fear of flying?

Question

i have flown overseas and domestic numerous times but I am still very scared of flying. it is so bad that i have had a few panic attacks while up there. what can i do to get over this?...i have tried so many things...

Answer 1

First, I would try self hypnosis, giving your self suggestions of ease and relaxation. Do this not while you are on the plane but well before boarding. Press into your subconscious that your trip will be a relaxing affair, and it should help.

Second, you can ask your MD for an anti anxiety mediation for your trip. Here we are talking about Xanax or some other drug which will help calm your nerves.

Third, think through the trip as you are waiting for the plane. Visualize all aspects of the trip. Giving yourself full knowledge of what is to happen and when it will do so, will go a long way towards alleviating your fears.

Lastly, do not bother buying the book "Fear of Flying" by Erika Jong (I think)... It is neither about Fear, nor Flying. LOL Actually, what I am saying here, is to buy a good book, and read it along the way. The more you act the part of a person unafraid of flying, the more it will be exactly that way in the future. They say... "Fake it until you make it."

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

A Norwegian airliner company had a very good 'fear of flying' rehab programme. It consisted simply of explaining to the people the simple facts of flying, how it works, what is the real danger and what is not. The ended the several weeks course with a flight where the people could sit in the cockpit for some part of the trip. My wife assisted to one of those courses and was very pleased with the result. She even considered a career as a pilot ... but, you know! :-)
Anyway, years later I was flying alone and sat next to a stewardess off-duty from that airliner. I told her about my wife experience and she told me that the fear-of-flying course was first intended for air crew. Yes, air crew, including pilots, sometimes feel a profound moment of anxiety and fear of flying. (don't worry, there is always a co-pilot and even so, if programmed correctly, and airliner can land alone by its auto-pilot). Among air crew experiencing fear-of-flying going to that 'rehab' course, 100 % are cured. That is because it always comes not from the flying itself but another psychological problem that is then expressed by a terrible feeling of claustrofobia or similar.
Incidentally, I also felt not very much at ease when flying before. But since then I took a private pilot license, bought my own aircraft and fly as much as I can. (My avatar is a photo of myself in flight) I just love to by up in the sky and being able to steer the plane myself is just an incredible feeling. Maybe you should try to fly a small aircraft to see how it feels. Just a thought.