Fear of Flying .. any help???
 

Can anyone recommend any of the courses on getting over the fear of flying? I fly frequently and my fear is getting worse and worse. Any comments-positive or negative-are welcome. Thanks. <BR>

I also fly frequently, and I haven't taken any courses, and I am not really afraid of flying... sometimes (bad weather, bad looking plane, small unknown airline)I get a bit anxious. <BR> <BR>What usually works for me is to think that the very same plane, probably with the very same crew have done exactly the same thing over and over, and that at any given point in time there are thousands of planes in the air. I also think that more people from my city have died electrocuted OR poisoned OR in car crashes OR by gunshots than in plane crashes. That usually works to make me feel that I am in a very safe envrionment.

I know it sounds crazy, but I tried hypnosis and it WORKED! I have a terrible fear of flying but was flying with small children and needed to, at the very least, "appear" fine, otherwise I was afraid I would unnecessarily scare them. <BR> <BR>I underwent hypnosis the afternoon before my flight from Boston to Tampa. Flight went very well! On the return flight, my husband commented on how calm I was. Only then did I tell him I had undergone hypnosis. <BR> <BR>I would DEFINATELY recommend it, and would do it again myself. I can relate to your fear- good luck!!

In the past, Northwest Airlines has offered a course. Their "home version" included a video and there was a $$$ off coupon that came along with it which essentially offset the cost, if you subsequently took a Northwest flight. I don't know if it is still available, but I would think you could contact them through the website and find out. (www.nwa.com)

You're not alone. Some aspect of flying bothers just about everyone, including the most hardened business traveler. <BR> <BR>When I was younger the only way I'd get on an airplane would be after a lengthy pre-flight visit to the airport bar. I never bought into that "if it's your time to go" argument; I wondered what if it were someone else's time to go and I was just along for the ride? <BR> <BR>As the years passed I began to realize that, by not flying, I was cutting myself off from the rest of the world. I still don't like it, but the payoff is so great -- seeing Europe, the Caribbean or other parts of the U.S. -- that I'm now willing to put up with a few hours of fear for several days of fun. <BR> <BR>Just keep in mind that your fear, however real it is to you, is still basically an irrational one. Without going into the odds of this and the odds of that, just remember that you'll always get where you're going. Have a few drinks, wear something red (keeps away evil) and keep your fingers crossed. <BR> <BR>

Wear a parachute. <BR>Get Drunk. <BR>WALK. <BR>

5 mg Valium - Takes the edge off the anxiety.

Whoa Nellie, <BR> <BR>I also fly only out of my desire to see the world and not deprive myself out of fear. This works ok at the start of the trip, I am excited about the new adventure, but on the way home it sucks! I no longer have adventure and adrenaline to get me through the flight, and I have worried that I may one day end up living in Europe only because I had the final panic attack boarding my return flight! <BR> <BR>Any one else have info on fear flying classes?

Every time I get on a plane I am sure it will crash. We flew Egyptair on Friday the 13th last year - now I figure if I can do that, I can do anything. I try to look at the flight crew and assume if they are not looking nervous, things are probably OK. I have never wanted to take a course because although I am fearful, it hads not stopped me from flying. And besides, I don't want to take a course to convince me that something that is obviously unsafe actually is safe!

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions!! <BR>

Barbara Rothbaum, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Emory University in ATL, has done research on Virtual Reality Exposure to combat fear of flying. Search on Google.com or the Emory.edu site for information on research; I believe she offers VRE in her practice. Good luck.

There are also a number of books available. I found "The Fearless Flyer's Handbook" to be helpful. (I was really getting to the point where I thought I would have to stop flying - used the book and am now a happy flyer.) If you do a search on Amazon or Barnes and Noble you'll find several books on this topic. I didn't find anti-anxiety meds to help much - since they didn't stop me from thinking about plane crashes. The books spend a lot of time explaining how planes fly, the pilot training, emergency procedures, what the bumps and thumps mean (normal), etc. Did me a world of good. There have been some past posts on this topic in the 'grab bag' forum - a search should turn them up. Hope this helps.

First, suggest you search this topic ... many previous discussions. Second, see a therapist a few times and expore the fear itself (flying might be a symbol or representation, and the fear could well be about something esle entirely). Third, take two dramamine (original strength) and one Ativan 1 mg. an hour before flight, and no alcohol. Enjoy your flight. Ciao

Having read the books, practiced the relaxation, found out how the plane worked, convinced myself that turbulance was unpleasant but not dangerous, I was gradually getting worse.It wasn't just the flight but the few days before leading to loss of sleep and appetite and being unable to concentrate in work. <BR>I was really keen to spend the millenium in India despite all the anticipated problems-do you remember those? Planes would fall out of the sky and so on. <BR>Some 9 months before we were due to fly I started counselling and dare I say it-it worked. <BR>Try it.

Flying used to terrify me so much that about 2 days before leaving I always developed a huge cold sore, and unless I could cover it up, it shows in all my old vacation photos.

Yes, I remember this topic coming up before, and I think Leone made the same suggestion about medication. Essentially it's not a bad idea, but in my opinion the dose Leone suggests is way too heavy - I'm an RN and have some experience with these medications. Please talk with your doctor about how much he/she thinks you could handle. Different people have different reactions and Ativan is a very strong drug.

Here's a link to an article on the Fear of Flying class that Northwest Airlines offers. Reading it is a bit like a Cliff's Notes version of taking the class: http://webserv6.startribune.com/stOn...ate&perPage=10

Lorraine, <BR>I just had a 17 hour flight on Southwest (due to bad weather) from the West Coast to the East Coast with 9 take offs and landings total -- one way! They started to get to me on one particularly hard landing when I looked over at the 5 yr old boy seated near me. He looked out the window and calmly said, "oh, we're landing". A light bulb went on in my brain. I realized if he could be that calm, that it was only what I was telling myself that was letting me get upset. Loving a challenge, I told myself "If he can be calm, so can I." And I was. <BR> <BR>I know my experience probably won't help you, but I sincerely hope you will find a way to feel at peace during the flights like I am now able to be. I will never forget the picture of that little boy in my mind's eye. <BR> <BR>Signed, Been there and feeling at peace.

Thanks for the other suggestions. I'll probably start with looking at books and go from there!! <BR>

I too have had to deal with an irrational fear of flying. I love to travel but hate the process of getting to my destination. Last year, I was extremely hesitant and embarassed to call my doctor to ask for some medication. Her response, "oh we hear this all the time". So, she gave me a prescription for six "Xanax" at the lowest dose possible. I took one pill a few days ahead of time to make sure it had no negative side effects. About 1 hour before my flight, I took 1/2 of a pill. Then, I think I used one and a half more throught the flight, in divided doses. I did not lose control or feel sleepy. For me, I didn't overly react to turbulence but certainly noted that had I not taken medication, I would have been panic striken. Talk to your doctor about a very lose dose medication. It does take some of the joy from the vacation when you have to stress about the flights. <BR>Ellen

A suggestion of less importance...The little things help too. My wife has a fear of flying so we pick and choose our airlines. In fact, we exclusively take JetBlue now because they have 20+ TV stations which are available from gate to gate. So when you take off, you can have distractions. It seems unimportant but often the hardest part of the takeoff is sitting on the runway with a feeling of anticipation. My wife has found that little things like watching TV during takeoff helps.

I'm not crazy about flying either--but a couple of things have helped. First, as a friend once told me, the pilot and crew want to get to arrive safely just as much as you do (maybe more). Second, I usually stay up almost all night before a flight and it really helps me sleep through much of it. But if your fear is keeping you from traveling, then you should probably seek help, either through a FofF class, counseling or medication. Good luck and happy landings!

As a pilot and airplane crash investigator, I have a different bit of advice for you. Statistically, most people know that flying is much safer than other modes of transportation. If you want to find out airline' mishap rate track records, the data is available on www.airdisaster.com. That being said, I'm a believer that knowledge is power. If you know how airplanes operate, it may help relieve your anxiety. One example if you have the time and resources might be to take a pilot ground school class. Then at least you know some very basic aerodynamics etc. Happy flying! <BR>Paul

Thank You Paul- actually my mom has suggested the same thing. Its a very good idea. <BR>

<BR>While on the one hand it's true that (statistically) flying is the safest way to travel, on the other IF there's an accident you'll die for sure, so how safe is that?? <BR> <BR>And what about the equipment. Alot of these planes were bought during the Nixon administration. Some of them are old Eastern Airlines jets painted over again and again. Isn't that the equivalent of being 6 miles in the sky doing 550 miles an hour in your buddy's 1972 Chevy Vega? <BR> <BR>And what about the passengers? People can get cranky when they can't smoke. What about the clown who lights up in the restroom or gets ticked off at something and punches the co-pilots lights out? <BR> <BR>And what about those short runways, and noise abatement, etc. etc. etc. <BR> <BR>A class will do nothing. The only thing that will help is PRAYER. <BR> <BR> <BR>

I too was afraid of flying. The one thing that helped me was when a psychologist friend told me that I should not try to get over my fear. First, become educated, perhaps by reading a book like that suggested by scigirl, one that teaches you what all those bumps and grinds are. If you know what's happening when you hear those strange sounds, you'll be less likely to be frightened by them and some of your anxiety will ease. Next, realize that you may not be able to get over your fear, but that you can work through it. Almost all of us go through something frightening but we work through it and come out the other side. For instance, you've done something wrong at work and don't want to tell your boss. But you know he has to be told. So, you gird your loins and make yourself march sharply into his office and tell him. It isn't pleasant, and it takes a little while for the "wobblies" to go away, but you do what you have to do and live through it. The next time you'll still be frightened, but you'll do what you have to do, and it becomes a little easier. I followed this advice and, over the next few years, my terror dissipated. Now I'm only a little apprehensive, and every time gets a little bit easier. <BR> <BR>Good luck with combating your fear.

xxxx, <BR>In response to your plethora of questions:Author: xxxx ([email protected]) <BR>Date: 9/06/2001, 2:08 pm ET <BR> <BR>Message: <BR>While on the one hand it's true that (statistically) flying is the safest way to travel, on the other IF there's an accident you'll die for sure, so how safe is that?? <BR> <BR>Not true. An airliner just landed in the Azores last week after gliding for over 20 minutes without any engine power. The pilots landed the jumbo-glider safely and everyone walked away. Just one example of a mishap that could have been but wasn't. <BR> <BR>And what about the equipment. Alot of these planes were bought during the Nixon administration. Some of them are old Eastern Airlines jets painted over again and again. Isn't that the equivalent of being 6 miles in the sky doing 550 miles an hour in your buddy's 1972 Chevy Vega? <BR> <BR>Many airlines are upgrading their fleets with newer aircraft. While it is true that some of the aircraft are 30 years old, you can't compare them with cars. They go through what is called a depot overhaul every couple of years. They are basically totally taken apart and inspected. Any worn parts or parts that can be replaced with new safer parts are replaced. This includes the engines. The metal that is more suseptable to stress is even X-rayed or tested with other high-tech methods for corrosion, wear or stress. I have flown multiple thousands of hours in airplanes made in the early '60s. Those airplanes are still flying (Air Force). <BR> <BR>And what about the passengers? People can get cranky when they can't smoke. What about the clown who lights up in the restroom or gets ticked off at something and punches the co-pilots lights out? <BR> <BR>That's why you need to take karate or Tae Kwon Do to help defend the pilots. Seriously, these incidents are very rare and flight crews have training on dealing with these situations. <BR> <BR>And what about those short runways, and noise abatement, etc. etc. etc. <BR> <BR>Aircraft can only land on runways they are approved for due to such things as: weight, landing speed, brakes and thrust reverser capablities. Again, rarely a problem. What about all of the drunks on the road in your area when you are going to get groceries? <BR> <BR>A class will do nothing. The only thing that will help is PRAYER. <BR> <BR>IMHO, I disagree. Knowledge and a positive attitude are powerful things. I do however agree that prayer can help. <BR>Hope this answers your concerns... <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>