Intense Fear of Flight

Can someone console me? I'm flying on this Saturday on a small A320 aircraft for about 4-5 hours, and I'm getting REALLY scared because I have an intense fear of flight.

The funny thing is, I used to literally LOVE to go on airplanes when I was younger, and it was until about 3-4 years ago, when I experienced a turbulence that lasted only a few seconds. It went like this: We were flying in clear air, when all of a sudden, the plane sort of flipped to the side, and went down abruptly. Utensils were thrown, the lights flickered, there was a "bang sound", people were screaming, oh my...

Until now, I hate going on planes so much.

 

Ask the doc for some valium or ativan You will wake up at your destination without issue. Liquid melatonin works fairly well too.

 

Melatonin will not work, because it only makes your eyes feel heavier, but does not put you to sleep. As for me, there is underlying fear, so I will definitely not go to sleep and will remain fearful.

As for the benzos, any cheaper methods? My country's family doctors don't carry these and psychiatrist will burn a whole in my packet.

 

Understand that flying is one of the safest modes of transportation. The pilots are highly trained professionals, go through constant checks, often including mental health checkups as well as continuous training to ensure they are the best of the best. The aircraft in use today are the worlds safest, they spend millions on the aircraft, for the best technology.

You are safer in the plane, in the hands of professionals, then you are walking down the street. You have nothing to fear. If you really do not feel confident, the perhaps before flying, see a doctor. Perhaps they can prescribe something suitable for you, that could help you relax during your flight. Without knowing your medical history, be wary of simply grabbing and taking medications at random from advice from strangers.

If during the flight, if you start "feeding your fears", then you are gonna freak yourself out for no reason. You can try clearing your mind, try relaxing, or try to focus on something else.

I want to finish by sharing a quote, that as powerful as it is, as a human, it is hard to fully grasp.
"The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity. Do not misunderstand me danger is very real but fear is a choice.”

This quote is from the move 'after earth'. Movie itself was not that fantastic, but worth it for that quote alone.

Now, while you are enjoying that awesome flight of yours, see if you can take some photos from the plane and share them here after you have landed safely.

 

Is it the takeoff that you're scared about? It is not as intense as you might remember it being as a kid. You could bring headphones so you can listen to music on the plane to put you more at ease.

 

hey bro, how was your flight, and better yet, can you share just 1 of the best pics you have from the airplane.

 

My flight turned out ok. Very smooth this time round. Very friendly people onboard this china southern flight. The pilot waived at me on my way into the plane.

The anxiety is over for now but will start back again in a few days for my outbound flight, probably even worst cause I will most likely be on an aircraft that is about 20 years old (I know this because I will be doing a connecting domestic flight, where they normally use old aircraft for). Not really taken any photos then, but will take some during the outbound trip.

 

Just to chime in here.. I fly almost every week.. In the last few years I've had 200+ take offs. I can tell you from first hand experience it's mind over matter. On the occasion there will be something that happens that i've never experienced before and it will make me more alert but it's nothing... I chuckle when someone gets spooked when the plane hits turbulence, turns, rocks, declines/inclines or when the landing gear drops... all of these things happen on every flight and it's the infrequent traveler who gets scared. No reason to be. It's all common.