Fear of flying???

gostac123 · Post by **gostac123** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:54 pm

Anyone out there have or had a fear of flying? I'm not afraid of heights but flying freaks me out. I want to be able to fly so bad. Has anyone overcome yet?

shiner · Post by **shiner** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:45 am

I wish I could tell you that yes I have overcome this one, but I can't yet. This is a huge phobia for me, I get anxious just thinking about being in a plane. Also like you it's not the fear of heights, or fear of crashing that scares me. It's the fact that I am trapped in a plane full of people with no escape. I am afraid of having to fight panic through an entire flight, freaking out, doing something embarrasing, or worse yet freaking out and trying to open the emergency exit. I just re-started this program and am working towards this goal. I have several other phobias that I am working on also and having success, so I am encourage that eventually I will be able to fly again. Good luck and keep working on the program.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:03 am

anxintex-I am not afraid of heights either or even so much of plane crashing-flying is actually fun and you need to counter your negative thoughts on it.It is exciting and liberating-it;s like finding a new freedom. Maybe try a short flight to get the hang of it . Like from Texas to Las Vegas or maybe to Florida? I think those flights are only a couple of hours. My anxiety comes in a form of being stuck on an airplane and not being able to get off. One thing I want to do is go to Europe and other far away places, but alot is money for right now,but I do keep thinking about the flight being soooo long and not being able to get off when i want to. It is exciting thought & like I said try a short flight. Hope this helps. God Bless You.

Maeggie · Post by **Maeggie** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:44 am

Funny enough, I work in the aviation industry. I shouldn't be anxious to fly ever you would think. But believe it or not even people in the industry, including a pilot here and there, get some fears once in a while. I know some pilots who absolutely hate turbulence. Turbulence associated with a severe thunderstorm can reak havoc on a pilot that is responsible for somewhere between 50-180 passengers. They deal with it though by focusing on the job at hand. So, NOBODY is immune to anxiety in the air. It is just how it is dealt with. I was on a horrible flight a few years ago during a winter storm for over 2 hours. It was in a smaller regional jet with 50 seats, and it definitely got thrown around some. I decided to start a distraction technique and started writing in a journal and reminding myself of the facts, which were that I am the one creating this anxiety, the thoughts are just that thoughts, and that these worries are not going to do anything to me nor for me. After a few minutes, I realized that I had forgotten about the anxious feelings I was having and the rest of the flight went great, even with the bumps. I even got kind of humorous with it, by pretending I was riding a bucking horse. If all else fails, start a conversation with a fellow passenger. It takes your mind off things and you may have a quick laugh when you find out that that person doesn't like the bumps or flying as well.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:03 pm

The only way top get over your fear of flying is to do it. It is in the not doing and the whatifing that the phobia is created. I live on an island so I have to fly! Five hours over the pacific to get to CA.

You can prepare before hand, read the statistics, do a course, work on anxiety techniques and go on the flight prepared.
The whatifing I have done over the years has always been worse then the flight itself. Once you are up there it is beautiful, you begin to relax, have dinner and a movie and before you know it you have reached your destination and land with total elation that YOU DID IIIT!!!

I know I made it sound easy but once you do it and do it again and again you begin to get better!!! That is the only way to get over your fear. Last time I flew I was so nervous before hand, Symptomatic everyday, dizzy fear full that I would stop breathing etc.... I was the last one on the plane!!! I got on and I had to laugh, there were 50 doctors on board going to some sort of medical conference!!!!

There is a great book out there called Freedom From Fear, By Howard Liebgold. VERY HELPFUL

Best,

Sammie : )

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:56 pm

I also hate did I say hate flying! Since the crash happened on the Hudson River the other day I heard a stat that over 1 billion people have flown on commercial airliners since the last person got killed. That's better than going 1 mile to the store where you have a 70% chance of being in a accident.

stargazer · Post by **stargazer** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:34 am

Check out the SOAR course at <A HREF="http://www.fearofflying.com" TARGET=_blank>www.fearofflying.com</A>. This is an excellent program, I've done it and it works!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:07 am

I am flying out 6am tomorrow and I am going crazy. I have some xanax and I am hoping that will help. I have actually been quite nervous about this for a few months now. The only problem is I HAVE to fly down to Florida because I am getting married so I can't back out. I am bringing an Ipod hoping that will distract me.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:24 am

OH PEOPLE! I am freaking just reading this stuff. Power of persuasion.

I am looking for people who 1.) Never used to have a problem with flying AND have previously traveled overseas and 2.) became afraid of flying in adulthood and 3.) are overcoming or have overcome it since using this program.

I am traveling to Prague, Czechoslovakia this April and I keep having to breathe through my anxiety just to type this.

I *AM* someone who is afraid of crashing. Statistics don't help me much either, because I tend to rationalize that if it doesn't happen often, then it might happen to me.

TONI! I will pray for you tonight. May angels embrace you with a hedge of protection over your mind and body and give you some relief and comfort on your trip.