Has Anyone Cured their Fear of flying?

Gillby1

This thread is just what i needed - thanks OP and the rest of you. Moral support and massively funny!

I've flown loads of times, and used to love it, but I suddenly became really terrified on a flight about ten years ago and now it almost ruins ever holiday. It absolutely isn't rational, and even knowing that the cabin crew fly several times a day every working day of the year doesn't help! In fact, whenever the pilot makes an announcement about the prgress of the flight, i'm always AMAZED that he doesn't sound like a terrified, gibbering wreck!:eek:

The fear doesn't stop me flying a couple of times a year. However, I do dread it. It's basically like doing an extreme sport as far as i'm concerned, and by the time we actually arrive at our holiday destination it takes me a while to get over the euphoria and start actually realising we've arrived alive!

I bought the Alan Carr book yesterday, coincidentally, in anticipation of a holiday in July. Fingers crossed it's good...

Gillby

suze200

Yes by seeing a hypnotherapist. I was terrified after the first flight I ever went on had to do an emergency landing. Did not fly again for 27 years. Then I had to go on a business trip. Company paid for hypnotherapist. Then did 6 flights in 11 days. Manchester to Dubia, Dubia to Mumbai, Mumbia to Goa, Goa to Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad to Dubia, Dubia to Manchester. Phew

barbiedoll

I can totally relate to this thread, I thought I was the only one who made a plane "tip" if I got out of my seat! :rotfl:

I can (just about) cope with takeoff and landing but I'm another one who can't see how a huge heavy metal tube can stay up in the air. Maybe if the wings flapped, I'd feel a bit better, after all, it works for birds! I don't like the noise, I don't like the way the plane banks and seems like it's going to fall out of the sky and I don't like the doors, they always seem like they're not going to stay shut.

I'm a terrible passenger on most forms of transport, that's the main reason why I learned to drive. I was a terrified driver too but the more I drive, the better I can cope with it. It's probably the same for flying, the more often you do it, the more normal it will seem.

Ask your GP for diazepam (Valium), you won't get hooked with a couple of days dosage! And good luck with your new job, grab the chance to travel if you can, you'll regret it if you don't.

trolleyrun

All you lovely people, you have such a variety of "issues" but if you can give me until tomorrow I'll try to help and explain as best I can. I'm sorry, but I've got too much on this evening to do so, but will come back tomorrow. Hope that's ok. I promise to give you facts and info that should dispel at least some of the myths and beliefs.

carefullycautious

Nothing would convince me to get into that tin can either, my feet are staying firmly on the earth and if that earth only consists of areas that I can get to on land(I don't fancy boats either) then so be it.

shjo558

I have a huge fear of flying but decided I'm not going to let it spoil my chance of seeing the world.

That was the plan anyway until we experienced MILD turbulence on the way back from Turkey years ago and I just about popped all my finger nails off grabbing the armrests so hard:eek:.

DH said enough was enough and he wasn't putting me through that again.

So, I decided to get a grip and started reading up everything about flying, how to fly, what pilots do, what all the noises are etc. Tried again and wasn't any better lol.

I finally headed to the Doctor and was prescribed Diazepan, it's amazing. I dont feel any different at all but it stops the panic. First flight with the pills and I was waiting and waiting for the panic and it never arrived.

It's not a cure, just masking the symptoms but it worked perfectly for me. I still have to take a deep breath on take off and think calm thoughts but the difference is amazing.

shjo558

suki1001 wrote: »

The one thing that worries me? The whole thing!

It's very difficult to pinpoint, I hate being in the plane and feel very claustrophobic, at the same time they look far to big to actually be able to stay up in the sky, I hate the noises, I hate that I feel like a freak and I'm a complete gibbering wreck, I hate the take off, the speed, the bumpiness, the creaking, the sheer height, the distance from the ground, I can't bear to eat, drink, move, look out of the window. I hate the captain reminding me how high we are of the ground, the lifetime you feel you're up in the air, the safety checks to remind me that something might go wrong, the impending sense of doom. Have I forgotten anything? I don't know, but that's it in a nutshell!

I feel the same way on fair ground rides and those big wheel things you get in cities.

One thing I always think is for every successful flight i am on, the law of averages means I am getting closer to a flight where something does go wrong!

fireyfirenze

has anybody ever been on one of those fear of flying courses? iv flown loads of times but after a horrible flight to Dubai I'm now terrified. mr and OH went to Florida last year and I spent the flight back crying. He said he doesn't want to go on a plane again now with me as it was horrible seeing me so upset but I want to go on holiday at some point! I think I might consider diazepam after seeing some of these replies

Alchemilla

Yep. Love and the man of your dreams who would go with his better looking female friend otherwise. Copious gins and tonics.

busiscoming2

This thread is a few years old, but post #30 I found was so informative I saved it in a word document for reference!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1392923&highlight=terrified+flying