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Has Anyone Cured their Fear of flying?

I've always avoided flying. Missed my sister's wedding, and I've only flown twice.

Now my job can include trips away if I want, they're all expenses, but the thought just turns my stomach. I'd love to more than anything, but my fear of flying stops me taking these opportunities. I feel so lucky to have these opportunities, but i just hate flying more than anything.

I'm hopefully starting cbt soon, which will cover this, but I's like to know if anyone has cured their fear of flying and if so, how did they do it?

I hate feeling like this, my children have only been abroad once, but my phobia is crippling.
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  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 49,948 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
    Some airlines run courses to conquer your fear.

    My son suffered like you do. He would get travel sick, then he started to get sick at the thought of getting travel sick, then it got to the point where he couldn't go to an airport without being sick. We went to the doctor and he got prescribed valium. It relaxed his fears until eventually he manages without. Now he flies without a second thought.
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  • victory
    victory Posts: 16,188 Forumite
    suki1001 wrote: »
    I've always avoided flying. Missed my sister's wedding, and I've only flown twice.

    Now my job can include trips away if I want, they're all expenses, but the thought just turns my stomach. I'd love to more than anything, but my fear of flying stops me taking these opportunities. I feel so lucky to have these opportunities, but i just hate flying more than anything.

    I'm hopefully starting cbt soon, which will cover this, but I's like to know if anyone has cured their fear of flying and if so, how did they do it?

    I hate feeling like this, my children have only been abroad once, but my phobia is crippling.


    Not cured it no, but it's got a lot better over the years. I had a stewardess e plain to me the plane noises, very calmly and sympathetically, it all seemed to make sense, the flights after that I didn't need Valium, I never nearly broke OH hand holding it:rotfl: it just seemed to make sense
    misspiggy wrote: »
    I'm sure you're an angel in disguise Victory :)
  • suki1001
    suki1001 Posts: 2,482 Forumite
    victory wrote: »
    Not cured it no, but it's got a lot better over the years. I had a stewardess e plain to me the plane noises, very calmly and sympathetically, it all seemed to make sense, the flights after that I didn't need Valium, I never nearly broke OH hand holding it:rotfl: it just seemed to make sense

    Well the people who work at the airport are lovely, but it just doesn't help. I ca't stand the sensation of being in the air, the height everything. :(
    MSE Forum's favourite nutter :T
  • victory
    victory Posts: 16,188 Forumite
    suki1001 wrote: »
    Well the people who work at the airport are lovely, but it just doesn't help. I ca't stand the sensation of being in the air, the height everything. :(

    I'm not keen on take off, once that is done and I can see and watch the smiling stewardesses going about their work, I just keep saying to myself ' they have kids, family, they don't want to die, they wouldn't put themselves in danger, it's all good, everyone is happy and smiling, this is fine'
    misspiggy wrote: »
    I'm sure you're an angel in disguise Victory :)
  • suki1001
    suki1001 Posts: 2,482 Forumite
    victory wrote: »
    I'm not keen on take off, once that is done and I can see and watch the smiling stewardesses going about their work, I just keep saying to myself ' they have kids, family, they don't want to die, they wouldn't put themselves in danger, it's all good, everyone is happy and smiling, this is fine'

    I just can't cope with the sensation :(
    I hate the height. i think they're all mad!
    MSE Forum's favourite nutter :T
  • claire16c
    claire16c Posts: 7,074 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    silvercar wrote: »
    Some airlines run courses to conquer your fear.

    My son suffered like you do. He would get travel sick, then he started to get sick at the thought of getting travel sick, then it got to the point where he couldn't go to an airport without being sick. We went to the doctor and he got prescribed valium. It relaxed his fears until eventually he manages without. Now he flies without a second thought.

    I used to throw up in the car or at the airport too because I had bad sickness & so would get sick thinking about being sick. I wasn't scared of flying though! Luckily I don't get so ill anymore.

    I think BA do a good fear of flying course Ive seen people comment about it online.

    My Grandad got over his fear of flying but unfortunately only because he got Alzheimer's & literally forgot he was scared so sorry that won't help!

    I'd do an airline course in your position.
  • victory
    victory Posts: 16,188 Forumite
    suki1001 wrote: »
    I just can't cope with the sensation :(
    I hate the height. i think they're all mad!

    Don't think of the height. Just visualise yourself on a bus. No height
    misspiggy wrote: »
    I'm sure you're an angel in disguise Victory :)
  • Kynthia
    Kynthia Posts: 5,692 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I know someone who did one of the airline courses twice. He now flies fairly regularly. I don't know whether it still scares him or not but it doesn't stop him.
    Don't listen to me, I'm no expert!
  • suki1001
    suki1001 Posts: 2,482 Forumite
    victory wrote: »
    Don't think of the height. Just visualise yourself on a bus. No height


    Tried that one - the fear takes over. It's excruciating - i ended up in hospital with suspected appendicitis the first time i knew i was flying - the pain was worse than having a baby, yet - it was simply my fear that caused it.
    MSE Forum's favourite nutter :T
  • piglet74
    piglet74 Posts: 2,157 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I hate flying.. Hate it with a passion.. It scares the £hit£ outta me :-O

    I hate taking off, and landing... And everything in between.. And as for turbulence...

    From about 10 days before I go I feel like I want to be sick at the thoughts of it..

    Eg "how long to u go on holidays piggy"... "Ten days... Omg.. I feel sick"!!

    But.. I know I have got to do it, to get where I want to go, (been to NYC a number of times, florida, other parts of the usa, spain and some short haul flights from ireland to uk)

    I go to the doctor for diazapam before I go and this helps get me on the plane (thought I have been known to pretend to forget something and try and get back off again)

    Like mentioned above I try and think that the staff on board also have family and want us to all arrive safe and sound, I watch the staff's faces, esp during turbulence, and if they are not worried, and strapping themselves in, I try not to worry too

    I usually wear earphones and have music on quite loud to drown out noise from the engines etc, and as I usually haven't slept the night bfore with nerves, I would normally sleep.. Well.. Try to!

    I am sorry, that's prob not what u wanted to hear, I am not cured of my fear, but I travel through it.

    Good luck, piggy x
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