I'm so scared...

Keen_Young_Learner

Not sure if this is the right board but I'm hoping you can help me...

Over the past 4 years, I've developed a fear of flying that seems to be getting worse. It has escalated to the point that I have had several panic attacks on board flights in the past year and I feel sick and anxious for days before I fly.

I've lived abroad in that time and am desperate to go again; I'm determined not to let this spoil travel for me - it's something I've always loved.

My question is, what steps can I take to improve the situation without breaking the bank? Free hypnotherapy apps have helped (a little), while prescription diazepam has done nowt to curb my racing heart and negative thoughts.

Has anyone found anything that works for them? My OH is keen for me to get proper hypnotherapy but that costs an arm and a leg and it might not work... Same for those Virgin Atlantic "flying without fear" things.

We're off to Barcelona for his 30th in 3 weeks...I really want to get on that flight and I don't want to spoil his birthday by being scared

Any help or advice much appreciated!
KYLx

Stevie_Palimo

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-advice/10628012/How-to-conquer-a-fear-of-flying.html

Voyager2002

It is very easy to get to Barcelona without flying, so that might be a short-term solution.

missbiggles1

Go by train - it's a fantastic journey and much more interesting than flying.

(But then, I haven't flown since 1973.)

Keen_Young_Learner

Thanks voyager and missbiggles, totally with you on the train thing but the flights have been booked already...and I don't have the funds to book trains as well as pay for spends etc. at the moment I feel like I have to get on this flight since that ticket is worth about £150 (it's a BA flight, bought with avios) but I don't know how to cope with the fear.

Thanks for the article Stevie, it's good to read about others with the same problem.

John259

Is the problem fear of an accident, or claustrophobia, or something else?

For example I know somebody who is terrified of flying in a plane but went on a hot air balloon trip without any concerns at all, whereas I'd be the opposite.

Voyager2002

Keen_Young_Learner wrote: »

Thanks voyager and missbiggles, totally with you on the train thing but the flights have been booked already...and I don't have the funds to book trains as well as pay for spends etc. at the moment I feel like I have to get on this flight since that ticket is worth about £150 (it's a BA flight, bought with avios) but I don't know how to cope with the fear.

Thanks for the article Stevie, it's good to read about others with the same problem.

Check whether the Avios could be returned if you decide not to take that flight...

Trains need to be booked a long time in advance to be affordable, but bus (Eurolines or Megabus) can be very cheap -- although that is not a journey that I would enjoy or recommend.

Voyager2002

John259 wrote: »

Is the problem fear of an accident, or claustrophobia, or something else?

For example I know somebody who is terrified of flying in a plane but went on a hot air balloon trip without any concerns at all, whereas I'd be the opposite.

This. You might analyse whether your fear/aversion is to the fact of being in a 'plane, or to the horrible process of passing through an airport. If the latter, much of the horror can be removed by upgrading to Club (business) class. (Bear in mind that on BA within Europe there is little or no difference from Economy once you are actually on the 'plane, but you are spared much of the anxiety about the check-in closing; the long and claustrophobic crush to get through Security; and the long wait in a noisy and uncomfortable shopping centre called a departure lounge.)

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

Try some CBT, it can help with warped thinking of any kind, so may help you with that. There's free online ones, moodgym.com.au is the main one I think.

And the key to getting over anxiety? Accept it, don't fight it. I have had anxiety for a very very long time, and the only way I even leave my home is by accepting the anxiety and letting it run its course. It isn't half as scary then.

Horizon81

The obvious answer is don't fly! Hypnotherapy is money for old rope.

tomtontom

Voyager2002 wrote: »

This. You might analyse whether your fear/aversion is to the fact of being in a 'plane, or to the horrible process of passing through an airport. If the latter, much of the horror can be removed by upgrading to Club (business) class. (Bear in mind that on BA within Europe there is little or no difference from Economy once you are actually on the 'plane, but you are spared much of the anxiety about the check-in closing; the long and claustrophobic crush to get through Security; and the long wait in a noisy and uncomfortable shopping centre called a departure lounge.)

I don't think Club Europe is the solution here - fast track security is often as bad as the usual channels, and the lounges are pretty chaotic. Then you get to boarding and more people have got priority than have not. The "premium" experience can be anything but.

OP, you've done it before, you can do it again. I'm not a great flyer but just talk/ breathe my way through it. After all, what's the worst that can happen?