first time flyer
Jan 18th, 2007, 11:34 AM
#21
Good link, beanweb.
The best explanation of a panic attack -- which may be meaningless to many -- is that it's something like a bum trip on a hallucinogen. If you know what that feels like, you can begin to understand how serious a panic attack feels -- and how incomparable panic attacks are to garden-variety anxiety. I wouldn't wish one on anybody.
The best explanation of a panic attack -- which may be meaningless to many -- is that it's something like a bum trip on a hallucinogen. If you know what that feels like, you can begin to understand how serious a panic attack feels -- and how incomparable panic attacks are to garden-variety anxiety. I wouldn't wish one on anybody.
Jan 19th, 2007, 06:23 AM
#23
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Hi susani - Here's the only thing I might add. Sometimes, one's concerns/panic/anxiety attacks can be caused or increased by a sense of claustrophobia. You don't say where you're flying from, but if this might be case or a factor with your sister, I'd try to avoid the regional jets and stick with something no smaller than a 737/A319-320. Some people fly with no problem - but do not do well when they get on one of the baby jets.
Jan 19th, 2007, 07:39 AM
#25
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I agree with the ailse seat idea and of course a larger plane is more comfortable.......you might want to prepare your sister for some of the noises and movements that the plane makes and assure her that it is perfectly "normal" ....if she is on edge, she will be hyper sensitive and you might be saying things like " that noise is just the landing gear going up " " we are just leveling off now" ... "its a little bumpy because we are going through some clouds" etc. I always found this to be helpful
Jan 19th, 2007, 08:10 AM
#26
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I actually HATE flying, although I don't have panix/anxiety attacks. One of the things that freaks me out the most is engine noise, especially when they get really loud (speeding up) or quiet (slowing down), and even more so when it seems they're constantly speeding up and slowing down.
On my last flight, the person in front of me was obviously freaked out by the same thing and asked the stewardess what was going on. She explained that the pilot was adjusting the engine speed in reaction to anticipated turbulence.
Phew. As the previous poster said, arming your sister with additoinal info can be a great relief.
On my last flight, the person in front of me was obviously freaked out by the same thing and asked the stewardess what was going on. She explained that the pilot was adjusting the engine speed in reaction to anticipated turbulence.
Phew. As the previous poster said, arming your sister with additoinal info can be a great relief.
Jan 19th, 2007, 08:24 AM
#27
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Is your sister cholstorphobic? If she is, don't put her in a window or a middle seat. Instead of a nice view out of the window, if she's chlostorphobic, she will feel like the wall of the plane is closing in on her.
Make sure as soon as she sits down, to open her air vent. Make sure to tell her that the air vent will shut off during take off, but as soon as the plane reaches the cruising altitude, the air will flow again. Make sure she has headphones. You can ask a flight attendant beforehand if she would mind just coming over and make some small talk with your sister.
Make sure as soon as she sits down, to open her air vent. Make sure to tell her that the air vent will shut off during take off, but as soon as the plane reaches the cruising altitude, the air will flow again. Make sure she has headphones. You can ask a flight attendant beforehand if she would mind just coming over and make some small talk with your sister.
Jan 19th, 2007, 08:33 AM
#28
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My 1st thought was the same as egret -- make sure she has a seat with some room to relax. A window seat, when you are seated next to a large individual who kind of wedges you in there, can induce some chlosterphobia in even the most seasoned traveler.
I'm a frequent flier, and my relaxation level is 100% when I have an aisle seat, but drops a little when I am in the middle or window.
My other thought was music. Bring an Ipod and headphones and let her relax. Although, her biggest problem will probably be takeoff and the 1st couple minutes of the flight, exactly when you can't have your electronics turned on.
Also, this isn't the 1st time that a new flier has been freaked out... the attendants will know how to work with her, although some have a better "bedside manner" than others.
I'm a frequent flier, and my relaxation level is 100% when I have an aisle seat, but drops a little when I am in the middle or window.
My other thought was music. Bring an Ipod and headphones and let her relax. Although, her biggest problem will probably be takeoff and the 1st couple minutes of the flight, exactly when you can't have your electronics turned on.
Also, this isn't the 1st time that a new flier has been freaked out... the attendants will know how to work with her, although some have a better "bedside manner" than others.
Jan 19th, 2007, 09:35 AM
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Hi, I am a bad flier. I realize it's something I have to do in order to get where I want to go, but I don't like it. I went to my doctor & got a prescription for Xanax after suffereing a panic attack on a flight during a thunderstorm. It helps because it knocks me out. If she doesn't want to take a narcotic, I would suggest Dramamine- the drowsy kind. That can also help.
Jan 19th, 2007, 10:54 AM
#31
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I will be the first to admit that I hate flying. I do not mind take off/landings but when you are up there in a plance and it starts rocking like a train, and you can't go anywhere it is awful. Last year we drove from NY to Fl., and we are going to do it again this year. My daughter and grandchildren want to fly.....I told them I will meet them down there.
I am a coward, not afraid to admit that
I am a coward, not afraid to admit that
Jan 19th, 2007, 06:42 PM
#32
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Interesting topic. I'm not a psychologist or psychiatrist, but I've flown hundreds of times since I was a baby, so let me add my 2 cents.
- First, some people have a fear of dying. Many may do so because they have young kids or others to take care of, which is very rational. If that's the case, one should have some plans about that - it doesn't just apply to flying, but everyday life. Two parents may not want to fly together if they are leaving young kids at home. Buy life insurance if you have dependents who really need your support.
- Understand a little about airplanes and how they fly. Also about the flights. When a plane reaches enough speed, the wing - because of its shape - create enough force to "lift" the aircraft up. A plane can hit turbulence in the air, but there's nothing to "hit" up there. You can drop many feet and still be fine. Well-maintanced aircraft won't break up in the air even in the strongest turbulence. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) flies planes into hurricanes regularly.
Also know that aircraft turns by "leaning". It's therefore totally normal when one see the horizon at a very steep angle from the window. It's just the plane turning.
- Before the trip, choose your seat online. It's most quiet near the front, while it's most stable in the middle above the wing. Avoid the rear. As indicated above, there's benefits to both window or aisle seats. But know that if you feel very uncomfortable, let your seatmate and the flight attendants know. You will find people that are willing to switch with you if you tell them why.
- Go to the airport early. Don't rush and be in a hurry. Many newer aircrafts don't have individual air vents, so you may feel really hot and uncomfortable if you get on in a hurry.
- Check your larger luggage and only take what's needed (including medicine and an extra day of clothing). Don't bring too much with you onboard or you'll be worrying about overhead space or make yourself cramped in your seat.
- Unless you're flying SW, you will have an assigned seat. No need to rush to board if you don't have excess luggage. Just sit near the gate and only get up when your row has been called.
- Hydrate yourself. You can buy drinks after security. [If you think you'll need to use the bathroom more than once or twice on a flight, pick an aisle seat.]
- No alcoholic beverage.
- Keep your seatbelt fasten, but loosely whenever you're seated. Understand that most injuries on a plane occur when an aircraft hit some unexpected turbulence and people may hit the roof if they're not belted in. But no reason to over tighten.
- Know what you will hear and feel onboard:
-- Of course you will hear the engine. It's normal to hear different pitch as different power settings are used for take-off, climbing, level cruise, and descend. A plane often changes cruising altitude, requiring some increase or decrease in power mid-flight.
-- You'll also hear the retraction and extension of the flaps. Those are extenders to the wings, increasing the wing's area and therefore amount of lift. They are usually half-way extended for takeoff, so you'll hear them being retracted soon after. Before landing, they'll be extended to full length, so you'll hear that too.
-- Like others have said, you'll hear the wheels being lowered. That can be quite loud on some planes.
-- Right after touchdown, often the thrust reverser will be deployed, using engine thrust to slow down the aircraft. So, you'll hear a sudden increase in engine noise.
-- For those who doesn't like to hear the noise, consider ear plugs or noise-cancelling or noise-isolating headphones.
- First, some people have a fear of dying. Many may do so because they have young kids or others to take care of, which is very rational. If that's the case, one should have some plans about that - it doesn't just apply to flying, but everyday life. Two parents may not want to fly together if they are leaving young kids at home. Buy life insurance if you have dependents who really need your support.
- Understand a little about airplanes and how they fly. Also about the flights. When a plane reaches enough speed, the wing - because of its shape - create enough force to "lift" the aircraft up. A plane can hit turbulence in the air, but there's nothing to "hit" up there. You can drop many feet and still be fine. Well-maintanced aircraft won't break up in the air even in the strongest turbulence. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) flies planes into hurricanes regularly.
Also know that aircraft turns by "leaning". It's therefore totally normal when one see the horizon at a very steep angle from the window. It's just the plane turning.
- Before the trip, choose your seat online. It's most quiet near the front, while it's most stable in the middle above the wing. Avoid the rear. As indicated above, there's benefits to both window or aisle seats. But know that if you feel very uncomfortable, let your seatmate and the flight attendants know. You will find people that are willing to switch with you if you tell them why.
- Go to the airport early. Don't rush and be in a hurry. Many newer aircrafts don't have individual air vents, so you may feel really hot and uncomfortable if you get on in a hurry.
- Check your larger luggage and only take what's needed (including medicine and an extra day of clothing). Don't bring too much with you onboard or you'll be worrying about overhead space or make yourself cramped in your seat.
- Unless you're flying SW, you will have an assigned seat. No need to rush to board if you don't have excess luggage. Just sit near the gate and only get up when your row has been called.
- Hydrate yourself. You can buy drinks after security. [If you think you'll need to use the bathroom more than once or twice on a flight, pick an aisle seat.]
- No alcoholic beverage.
- Keep your seatbelt fasten, but loosely whenever you're seated. Understand that most injuries on a plane occur when an aircraft hit some unexpected turbulence and people may hit the roof if they're not belted in. But no reason to over tighten.
- Know what you will hear and feel onboard:
-- Of course you will hear the engine. It's normal to hear different pitch as different power settings are used for take-off, climbing, level cruise, and descend. A plane often changes cruising altitude, requiring some increase or decrease in power mid-flight.
-- You'll also hear the retraction and extension of the flaps. Those are extenders to the wings, increasing the wing's area and therefore amount of lift. They are usually half-way extended for takeoff, so you'll hear them being retracted soon after. Before landing, they'll be extended to full length, so you'll hear that too.
-- Like others have said, you'll hear the wheels being lowered. That can be quite loud on some planes.
-- Right after touchdown, often the thrust reverser will be deployed, using engine thrust to slow down the aircraft. So, you'll hear a sudden increase in engine noise.
-- For those who doesn't like to hear the noise, consider ear plugs or noise-cancelling or noise-isolating headphones.
Jan 19th, 2007, 08:00 PM
#33
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rkkwan - that's a great list!
I definitely agree with understanding a bit how planes work. I always sit in the window seat and am usually right behind the wings so I can see the flaps moving. As I watch them, I mentally follow the basic routine:
Jetting out to the runway; stopping to wait for permission; flaps extending for take off; speeding up to manage lift off; the roughness of the wheels on the runway; the sudden smoothness of actual lift off; the wheels being raised; the flaps retracting. (I think I've got that in the right order.) It's become a relaxation exercise as I check off each step. I even imagine the pilot pulling back on the "steering wheel" to gain altitude.
I've found that instead of getting stressed out, I find my excitement growing for my trip with each step. I also LOVE watching the clouds during the flight - they look so solid that I can just tell myself they'll hold up the plane.
I definitely agree with understanding a bit how planes work. I always sit in the window seat and am usually right behind the wings so I can see the flaps moving. As I watch them, I mentally follow the basic routine:
Jetting out to the runway; stopping to wait for permission; flaps extending for take off; speeding up to manage lift off; the roughness of the wheels on the runway; the sudden smoothness of actual lift off; the wheels being raised; the flaps retracting. (I think I've got that in the right order.) It's become a relaxation exercise as I check off each step. I even imagine the pilot pulling back on the "steering wheel" to gain altitude.
I've found that instead of getting stressed out, I find my excitement growing for my trip with each step. I also LOVE watching the clouds during the flight - they look so solid that I can just tell myself they'll hold up the plane.
Jan 20th, 2007, 05:51 PM
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I get them.I have on a plane . Twice. They suck. once on a Olympic air flight from Athens to Istanbul, when smoking was still allowed on planes. It was awful! Second time two years ago on a Continental flight L.A. to Newark. Again AWFUL. not alot you can do once they start, have to ride it out. Now I take Xanax and some other preventive meds to keep them in check. but, I swear when you are having one it feels like your gonna die. Both times I started pacing the aisle ended up in the galley where there was a bit more room. Flight attendents are pretty good about it, but I still felt like a nut job. Anyway something like xanax will end it quicker but I've had them last up to 1/2 hour.Usually starts with my arm going numb. Now since I take meds for panic they don't occur. Take some xanax or valium in case.
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