I have horrible anxiety when I travel on planes. What can be done about this?

Question

Does anyone else suffer from this? I'm sad to say that I passed up a trip to Las Vegas last year because I was going to have to travel on a plane. It's gotten pathetic. How do you get over this type of terror? The last time I flew, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I even took sleeping pills (eight hour flight), but still stayed wide awake.
This was not a problem until recently. I used to fly to Belgium once a year and it never bothered me until a few years ago.

Answer 1

My mother gets panic attacks like this, though due to other reasons. Her doctor recommended Melatonin supplements, a natural chemical already produced by the brain. It helps increase the amount of seratonin in the brain and allows her to relax. She has far fewer panic attacks and the few she has are much quieter.

Melatonin is an OTC (over the counter) supplement you can buy at any grocery store or druggist, and is quite inexpensive. I would be hesitant to take prescription strength medicines. The goal is to give you an aid to relaxing, not knock you out.

The first time one of my sons flew, he was fascinated by the mechanics of the plane and how it flew, so we got him the window seat. But when he saw how enormous the plane was, how fast it moved, the noise, he started to panic. I got his attention and started to talk about what we'd learned together about *why* and *how* the plane was doing what it was, the size of the engines, how lift worked, etc. We talked about the gantry walkway and the guys with the long flashlights and wondered together what the pilot and copilot were doing.

In short, I distracted his panic and redirected it to his curiousity. By the time the stewardess came around with the drink cart, he was so bubbling she invited him to come to the cockpit to watch!

I'm not saying you should do the same, but getting mentally involved with the process will circumvent the emotional response of fear. I've used this when learning to scuba dive at age 45, roller blade at age 42, and overcoming performance anxiety when giving speeches and playing my violin.

Good luck, and don't let fear hold you back.

Answer 2

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 3

If over the counter sleeping pills don't work talk to your doctor. I had to fly to Nigeria right after 911. I was absolutely terrified and then to make matters worse I had to transfer to one of those tiny single engine planes once I got their.

My doctor gave me a prescription for Valium. I was still a little scared but I wasn't hysterical and was able to get through it.

Answer 4

I have your answer and everyone i've ever given this advice to says it works -- Xanax (generic name alprazolam). Your dr. needs to prescribe it to you and you will relax on your flight. Believe me, this stuff works and it's not the same as a sleeping pill or other types of pills.

Answer 5

Many psychologists associate the fear of flying with a control issue. Statiscally, it is the safest form of travel. So either face your control issues, or get a good drug as previously recommended. Nothing store bought...get a good prescrip. drug.

Answer 6

Drink yourself into a stupor right before getting on the plane.

Answer 7

Valium works wonders.

Answer 8

i have the same problem used to get wasted b4 the flight but cant anymore or they will kick u off

Answer 9

I have the same prob....PAXIL works very well for this...or you can interrupt your negative neural associations