You can schedule your flights during that time.

Otherwise, try alcohol or drugs. Just remember, what happens to you will also happen to the pilot. He will do everything he can to get himself home safe.

Answer 4

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 5

well, just remember that you are far more likely to die driving to and from the airport, than in actually flying from the airport. air travel is really incredibly safe, despite occasional crashes. and turbulence is to be expected, it's far more likely to occur at least once on a flight than not. and they build planes to be strong enough to have a good chance of allowing people to survive a crash, so it's certainly strong enough for you

Answer 6

If you don't want to go the medical route Corina you could do relaxation exercises leanred prior to boarding. That way your mind won't be altered for your trip.. It invovles breathing exercises, mind, and muscle control. You can learn them at a local wellness centre, or simply by studying yoga. Goood luck with that.:-)

Answer 7

You'll be okay! The first airplane ride is always the hardest, but once you try it you'll probably love it! Just make sure to bring gum to chew so your ears don't pop and if you're really super duper afraid of heights, don't get a window seat!

Answer 8

Hoenestly, have a few ounces of rum before you board. If that isn't enough, get the doctor to prescribe Ativan and take that in combo with the rum and you'll be semi-conscious and slack jawed and by the time you sober up you'll be back on the ground hopefully.

Answer 9

Take either a Valium or Xanax 30 min. before...if you can't get those, take a benadryl but make sure someone drives you! A wheelchair would also be a good thing!

Answer 10

I get the same feeling, it's not exactly comfortable knowing you're protected from falling 35,000 feet by an inch and a half of plexiglass and some sheetmetal and plastic walls and bolts and screws.