Posted by Dr. Bob on January 20, 2003, at 23:52:34
In reply to Terrified To Fly, posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 20:15:19
Re: Terrified To Fly
Posted by Jaynee on January 20, 2003, at 20:28:12
In reply to Terrified To Fly, posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 19:19:55
Hi Kara: First things first, somethings we have absolutely no control over, and death is one of them. That is why we have to live life to the fullest, while we're still here.
I hate flying also, but my love for going somewhere warm wins over the fear. I have been doing more flying than usual lately. I am flying off to somewhere warm in Feb. I also just flew off to visit family this last Xmas. I got so worked up about flying this last christmas, I started to get physically sick. What helps me alot is to start taking the ativan 2 days before I have to fly. That way, by the time I have to get on the plane, I am feeling pretty good and relaxed and I don't need to take as much when I am on the plane.
PS. my husband is a pilot, and he keeps reminding me that it is safer in the air than on the ground.
----
Re: Terrified To Fly --Jaynee
Posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 21:19:59
In reply to Re: Terrified To Fly, posted by Jaynee on January 20, 2003, at 20:28:12
Thanks Jaynee,
Part of the fear is of course, lack of control. If my husband were a pilot, or if I knew the pilot I might feel better-- actually I might feel better if I rode in the cockpit, but I don't think they'd let me! I'm glad to hear that you don't let it stop you and that you fly anyway. I have definitely altered my life around some of these fears, and flying is one of them. I would very much like to come to terms with dying-- I've spent too much of my life worrying about death (which is part of the depression/obsession syndrome). Silly things enter my mind like I don't want anyone reading my old journals-- or I *do* want people reading my journals, but I'd like to be in control of what they read, so I wouldn't be mortified, and of course I'd be too dead to care, but I worry anyway---about silly things and more important things. Then I replay the fear of the plane crashing, trying to figure out what to do with my thoughts and my fear as the plane is crashing, and how much physical pain would there be...on and on. I don't know how I want to die, but I just know I don't want to die in terror on a crashing plane. Sorry to be so obsessive about the whole thing, but I'm right in the grip of it. I did take part of a Klonopin tonight, but it hasn't done the trick so far. Thank you for the support, I appreciate it.----
Re: Terrified To Fly --Jaynee
Posted by Phil on January 20, 2003, at 21:57:50
In reply to Re: Terrified To Fly --Jaynee, posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 21:19:59
I would probably be sucking on Xanax like cough drops.
I think visualization and meditation can help a lot. Just see yourself arriving safely because you will. The odds of bad things happening are less than having an orgasm on Paxil.----
Re: Terrified To Fly --Jaynee ยป kara lynne
Posted by Ritch on January 20, 2003, at 23:26:15
In reply to Re: Terrified To Fly --Jaynee, posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 21:19:59
I remember the first trip I ever took on a jet back in the early '80's when they had the first big air-fare wars (when jet fuel was cheap). My pdoc had me on high-potency benzos for the first time and I felt MUCH better. I wanted to visit friends who had moved to Florida in the wintertime, and I got up the nerve to buy tickets. I had blister packs of Ativan 1.0mg and Xanax (the middle dosage-can't remember the size or color-it has been so long ago). They worked remarkably well. Not one problem getting to the airport or changing planes, and I loved the g-force at take-off. What was freaky was when the plane cruised in to the airport to land and had to SLOW down. That was very odd, it felt like we had frozen in mid-air (ready to drop like a rock), that bugged me a little, but still no panic. What might help is to talk with someone from the airline before the trip-and to see if they can set you up with an interview with a pilot for a few minutes and allow you to ask all sorts of "silly" questions about flying. Given that the pilot you interviewed was a stranger, and that any pilot would be a stranger later on, might make it much easier.--OK I improvised that somewhat-but maybe it could help...
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:136794
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030119/msgs/136826.html