I used to fly up and down the East Coast of the US for years to visit my parents. But one day, my girlfriend and I checked our bags, went to the gate, and I WALKED AWAY. They had to stop the bags, get the bags off, my gf didnt speak to me for a week. I couldn’t explain it.
It’s been about 10 years now since I’ve flown and I’ve just accepted a great job that is going to require flying the first week from Atlanta to St. Louis, and the very next week from Atlanta to Phoenix.
I seriously don’t know if I can do this. It’s over two weeks away and I am already sick to my stomach, restless and agitated. I already take 3mg/ Klonopin/ day for generalized anxiety/ panic attacks, so sadly, a .5mg Xanax would be like eating a Skittle for me.
If it wasn’t for the horrible economy, these two weeks would likely make me turn down the job.
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]]>Katie, it’s great that you were able to try flying a small plane by yourself! I wish I were that brave! But I think, once you kind of know how the mechanics of flying a plane works, the fear of flying gets a little better. Like you, after riding in a small plane before, I feel better flying in a big one. In a small one, I feel like the aircraft would just be carried away by the wind. It’s irrational, I know. I’m still trying to be logical about it. Keep being brave and keep traveling!
Christine, I didn’t think of it that way. But yeah, now that you mentioned it, I actually feel more afraid when I’m in a plane with my family than when I’m alone. I know a lot of people have it the other way around. I feel very overprotective of them too. I haven’t tried Xanax, and, forgive my naivete, I don’t know what it is. My mom always stopped me from taking sleeping pills so I had to cope on my own while flying.
]]>I think for some people, there are emotional issues separate from flying that manifest in this more direct way. My friend eventually figured out that her anxiety came from suddenly feeling immense responsibility for another person. This realization didn’t make her fear go away completely, but she was able to start flying again (with Xanax included).
There can also be nutritional deficiencies at work when it comes to anxiety, and homeopathy can also be helpful in dealing with specific anxieties.
]]>But what has helped the most was taking a flying lesson in a tiny 4-seater plane. I controlled the plane during take-off (well…until I freaked out and let go of the controls) and did a few turns before coming in for landing. I wish I could say being up there was awesome and I wasn’t afraid. I can’t. I was terrified and shaking the whole time, but now when I am on a big jumbo jet, I am so much more calm in comparison. I’m not cured, but I am much better at controlling my fear.
]]>Personally, I conquered the fear of “moving” which requires flying or driving. I’m not thrilled with long road trips, I’d rather take a plane (it’s faster). I got over my fear of moving. No biggie. A new city, new faces, and new experiences. It can be a lot of fun as long as you keep an open mind.
I also got over my fear of traveling alone. I was a little “shaky” at first, but I eventually found my footing…No big deal. Although, London Heathrow can be an overwhelming airport!
]]>A similar setup is being used by the VA in various states to help treat military crew returning from war zones, affected by their experiences.
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