afraid of planes
Jul 28th, 2007, 09:48 AM
#2
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Why are you afraid of flying?
Logical reasons - you can look up data on air safety?
Emotional ones- check out the fear of flying web sites
A previous bad experience - usually you need a counselor to deal with that one
You could, of course, go to your MD for a tranquilizer (but if you do so be sure to try it out in advance to see how it works for you - you want to be calm - but not unconscious)
Logical reasons - you can look up data on air safety?
Emotional ones- check out the fear of flying web sites
A previous bad experience - usually you need a counselor to deal with that one
You could, of course, go to your MD for a tranquilizer (but if you do so be sure to try it out in advance to see how it works for you - you want to be calm - but not unconscious)
Jul 28th, 2007, 10:13 AM
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Hello Ecbaarg!
If you are serious about getting rid of your fear of flying check out this web site www.fearofflying.com/
It is run by Capt. Tom who was an airline pilot for 30 years and now is a therapist who helps people with this fear. It had changed my life.
I flew a fair amount. And then I just freaked out and couldn't do it. I'd have people quote statistics to me, tell me to drink, take drugs, get over it etc. You know what that does ... only makes you feel like it's not a real fear.
I missed weddings, graduations, free trips to great places, vacation opportunities, you name it. I always had an excuse -- too busy, work too crazy, too poor. And then one day I got sick of it.
I just came back from trip last week. I had one minute of nervousness over the Gulf of Mexico during some big, bad turbulance. But that's it. I'd get on a plane tomorrow. In fact I've got a few trips in the planning stage.
You can check out the site. He had dvds and mp3s you can download. He uses a mixture of behavioral modification and facts and learning how to control anxiety before it overwhelms you. There is a live chat on Wed nights you can get on and talk to other folks w/seriously amazing success stories. He will send you a letter to meet the pilot -- I've done it! They are always so nice. He has relaxation excercises. There is a message board. And he even provides a service where you can talk to him on the one.
I know you can do it if you are ready. I know how you are reading this and thinking it won't work for you. But it will. Trust me -- I'm proof.
Let me know how it goes.
If you are serious about getting rid of your fear of flying check out this web site www.fearofflying.com/
It is run by Capt. Tom who was an airline pilot for 30 years and now is a therapist who helps people with this fear. It had changed my life.
I flew a fair amount. And then I just freaked out and couldn't do it. I'd have people quote statistics to me, tell me to drink, take drugs, get over it etc. You know what that does ... only makes you feel like it's not a real fear.
I missed weddings, graduations, free trips to great places, vacation opportunities, you name it. I always had an excuse -- too busy, work too crazy, too poor. And then one day I got sick of it.
I just came back from trip last week. I had one minute of nervousness over the Gulf of Mexico during some big, bad turbulance. But that's it. I'd get on a plane tomorrow. In fact I've got a few trips in the planning stage.
You can check out the site. He had dvds and mp3s you can download. He uses a mixture of behavioral modification and facts and learning how to control anxiety before it overwhelms you. There is a live chat on Wed nights you can get on and talk to other folks w/seriously amazing success stories. He will send you a letter to meet the pilot -- I've done it! They are always so nice. He has relaxation excercises. There is a message board. And he even provides a service where you can talk to him on the one.
I know you can do it if you are ready. I know how you are reading this and thinking it won't work for you. But it will. Trust me -- I'm proof.
Let me know how it goes.
Jul 28th, 2007, 11:37 AM
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I also believe what you should do is dependent upon what scares you about flying.
There are lots of things that can be done, but it's dependent upon what you're willing to do and how extreme your fear is.
There are lots of things that can be done, but it's dependent upon what you're willing to do and how extreme your fear is.
Jul 28th, 2007, 02:04 PM
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are you taking this trip solo or with someone you know? if you are traveling with someone, it should be better, since they can ease your fears.
if you are flying solo, it best to try to do something to take your mind off of your fears. my suggestion: hit up the airport bar prior to departure and have a few tall ones, then kick on your mp3 player and close your eyes, before you know it, youll wake up worryfree at your destination with a bad headache.
seriously though, anything can stress and worry you out, if you think or worry about it too much. just relax and have fun. millions upon millions have flown before. compared to automobiles, planes have a much higher safety record.
if you are flying solo, it best to try to do something to take your mind off of your fears. my suggestion: hit up the airport bar prior to departure and have a few tall ones, then kick on your mp3 player and close your eyes, before you know it, youll wake up worryfree at your destination with a bad headache.
seriously though, anything can stress and worry you out, if you think or worry about it too much. just relax and have fun. millions upon millions have flown before. compared to automobiles, planes have a much higher safety record.
Jul 28th, 2007, 02:48 PM
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Hi ecbaarg
I really feel for you as I used to fear flying also and even hyperventilated once many years ago coming from Sydney to Auckland. It was awful, now I don't worry about it at all because of taking a few steps to help me get over it. And I have been on some rough flights. You should think about the thousands and thousands of flights taken each day with no problems whatsoever, if the planes weren't safe for instance no pilot would fly them for a start.
I hope this helps, I worked this out for myself a long time ago and was amazed to see it recommended recently in some magazine.
If it gets a bit rough just sit back and breathe evenly, close your eyes and imagine you are in an old truck driving over a bumpy old pot holed road.
I know a lot of you are going to laugh at this but believe me it works, takes your mind of planes and relaxes you, it's worked for me on a few occasions and even recently when flying in a very small plane in rough weather. I don't take any pills or potions. My flight two days ago LA to Auckland, we stopped in Tahiti and there always seems to be a bit of turbulence about an hour east of Tahiti, so no matter where you go you will experience a little bit even in nice weather.
Surely your flight isn't non stop is it?
I really feel for you as I used to fear flying also and even hyperventilated once many years ago coming from Sydney to Auckland. It was awful, now I don't worry about it at all because of taking a few steps to help me get over it. And I have been on some rough flights. You should think about the thousands and thousands of flights taken each day with no problems whatsoever, if the planes weren't safe for instance no pilot would fly them for a start.
I hope this helps, I worked this out for myself a long time ago and was amazed to see it recommended recently in some magazine.
If it gets a bit rough just sit back and breathe evenly, close your eyes and imagine you are in an old truck driving over a bumpy old pot holed road.
I know a lot of you are going to laugh at this but believe me it works, takes your mind of planes and relaxes you, it's worked for me on a few occasions and even recently when flying in a very small plane in rough weather. I don't take any pills or potions. My flight two days ago LA to Auckland, we stopped in Tahiti and there always seems to be a bit of turbulence about an hour east of Tahiti, so no matter where you go you will experience a little bit even in nice weather.
Surely your flight isn't non stop is it?
Jul 28th, 2007, 03:06 PM
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I had that same fear with the takeoff.
For me, I found that knowing just the bare minimums of the take off process eased my mind. With that, I'm able to think about what the pilot is actively doing in the cockpit, rather than thinking he's just sitting there drinking coffee like in the movies.
For me, I found that knowing just the bare minimums of the take off process eased my mind. With that, I'm able to think about what the pilot is actively doing in the cockpit, rather than thinking he's just sitting there drinking coffee like in the movies.
Jul 29th, 2007, 11:15 AM
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just to know i dont have any contact to the ground makes me crazy but then
Sounds like you may want to understand how and why a plane can fly. We don't always have contact to the ground - like on a boat. Are you afraid of being on a boat too?
Anyways, go read about the physics of flying. I don't have a recommendations, but a google search should give you some answers.
The short version is that the wing, because of its different shape on top and bottom, create lift when air passes through it. The engines create thrust to get enough speed to get that airflow.
Birds fly with the same principle. They don't have contact with the ground either, and they're okay.
Sounds like you may want to understand how and why a plane can fly. We don't always have contact to the ground - like on a boat. Are you afraid of being on a boat too?
Anyways, go read about the physics of flying. I don't have a recommendations, but a google search should give you some answers.
The short version is that the wing, because of its different shape on top and bottom, create lift when air passes through it. The engines create thrust to get enough speed to get that airflow.
Birds fly with the same principle. They don't have contact with the ground either, and they're okay.
Jul 29th, 2007, 12:03 PM
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rrkwan - that's what really helped me. Just understanding that basic process was enough to stop freaking out.
The trick is not to learn too much to where you can identify where problems might arise.
The trick is not to learn too much to where you can identify where problems might arise.
Jul 29th, 2007, 12:32 PM
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hi ecbaarg:
my sister is deathly afraid of flying, but has to fly and has flown all over the world.
she takes some medication from her doctor to relax her and then has a drink on board the flight and hopefully can sleep the entire flight.
she's usually pretty frightening to look at when I pick her up at the airport!!!!
but she always makes it safely!!
good luck.
let us know what works for you.
my sister is deathly afraid of flying, but has to fly and has flown all over the world.
she takes some medication from her doctor to relax her and then has a drink on board the flight and hopefully can sleep the entire flight.
she's usually pretty frightening to look at when I pick her up at the airport!!!!
but she always makes it safely!!
good luck.
let us know what works for you.
Jul 29th, 2007, 12:57 PM
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If you are religious, pray for a safe journey and trust that your prayer will be answered.
In flight, relax. If you become anxious, remind yourself that your life is in God's hands (or in the hands of the flight crew to whom you and your fellow passengers have entrusted yourselves).
Drink lots of water and fruit juice, but no coffee or alcoholic beverages.
Book an aisle seat. Get up and walk around the plane every hour or so.
In flight, relax. If you become anxious, remind yourself that your life is in God's hands (or in the hands of the flight crew to whom you and your fellow passengers have entrusted yourselves).
Drink lots of water and fruit juice, but no coffee or alcoholic beverages.
Book an aisle seat. Get up and walk around the plane every hour or so.
Jul 29th, 2007, 04:52 PM
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First of all, don't take advice concerning medications, whether OTC or Rx from total strangers. If you do feel that something might help you, go see your Doctor. He knows you and knows what else you're taking that may have an effect. Some have mentioned that you see your doc for advice.
The advice about learning about the mechanics of flight sounds good to me.
Personally, I find that my mp3 player relaxes me, although I have never really had a problem with flying.
The advice about learning about the mechanics of flight sounds good to me.
Personally, I find that my mp3 player relaxes me, although I have never really had a problem with flying.
Jul 29th, 2007, 05:33 PM
#20
I used to fear flying. i grew up sitting next to my mother, the white knuckle flyer.
I used to take a valium before I got on and I just hated the way I felt.
I decided a long time ago, that I love to travel and this was the best way to go. I talked myself out of it. Besides, you can't take pills and take care of little kids on the plane. I would be one of those that slept while my kids kicked the seat! Just kidding.
I don't fly with my mom anymore. I sit with my kids and tell them how great it is we get to go all over the world. They think it is great!
I always pray during take off. That was and still is the hardest hump to get over. After that, I read a magazine or book and I like the window seat.
I have told myself over and over that tomorrow this is just a memory and I will be on a great vacation somewhere.
Mind over matter.
Go to your doc if you really hate it. He will give you something to take the edge off. It is a long flight and you will sleep it off.
Don't be afraid though. Going to Austria will be worth it.
I used to take a valium before I got on and I just hated the way I felt.
I decided a long time ago, that I love to travel and this was the best way to go. I talked myself out of it. Besides, you can't take pills and take care of little kids on the plane. I would be one of those that slept while my kids kicked the seat! Just kidding.
I don't fly with my mom anymore. I sit with my kids and tell them how great it is we get to go all over the world. They think it is great!
I always pray during take off. That was and still is the hardest hump to get over. After that, I read a magazine or book and I like the window seat.
I have told myself over and over that tomorrow this is just a memory and I will be on a great vacation somewhere.
Mind over matter.
Go to your doc if you really hate it. He will give you something to take the edge off. It is a long flight and you will sleep it off.
Don't be afraid though. Going to Austria will be worth it.
