Have to get on a plane! Help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Have to get on a plane! Help!
7
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 2:27pm

Im a lurker who has failry severe anxiety every day. Not medicated, havent seen a doc about it thats another story. Anyway got an invite to Hawaii! MUST GO! lol I need some help bc I have severe panic attacks on airplanes. Symptoms all of the above. What should I do to help myself during a 5 hour plane flight? This is a very restricing thing for me. If I can do this, i feel I can do anything!!!!!I also have restless leg syndrome but Ive been getting a handle on that and Ill live with bouncy legs.

ANy advice would be great

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 4:32pm

Welcome, Julie. It's a real treat to see you delurking:) Any sort of public conveyance makes me anxious. If I was the operator, things would probably go very smoothly. It's highly doubtful that I'll become a pilot anytime soon. LOL I practice the belly breathing & positive thinking when I get in an anxious spot. Some folks suggest listening to a relaxing CD or reading to calm them. Perhaps meds to cover your flight would be ordered short term by your dr. Telling the flight attendants upfront that you are a white knuckle flyer is a great idea. You'll be reassured & they'll be prepared to help. In fact, they know exactly what to do as this is a very common problem. I admire you so much for saying that you MUST GO! You have lots of confidence & that will win the

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 4:50pm
Hi!
Everything that Jan said is dead on. You have to find what works best for you. I would suggest trying different things in your living room and see which one brings you the most calm. If it's a CD then take that. If it's belly breathing that takes you to that calm place then practice it until the flight and during. You WILL get through this. Let me also say that the first time I ever flew was by myself and it was to ... HAWAII! My flight was 7 hours and I thought I wasn't going to make it beforehand. Once on the plane though the biggest thing that bothered me was going 7 hours without a cigarette. LOL. Upon landing in Hawaii I realized that even if it had been as bad as I had planned (which it wasn't) it still would have been worth it. It is truly paradise. It was the best 3 weeks of my life and even the return flight home was okay. Since then I have realized that I love to fly and I jump at the chance to do so. Studies show that it's safer than cars and I guess they are right. That never made me feel better but once I got through it without a panic attack and saw that it's ok I felt so much better about my control over my disorder. I don't know if you are religious but praying helps me a lot. I hope you have a wonderful time and remember to take lots of pics and get lots of souvenirs. Oh, by the way, all the t-shirts and necklaces and stuff...don't buy them from the stores. They have flea markets where you can get tons of all that stuff for really cheap. That's what I did to bring back to the folks at home for souvenirs.
HTH,
Robin
Mommy to Lukas Lee
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 5:38pm
The last time I flew, I told the attendants as soon as I was onboard.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Thu, 04-27-2006 - 2:24pm

Hi Julie, have you flown yet?

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Thu, 04-27-2006 - 10:26pm

A lot of stress over nothing. Couldnt get the discounbt tickets and $400 a ticket was not in my budget so we are driving to Vegas instead. So a milder case of anxiety to overcome. I DO have a wedding this weekend that I am in and that is stressing me out.

Thanks for asking!!!!!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 04-27-2006 - 10:51pm

Weddings have been a *hot topic* on here lately.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 04-28-2006 - 4:09am
They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, but please let us know how it goes. Wishing you luck for the wedding. These are such happy occasions that we tend to get caught up in the excitement & forget our anxiety. Hope that happens for you, Julie! (((hugs))) jan