Whats the best way to get over my fear of flying?

Question

I used to be fine, but sufferd from a panic attack about 2 years while flying, ever since the very though of it almost triggers an attack, but I love to travel!!

Answer 1

Oh, I have been there, then my two sons became Airline Pilots..ahhhhh! Free flights, couldn't pass it up.

I hate take off, I hate being in the air..the only thing I can deal with is landing..

Turns out, it is because "I" am not in control of the "vessel" and feel very venerable.. Not that I knew this, but I took some counselling for "fear of flying"

If one of my sons is in the Captain's seat, I'm o.k., ??? I know him and I know his skills in flying...so it's the lack of control over any situation in an aircraft that could happen that causes the fear.

Once I learned that..I was "semi-ok" still get "white knuckled" to some extent until back on the ground.

You can get something from the Dr's for the flight, It is a medication that you put under your tongue and it acts really quickly, stopping panic attacks..but doesn't make you sleepy.

Ask your Doc..

Good luck and go travelling.

Answer 2

After watching several movies with horrific plane crashes i became terrified to fly, however i booked a holiday which had 7 flights in two weeks and just thought I'll worry about it when the time came. On the first 2 flights i was a nervous wreck but by the time the seventh one came i thought the worst thing i should experience was a bit of turbulence. So my moto is just book your hols, get on the flight and deal with it! Whats the worst that could seriously happen, planes are taking off and landing every 10 mins at heathrow from all over the world!

Answer 3

This booklet was written primarily for the fourth and fifth type of person — let's call them "fear-fliers". Also, it concentrates mostly on commercial airliner flights. Neverthess, some of the information presented here may prove helpful to any type of flier.

Briefly, this booklet is about managing the uncontrollable terror that can make flying nearly impossible for some people. It does not reject such misgivings as "silly" — far from it! The emotions experienced by fear-fliers are not to be dismissed lightly. I speak from personal experience.

Before I developed the methods described in this booklet, I used to tell people that I didn't fly because I "chose" not to. I claimed that my decision did not have a serious impact on my life. For the most part that was true: I would frequently go for 800 kilometer (500 mile) rides on my motorcycle just for fun. So most of the places I wanted to visit were easy to get to. It's ironic that I shunned the safest mode of travel (i.e. by airplane) for a motorcycle — a means of transport that most people consider extremely dangerous.

Answer 4

The first time I ever flew I had a panic attack, I think it was because my husband thought he was doing me a favour sitting me by the window, I hated it, so when I fly now I make sure I am not against the window watching the ground moving, I just watch all what is going on around me. To get anywhere you have to fly so get on a plane and sit it out it will be worth it.

Answer 5

Right I can see three ways of doing this... all of which involve a plane and flying...

Get a short flight i.e. Manchester to Dublin etc. Problem with this is the plane is small and you might find that a bit scarey.

Get a flight in PoshClass the comfort might make you relax.

Get hypnotized, then get on a plane to anywhere to see if its worked.

Answer 6

this isnt a stupid suggestion i promise, but do you have to fly? you can travel round europe on train, and im sure there are other ways round it to.

i dont really know how to conquer a fear of flying. one thing that might work is not sitting beside the window - its more claustrophobic, and youre more likely to panic if you can see whats happening.

maybe counselling too? i have no idea

Answer 7

if you can, have a chat with a pilot, they will put you at ease and answer all your questions- cured my fear of flying.

Remember- they are seriously professional people and would never put anyone at any risk.

You know it is the safest form of transport- you are far more likely to be injured in the car journey on the way to the airport.

In fact, you know you are more likely to be killed getting out of the shower than flying in an aeroplane? Kind of puts it in persepctive

Answer 8

Hello fellow sufferer.

There are many ways to get through this.

My technique is just get on a plane and worry about it after it takes off.

You can't let fear inhibit your life. I would rather die anyway then be stuck in my home town for the rest of my life so it is worth the risk.

Answer 9

Go flying!!! For example, if you get stiff muscles from exercising, the best cure is more gentle exercising. So - the way to cure your fear of flying is to fly.

Answer 10

The best way to get rid of that fear is to get rid of the fear of dying. I am not a big fan of sedatives.