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OMG I have to go on a plane ( Anxiety Disorder)

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Posted 1/9/2013 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
ok So far my CBT has done wonders for me. I am more relax and calm and I am a much happier person. Everything is going quite well actually, I almost felt cured from it. UNTEL...my mother broke the news that we are going to a vacation to Florida. I am severely afraid of flighing...Just the idea of not being able to come out the plane and in the air like that is Terrifying!! I dont know what to do...I have to go and i am afraid of having a panic attack or loosing control in a plane! Please give some advice on how to deal with anxiety on a plane...It is one thing to deal with anxiety on the ground but it is another story when your dealing with it in a plane
shakehead #TERRIFIED
Posted 1/9/2013 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi LoveGod364, I have to fly to Taiwan on Monday so my plan is to take 1 MG of Ativan about an hour before takeoff.
Posted 1/9/2013 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
why do you have to go ?

are your parents unaware of your fears/anxiety ?
Posted 1/9/2013 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
I have to go because my WHOLE family is going and i have no one to stay with
Posted 1/9/2013 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
LoveGod,

I think it's a really good sign that the CBT has been working well for you until now. I'm so sorry that your family is going on vacation and you have this plane anxiety to deal with. :(

When is the vacation? Is it soon or do you have a little time to plan? I'm guessing you have a therapist since you are doing CBT, so it might be worth it to try to make a strategy with the therapist about how to deal with the plane anxiety.

I would also talk to your family about this if it is something you are comfortable with. I have no idea where you live so I don't know if this is an option, but you might discuss with them your fears and if it's possible to drive to Florida. I also don't know if this is something your family would consider.

Another thing is what oslooskar brought up, which is whether you have something to take for the anxiety as needed. This might make it easier for you to get through the plane flight.

Anyway, I'm so sorry you have to deal with this but at the same time so happy that CBT is beginning to work for you. I know well from my experiences that the anticipatory anxiety of a fear is almost worse than the actual fear. I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs,

Av
Posted 1/9/2013 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
I am sorry that you are dealing with this fear.;(  Flying is not easy for me either...I would not say that it is a major phobia of mine, but it is definitely not comfortable.

I had to make a couple of major flying trips in the last couple of years, and I found that the controlled breathing and postitive mantras that I learned in CBT helped...so put those tools to work!

I also found that giving up the control, and adopting a 'what will happen will happen.' attitude helped...actually letting go of caring so much about what happens is incredibily freeing.  You can't change the situation, no matter what...so though it is completely opposite of our nature...for an anxious person to just 'let it go' is actually helpful!

I also found some good sites that offer self-help in this area...

http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/

http://www.takingflight.us/forums/index.php

http://anxieties.com/flying.php

I hope that this helps, and that you can have a fun family trip!  Keep posting and we'll keep encouragng you.:)

S.C.

 

Posted 1/9/2013 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Everybody for the responses.
Especially Scaredy Cat..you have responded to every question i asked and gave a positive and very helpful response :)
Posted 1/9/2013 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
Take a xanax that will get you through the flight
Posted 1/17/2013 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Folks, I took 0.5 mg of Ativan before takeoff and I was fine. The flight was 13 hours and 38 minutes from San Francisco to Taipei and I had no problem with anxiety. In fact, I feel better right now here in Taiwan than I've felt in the last seven months;I wish I could stay longer as my depression is gone. I will fly home on Monday.

oslooskar
Posted 1/17/2013 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
oslookar,

I am so glad that you are doing so well! If often find that my anxiety is left behind when I travel as well:)

I hope that you have a good rest of the trip!

S.C.
Posted 1/22/2013 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Folks, I followed the same procedure today, coming back from Taipei, as I did going over. I took a half milligram tablet of Ativan a couple of hours before takeoff and I was fine.
Posted 1/23/2013 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
so good to hear positive feedback it makes me smile which lifts my anxiety i guess depression is what is causing my anxiety.
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