I have a aghoraphobia really bad- I just started this program and it is helping. BUT- I'm supposed to go to the Dominican Republic the 2nd of April with my husband. I'm soooooo afraid i'll have an attack on the plane, and ruin this trip for both of us. We need this trip more than ever. We have four boys. one just had ankle surgery, one is disabled and in a wheelchair and is always home with me, and my youngest who's 10 just ot diagnosed with eplilypsy. I have one son who is in great shape.
Our stress levels have been at an extreme high.
How do i do this, and make it the best trip for us ever?????
How do I Fly
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Guest
Ask your doctor for advise on any medications you may consider. Some medications just are bad to take while doing what scares you. I hate to fly too but I have a new grandson & 2 kids in TX. & to see them I have to fly. I still get all freaked when the plane hits turbulance but I know that it's symbolic of anxiety. My anxiety stems from Post Traumatic Stress (childhood) visiting my kids that live where I grew up is like death & birth in the same trip. Focus your thoughts on how much you & your husband need this vacation, how having the opportunity to travel and revive yourselves is paramount in receiving relief from your everyday trials & triumphs & know this: God's hand is a billion times bigger than that plane. Take one of those cheap battery games like Connect 4 or Poker or Yahtzee to distract you.
I am sure your husband is aware of your situation, talk to him, let him know your fear & ask him to let you know if it does happen he will be right there to help you through. I just got off a plane last night that i was sure would crash before it got me home but it didn't I was still nervous getting on & off but I did not have a panic or anxiety attack because when I feel it coming I just say "OK, God it's me & I'm scared & I'm all yours!" Usually feel better before I get the whole prayer out, but I feel ya. I'll put a post it up with "Danielle if flying today Lord, if you put her fear in a box today & sit on top so it can't slip out , well, we'd be very grateful. Amen" If you want...how long r ya staying. I'll pray for you on your return flight too as I am sure so many on here will be doing as well.
I am sure your husband is aware of your situation, talk to him, let him know your fear & ask him to let you know if it does happen he will be right there to help you through. I just got off a plane last night that i was sure would crash before it got me home but it didn't I was still nervous getting on & off but I did not have a panic or anxiety attack because when I feel it coming I just say "OK, God it's me & I'm scared & I'm all yours!" Usually feel better before I get the whole prayer out, but I feel ya. I'll put a post it up with "Danielle if flying today Lord, if you put her fear in a box today & sit on top so it can't slip out , well, we'd be very grateful. Amen" If you want...how long r ya staying. I'll pray for you on your return flight too as I am sure so many on here will be doing as well.
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Guest
Well as always your not alone with this fear!! 
Anyhoo, here is a website to a great free program to help with the fear of flying. Someone a few years back recommended it to me and it is absolutely the best in my opinion. See if it helps: <A HREF="http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/index.shtml" TARGET=_blank>http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/index.shtml</A>
Take care and good luck!!
Anyhoo, here is a website to a great free program to help with the fear of flying. Someone a few years back recommended it to me and it is absolutely the best in my opinion. See if it helps: <A HREF="http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/index.shtml" TARGET=_blank>http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/index.shtml</A>Take care and good luck!!
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Guest
Ok, Danielle, you have until the 2nd of April.
You can write up a worst case scenerio. Write about 3 pages worth of how horrible you expect the plane ride to be. Make it horrifically horrible. List all your fears and concerns and what you think could possibly happen in regard to your panic attacks. Now read this worst case scenerio for 45 minutes a day - until you no longer have an emotional attachment to what your wrote.
That's one way. Another way is to write up a Success Scenerio. This time you write how you want the trip to look like for you. You read this everyday prior to your trip. (You can read it more than once a day if you wish.)
It really helps if you could do small trips prior to this trip on the 2nd. Fly for 30 minutes somewhere and back. Feeling all those uncomfortable feelings. Extend a flight for an hour, etc. But if you can't do that then practice the scenerios I mentioned above. It is so helpful in desensitizing. Feel any feelings that come up for you while you read. You will be amazed at how calm you become while reading.
Prepare for your plane ride with:
Reading material
tape deck and meditation tape
cards
writing paper and pen
food/snacks
and whatever else you need to personalize your trip.
Use your breathwork on the trip before, during and after. Practice replacing scary thoughts with truth statements that are positive and motivate you to get excited about your trip. Practice, too, allowing thoughts to come and go without your attachment to them.
You can handle this and remind yourself of this often.
Have a great trip!
You can write up a worst case scenerio. Write about 3 pages worth of how horrible you expect the plane ride to be. Make it horrifically horrible. List all your fears and concerns and what you think could possibly happen in regard to your panic attacks. Now read this worst case scenerio for 45 minutes a day - until you no longer have an emotional attachment to what your wrote.
That's one way. Another way is to write up a Success Scenerio. This time you write how you want the trip to look like for you. You read this everyday prior to your trip. (You can read it more than once a day if you wish.)
It really helps if you could do small trips prior to this trip on the 2nd. Fly for 30 minutes somewhere and back. Feeling all those uncomfortable feelings. Extend a flight for an hour, etc. But if you can't do that then practice the scenerios I mentioned above. It is so helpful in desensitizing. Feel any feelings that come up for you while you read. You will be amazed at how calm you become while reading.
Prepare for your plane ride with:
Reading material
tape deck and meditation tape
cards
writing paper and pen
food/snacks
and whatever else you need to personalize your trip.
Use your breathwork on the trip before, during and after. Practice replacing scary thoughts with truth statements that are positive and motivate you to get excited about your trip. Practice, too, allowing thoughts to come and go without your attachment to them.
You can handle this and remind yourself of this often.
Have a great trip!