I have an important flight this week, so there is no possible way to escape it. Lately I've been having off and on periods of panic attacks. I don't want to medicate myself. Sure I'll be alleviating myself but I don't want to patch up my problem. They say the mind and nature are powerful things. How can I naturally help myself? I really don't want to be gasping for air or trembling on the flight.
I have been on planes without any care or worries, until I hit 20....nerve issues.
Does Valerian work? (I've got liquid valerian droplets you can add to drinks)
Last time I tried it, I felt very sleepy...not exactly calm, but sleepy.
Any suggestions? Advice? Techniques?
Please I can't go nuts on a 2 hr flight.
2007-08-13 19:17:54 · 68 answers · asked by persianchick99 2 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
I can relate to what you're feeling, believe me. I have panic attacks only when I fly. My fear of height & feeling closed in, cause me to have panic attacks. I flew south sixteen months ago & knowing I had to fly, I came to terms with myself about the upcoming flight. I kept talking to myself, some days before the flight. I kept telling myself that I would be just fine & once I made the flight, I'd be proud of myself. Believe it or not, it does work, you know, the power of positive thinking. Once I got on the plane, I made sure the air was on directly over my head, to keep me cool. If I get really warm, it makes matters worse, so I keep myself cool as I can. I do not read on a plane but I do listen to CD's, while I doodle in a small notebook I keep in my carry on bag. The music & the doodling, keep my mind occcupied. I can not sleep on a plane, & I do not take Dramamine or sedatives to keep me calm. I am a determined/head strong gal & I want to do it all on my own. The secret is not to focus on your flight, just focus on telling yourself, that you can do it, & that you'll be just fine. It works for me & when I get to my destination, I feel proud of myself for having conquered my fears of flying, once again. You'll be just fine. I hope I have been of some help to you.
2007-08-14 15:22:33 · answer #1 · answered by Shortstuff13 7 · 5⤊ 5⤋
Just remember the following facts:
Airline staff are extremly well trained in every situation, they know exactly what to do and can help you.
Air travel is the proven safest way to travel, you are in much more danger in a car than in an airplane.
There are thousands of flights every day, and only very, very occasionally a flight has any incident at all.
Before you fly, there are tons of checks and inspections done on the plane to make sure it is in the best condition.
What helps me is chewing gum. It helps you with the pressure in your ears and it's a distraction.
Bring an iPod to listen to relaxing, calming music, and it will help your nerves.
If you are starting to feel scared, take a couple deep breaths, and go to the lavatory to splash some water on your face. Then come back and listen to some music and close your eyes.
There are also special ion bracelets you can buy that I think are supposed to help.
I hope you have a great flight!
2007-08-15 10:02:26 · answer #2 · answered by calamari kid 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I'm the same way, it's normal. That's the first thing to understand I think. Then figure out why you are so scared, could it be that you are not in control of the plane, the pilot is, and this could be scaring you, not knowing who is flying this plane? I think the first thing to understand is that planes undergo a very good inspection. Majority of pilots are very intelliegent people who have either flown in the airforce (way more difficult!), or have had extensive training, this includes all emergency training too. Like someone has said, you are much "safer" flying than driving in a car for 2 days, or even 2 hours! Stats proove this. This is always a good thing to think about before taking off.
Don't drink, it can dehydrate you and make you feel like ----
Just think of all the things that can happen in your life, the odds of something happening on a plane are very, very, very small. You're more likely to break your leg today than die on a plane!
2007-08-15 05:29:51 · answer #3 · answered by cinny 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
If you are a natural person you should try cognitive behavioral therapy. It was the only thing that has helped me with my horrible health anxiety. Read here https://tr.im/xJr9h
Your thinking determines your quality of life. Your thinking is what causes you these feelings:
Anxious, fearful, stressed or depressed
Constantly worried, or angry about something that is happening in your life
Struggling to overcome obsessive and negative thoughts.
If you change your thinking, you will change your life. This is the basic idea behind CBT for anxiety. The Cognitive part is where you learn nee methods and ways to change your same old habits and thinking patterns. If you keep thinking and expecting the worst – You will continue to suffer.
2016-02-12 07:52:41 · answer #4 · answered by Carlita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Antimate for bitches is good. The best homemade remedy I knew of was a ball of cotton wool, wet and then squeezed out very hard to leave it just damp and with this you apply direct to horse some lemon oil.
2016-03-16 23:09:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To relieve yourself, flying a plane is actually quite safe. There are little/no crashes on a plane, compared to car accidents. Just simply think of something else, breathe, and clear out your mind via meditation.
here's advice from your neighborhood friendly Immortal ninja!
2007-08-15 13:06:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am another white-knuckle flyer. For me, the physical sensations of takeoff are the worst part of it. Once the plane is up in the air and reasonably leveled off, I feel fine. I don't like to medicate, legal or otherwise, in any way. So I do breathing exercises and meditate and pray. If you're flying with someone, hold their hand. :-) Remind yourself that flying in an airplane is much safer than being in a car. Maybe bring along a camera and take some pictures while you're up in the air .... those are some beautiful views you won't get down on the ground!
2007-08-14 17:12:48 · answer #7 · answered by Scotty 3 · 5⤊ 4⤋
Well, whatever meds it takes for this flight.
But really, you've got a phobia goin there and you're way too young to live your life with fear. Go see a pro and get it fixed.
2007-08-15 15:48:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. take a book along with you .
2. tell your self it is all right i'm going to beat this .
3. get a window seat .
4. chew some gum .
5. pray to God for guidence and he will help you .
2007-08-15 16:09:49 · answer #9 · answered by George M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seems like you already have a ton of advice, but I will add in my two cents. I have panic attacks on planes, sometimes even with my lovely prescription of Xanax. What helped me the most was to imagine that the plane was floating on the air like a boat floats on the water. I had a pilot explain it like that to me once, and that image works for me. So even when we hit turbulence, I just think of it like waves on a lake. Of course, the pilot put it all in technical mumbo jumbo that I can't recall, but the image works.
I'm also big time into distraction. I do crossword puzzles, read or listen to my iPod. If the plane has a speaker jack for in flight music I listen to that, or tv, that is even better. Its hard to be anxious when you are watching Flip This House on TLC!
Good luck with your flight!
2007-08-15 09:47:36 · answer #10 · answered by jml167 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Get hypnotized to not be afraid of riding an airplane or you could learn all the safety procedures off by heart and look at how far you'll have to ride on the plane. You could alos just make sure that you know just what to do if somthing bad happens.
2007-08-15 10:44:23 · answer #11 · answered by Kitt 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋