Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

How did you do it?

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

OMG i do!!!! I have never been on a plane and never will. I live in GA. DH and and I had to go to his best friends wedding in Vegas. Well I rented car and we drove it. LOL. I just can't get over the fear enough to try it.

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

Take a valium and you will sleep on the plane!!!

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

I did!!! I stopped flying for about 7 years or so. I purchased a book called "Fear of Flying" I believe and it helped explain a lot of technical issues to me. Then I kept myself REALLY busy the weeks and days leading up to the flight. I got a prescription for Ativan and lastly I bought this hypnosis CD on Amazon that I uploaded onto my IPOD.

As soon as I got on the plane I put on the CD - and listened to it. I swear it put me out completely (well that and the Ativan ) after about 10 minutes. After that initial flight I have not been scared again. I haven't taken medication for it wither in a while as I have flown many times while pregnant.

Good Luck

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

I have a fear of flying- a pretty big fear but I wouldn't say it's a severe phobia because I WILL fly but only if it's ABSOLUTELY necessary. I try to plan all my vacations as cruises out of NY or places we can drive.
However, sometimes we just can't avoid it.
I freak out bad on take off- that feeling of going up really bothers me... I'm ok once we level off and ok with landing- but I never really relax. I am always listening for noises, always wary.

I have to say, Jet Blue was great because the TV's on the seats kept me distracted. So I would say bring a portable DVD player, and IPod video, or something...
That and I am sure your doc can prescripe some nice anti anxiety meds!

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

I used to be afraid to fly although I wouldn't say it was severe. The more you know about what is happening on the plane the less scary it will be. Don't limit yourself by not flying. The world is an amazing place and you deserve to see it. You are more likely to get hit by lightening then be involved in a plane crash. Get some anti anxiety meds. The more you fly the less scary it is too.

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

Posted by BunnyWife

. Don't limit yourself by not flying. The world is an amazing place and you deserve to see it. You are more likely to get hit by lightening then be involved in a plane crash. Get some anti anxiety meds. The more you fly the less scary it is too.

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

YES! I'm terrified of flying. I haven't been on a plane in years. No advice from me, but I know the feeling!

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

Posted by anonttcer

I have a fear of flying- a pretty big fear but I wouldn't say it's a severe phobia because I WILL fly but only if it's ABSOLUTELY necessary. I try to plan all my vacations as cruises out of NY or places we can drive.
However, sometimes we just can't avoid it.
I freak out bad on take off- that feeling of going up really bothers me... I'm ok once we level off and ok with landing- but I never really relax. I am always listening for noises, always wary.

I have to say, Jet Blue was great because the TV's on the seats kept me distracted. So I would say bring a portable DVD player, and IPod video, or something...
That and I am sure your doc can prescripe some nice anti anxiety meds!

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

terrified, i shake and cry for most of the ride. But i do not let it stop me, i refuse to let my fear prevent me from going places.

Its really a will, but to make others around me comfortable I drink heavily and pop a allergy pill and it numbs me enough. I honestly can handle the anxiety with out doing that but I have received complaints from my traveling buddies so i have to make them comfty.

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

Posted by tray831

Funny part is.....when the plane starts going reallllly fast to get ready for take off........it's my favorite part of the flight........

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

I don't like it but I don't let it get in my way. I tell myself that the flight attendants and pilots do this for a living. Would they do it if they knew they were going to die? It helps me and having a drink or valium.

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

Both my DH and I have a fear of flying, and we are going to Fl in a few days!! I am trying to keep busy, once we are in the air I am fine, but it is the take off and landing I fear most. This time around I think I will take a xanax to help. It does suck though, soooo many people travel so much, so I try to look at it that way.

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

I have a really bad fear of flying too! I cry during take off, and like everyone said, it's almost impossible to "relax" during the flight! I always study the flight attendants to make sure they look like everything is ok. I'm probably worse than everyone else though, because I refuse to take meds or drink before the flight...my reasoning? If something happens, I need to be coherent enough to react!! So not normal, I know....so my bottom line is that I haven't gotten over a fear of flying but I feel your pain!

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

Posted by Takingthelongway

I'm probably worse than everyone else though, because I refuse to take meds or drink before the flight...my reasoning? If something happens, I need to be coherent enough to react!! So not normal, I know....so my bottom line is that I haven't gotten over a fear of flying but I feel your pain!

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

Im a mess when it comes to flying. I will never let it stop me from going where I want to go but what I put myself through before and after I step foot on that plane is just exhausting and torcherous.

Matter of fact, I just went to the Dr. yesterday to get a prescription for Xanax for my upcoming flights to Germany and throughout Europe.

Im making this flight alone and its my first to Europe. Im terrified. My palms sweat the whole time.

That, Dramamine and of course some good old fashion alcohol always help.

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

Thanks everyone for all of your advice/stories/input so far!

I have taken 3 round trip flights but I haven't been on a plane in 12 years. My husband and I want to travel and I can't let this fear hold us back! One way or another, I just have to get over it.

My goal is to get over this fear before we have kids, or very shortly after. I want go on nice family vacations and there's just so far you can comfortably go in a car.

ETA: To give some perspective on how strong this fear is, when I had impacted wisdom teeth removed and was terrified to go in for the surgery, I remember saying that morning "At least I'm not taking a flight"

Message edited 7/16/2009 4:23:59 PM.

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

I never really liked to fly... when I was 7, I went to Disney with my family and there was really bad turbulence. Back then I had a HUGE fear of throwing up... well I threw up, so after that flight I always associated flying with throwing up... it was a problem for a LONG time...

I travel pretty frequently for work now, so i've gotten much better.. but it's still no where near my favorite thing to do.

Maybe it'll help to figure out exactly what it is you're afraid of, and then like someone else mentioned, do some research on the chances of that thing happening...

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

I can't let flying worry me because you are actually more likely to die in a car crash than you would flying.

Are we all going to stop driving now?

The PPs gave some good advice. Take a valium and it will knock you out.

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

I have a terrible fear, at 29 i have never been on an airplane. Have no plans to although i want to go somewhere far for my 30th next year but now DH has a terrible fear because of me, so i doubt we will be able to do it.

I just know that the first time i get on a plane it will crash

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

I have always had a severe fear of flying and even though I forced myself to get on a plane once, I will never do it again. Sorry. I am just not strong enough to do it. Good luck to you though!

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

I used to love to fly. DH worked for Pan Am and we traveled everywhere. Then he lost his job, we had kids, and 9-11 happened. I am so terrified now i refuse to get on a plane. We drove to Disney 3 years ago because i was so afraid, and to be honest, that wasn't much better! I am thinking of a big trip next year for the fam so of course it has to be a cruise that leaves from NY!
Crazy, i know but i cant get myself on a plane!

Re: Anyone ever get over a SEVERE phobia to flying?

Not yet, but I "deal" with it.

I usually drink about 3-4 big glasses of wine at the wine bar in the airport right before boarding lol. I do that instead of having my doc prescribe me something to "calm me down" -- you can do whatever you feel more comfortable with. It helps a lot - that's for sure.

Then, when on the plane, I make sure to look around at everyone else when I get nervous -- most people sleep (which I can't even imagine doing), some people just sit there totally calm -- I ask myself, if they are calm then what could be going wrong? I make sure to bring my IPOD with music I like. I'm usually pretty good... better than when I used to cry during take off lol.