Going abroad again after a flight disaster 8 years ago....

MortgageMamma

I am in the same situation as you, two bad flights 2000 and 2001 and then the twin towers attack and I vowed never to get on a plane again. We've holidayed in this country since 2002, the last three holidays were totally ruined due to bad weather and I couldn't get the kids excited about this years trip to Scotland so I took the plunge and booked to go to corfu for 2 weeks in August.


When I am awake and coherent I manage the fear by positive self talk (I can do this, I've done it before many times, I've got to do this for the kids, we are going to love it when we get there, its only 4 hours it will pass quickly, millions of other people do it and survive etc) - I'm claustrophobic, suffer from vertigo cannot abide even small heights, terrified of any form of transport that I am not driving.


The only problem I'm having at the moment is bad dreams. I keep dreaming my dog is put to sleep whilst I'm away, that there will be some form of disaster in the UK and we'll be stuck in Corfu with no money, that my house burns down whilst I'm away, the I slip into a diabetic coma because of the heat - strangely enough non of the dreams relate to flying but they are cycling repeat dreams every night like a movie being played over and over.


I've taken to drinking a few pints of beer before bed so I don't remember them in the morning, its sort of helping.


My advice to you is book it last minute so you don't have weeks to panic like me, try not to think about it and distract yourself. Rationalise worries in your mind with self talk and if you are still jittery nearer the time get some tranquilisers from your doc before flight (take a trial one first before flight so you know how they affect you). Also, go on some air carriers websites and read the safety sections its quite reassuring.


I'm hoping that once I've got through this, it will be "back to normal" for me and lots of lovely holidays to come.

Voyager2002

In response to Mortgage Mamma, well done for taking the plunge. However, relying on alcohol to manage your anxiety now is likely to cause problems in the future: it might be better to see you GP about sleeping pills or whatever. And booking last-minute would mean that the flight would come as a shock and so would be a good deal more stressful without any time to feel prepared (there was a post here the other day about someone who was so anxious that he just could not get on the 'plane).

Anyway, hope you all have a lovely holiday.

Benners123

Very brave of you to open up like this! I am a very confident flyer, however I was returning on a long haul flight two months ago, one of the emergency exits was faulty an my imagination went away with me.

I had a mini anxiety attack when the plane was taking off, got very hot and started sweating profusely. I can only think this is because my mind was thinking of all the opportunities which could be missed and it was a horrible feeling.

Have you thought of possibly hypnosis to get over it? or just talk to your girlfriend about it. Perhaps the stigma which you have attributed to your past experiences have made it a bigger obstacle to get over. Talking over your issues, will mean you aren't hiding it when travelling.