My company is sending me on a business trip in about 6 weeks. I am terrified to travel by air, and even though the flight is still 6 weeks away, I am consumed by panic. Any advice to make my trip better? Please keep in mind this is a BUSINESS trip, so I won't be able to booze it up or take anxiety pills...
2007-02-28 05:12:38 · 13 answers · asked by Liz F 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Travel by car or bus if it's an option. Sometimes stress is just not worth it if there is a choice. My rule is that I fly when I have to, and I drive when I can. I'm not avoiding it, I'm addressing it on my terms. I don't refuse to fly, but I pick the conditions under which I agree to fly.
Anti-anxiety meds - if anyone asks, just be blunt. "I hate flying, & I take relaxents to help." That is not a business etiquette no-no; there are many professionals who hate flying, and that is dealing with it in an upfront, success-oriented manner. Try the meds once before you fly so you know how they feel.
I take an Ipod & listen to music, and I also take my laptop & focus on work. The Ipod can be listened to for almost all of the flight. The laptop is more limited, but a better distractor. Also break your flight down by hours, and just get through one hour at a time.
2007-02-28 06:04:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Xanax is a medication that has no downside like alcohol or valium. You do not get high, or stupified, you only relax your thinking. It works fantastic for flying or such anxiety that is all mental thoughts.
You can get .25 or .5 mg .
If you took a .5 mg or two .25 mg 20 minutes before the flight, it would stop the thoughts from coming and that is the only problem.
YOu wont get hangover or wake up groggy.
I have used it as needed for 15 years and it has saved my life a few times.
Most doctors will prescribe a small amount just for your trips there and back.
2007-02-28 05:34:17 · answer #2 · answered by Father Ted 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can seek out therapy. They will probably expose you to something generally related to aviation, and expose you gradually to more and more intense experiences to get you adjusted to or used to it. Nothing will be graphic - it's all meant to show you that flying is a safe and reliable means of transportation.
It might start with just pictures and talk about flying, or a movie about it. Then you might stand at the edge of the airport and watch planes take off and land, and see people getting off perfectly safely. Maybe the next step would be to get into an airplane, and see how its laid out, how similar it is to something familiar, like a bus or a train. Finally, you might go for a short flight ahead of time, so you know what to expect when the real time comes.
Six weeks is not a long time to accomplish this, however. If you're going to do this, you need to start now. Start calling counselors in your area and get this scheduled, if you're serious about it.
Or else start calling Amtrak or Greyhound.
2007-02-28 05:22:03 · answer #3 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can take Xanax since it's short acting (less than six hours) and it doesn't turn you in to a zombie. There are a lot of misconceptions about Xanax out there that simply aren't true. All it does is simply make you more relaxed. It doesn't make you feel drunk and you won't suddenly act like an idiot on it. You'll still be able to form sentences and sound coherent. You make it seem like it's heroin or cocaine. I would suggest giving it a try if you don't want to see a therapist who might be able to teach you some techniques that might help you get over your fear (which is actually what I recommend).
2007-02-28 05:25:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are low level anxiety pills that should still leave you completely capable of carrying on business as usual. However if this is not an option at all, I suggest that with 6 weeks left , there is plenty of time to make different travel arrangements, Bus ? Train ? Drive ?.
2007-02-28 05:19:04 · answer #5 · answered by EGOman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Liz. I feel your pain. I HATE to fly and need to take some anxiety medication just to get into the airport.
Can't you take a small amount of anti-anxiety mediciation, so that you are relaxed, but still functioning?
Other options: Keep talking to someone, Bring and read a good book, Pray, Exercise, Eat junk food, etc.
Put I vote for the meds....At the right dose, they won't make you unable to perform at your business meetings.
2007-02-28 05:18:30 · answer #6 · answered by riptide_71 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No worries....traveling in an airplane is much safer than traveling in a car or in vehicle on the ground. Buy some Dramamine just in case you have motion sickness. Think about the great view that you will have. It is awesome to look down and see the landscape from the sky. Who knows you might find yourself enjoying the view? Look at it as an adventure and not something dreadful.
2007-02-28 05:21:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I guess my question to you would be what are you afraid of? The plane crashing? I can count on my hand how many plane crashes I know in my lifetime, but I can remember hundreds of car crashes. Are you claustophobic? Perhaps brining a movie on DVD laptop, or a book will take you out of the place for a while. Talk to your doctor about getting a mild anti-anxiety pill.
2007-02-28 05:17:31 · answer #8 · answered by JR 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Start reading a book two days before your trip, then take the book with you!! and your ipod with your favorite music. This will help you concentrate more in your book or the music than the airplane!.
2007-02-28 05:23:14 · answer #9 · answered by alma c 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Relax honey. Nothing is going to happen. I've traveled at least 3 times a month since I was a baby. And I'm still alive. :D
So just take a deep breath and think happy thoughts. :D
2007-02-28 05:42:11 · answer #10 · answered by Samantha 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋