Need some feedback on why....

luvtorun

luvtorun

Cathlete
I should forget about my phobia to fly (I've never flown) and take a trip that has been made availabe to me to Italy next spring at a very reasonable cost. As stated, I have never flown and almost have a panic attack when even thinking about it, let alone a trans-Altantic flight!!!:eek: My daughter, who is going on the trip, says I'm silly. She has been to Switzerland and Italy and is raring to go back.

I have to make up my mind this week before the trip fills up. Anybody out there want to help me lay my fears aside?
 
Oh, you should definatly go! If your phobia is that intense, go to the doctor and have him give you something to help. The kind of perspective you get on life by traveling to other cultures is priceless! And you get to go and share that with your daughter it will be wonderful!
Heather
 
The benefits will greatly out number the risks, and you arer much safer in a plane than a car as Wendy pointed out.
Judy
"Likes2bfit" since 1999
 
Jane,
I'm over here in Italy until next summer and I do not really like to fly. I know some friends who have gotten prescriptions from their Dr. too. I also find it helpful to be a little sleepy so that I am able to sleep for part of the flight. (helped me with jet lag too)And I remind myself what Wendy said about it being safer too. Also I try to keep my mind busy ... looking at guide books for my trip etc... Oh and you'll have so much fun! And if you want you can stop by my place and get a cappucino and also get in a
Cathe workout ;-) ...
Cath :)
 
Cath.. that sounds perfect!!! I am wavering between excitement and terror!! My daughter is a high school history teacher and I would be going with her, lots of other teachers, some parents, and many many high schoolers. I think this would be enough to keep my mind occupied!!! LOL.....

If I wound up over there, I'll definitely let you know where we'll be, maybe if we are in the same area, we can meet. (The trip is in the spring):)


ETA - thanks so much for all of your responses. I know I am being silly but I'm afraid phobias aren't that easy to tamp down sometimes. I appreciate all of the input!!
 
Jane, as Wendy mentioned you have more chance of getting hurt in a car than you do in an airplane. I used to be terrified of flying until itwas required of me for my position. A good piece of advice that I got was to learn more about planes and what it actually takes to fly, once I learned a lot about it, it didn't seem so scary.

What scares us are things we can't control and the less we know about it the more out of control it seems.
;)
 
Jane,

You are not being silly. Phobias are real. I can understand how this trip would be particularly scary because you will probably be on the plane 9 hours give or take.

Medication would work very well for a quick fix. A long term fix would be something called "desensitization" which can be performed by a Psychologist.
 
Jane-sign up for the trip, then schedule a few sessions with a behavior modification therapist. Also, plan to take 2 benedryl on the plane so that you can sleep through the flight. Or maybe you can get a prescription for some tranquilizers if you prefer to stay awake. Your regular MD might be willing to help you with this. My DH has a dentist phobia and our MD offered to give him some tranquilizers so he could have some dental work done.

Editing to say I just read the other posts and they had the same advice. Obviously, we're on to something here. ;)

Good luck girlfriend! (And thank you for all your kind support in the last few weeks!)
 
Hi Jane...Last year I flew for the first time in 25 years!! I was scared to death. But what really helped me was flying with one of my best friends who has flown countless times. Our flight was only about 90 mins but you know I had an awesome time in Sante Fe, NM and trust me it was well worth it. If I ever got nervous during the flight I just watched my friend...if she wasn't nervous that seemed to calm me down. This is a great opportunity for you and I bet you will have a great time. Now my DH...he is a completely other story!!...:)...Carole
 
I wouldn't let anything stand between me and a trip to Italy. So far, Italy has been the single best place I've ever visited (I was there last fall).

Since you will probably be travelling overnight to get there, I'd take an over the counter sleep rememdy (or bring your own "Sleepy Time" or "Sweet Dreams" tea bag) and you'll hopefully be able to sleep through half the trip. Perhaps get those eye cover things (like they give you in first class to block out any light) and some head phones (do you have an MP3 player?). You won't even know you are on a plane then. A light tranquilizer may not be a bad idea either.

Also, if you can upgrade to business or first class, that should help alot too (it's WAY more comfortable).

Shelbygirl
 
Hi Jane,

A trip to Italy is such a wonderful opportunity! I'll go for you--Ha! No, really, I'm terrified of flying as well but I've never let it stop me from venturing to foreign lands and I've never been sorry. You just can't know how fabulous it is to visit these far away places.

What I do to lessen my fears is keep myself preoccupied. I usually take a great book, or, like Shelbygirl said--an MP3 player. Lots of people take lap top computers and bring along their favorite movies on DVD. They also show movies on the plane. As other's have suggested, you can try an OTC sedative or get something stronger from your doctor. Do what you have to do, just DON'T miss this trip!!

Also, you'll be so proud of yourself if you conquer your fear of flying. To this day I remain nervous to board an airplane, but once I'm on the plane and the flight is underway, I'm fine and I can always find some distraction to take my mind off of it.

You'll be fine. Now SCOOT!!!;) :) :D

Michele
 
Hi Jane-
I totally understand your fear. I also have 2 great fears. One is giving blood and the other is flying. Everytime I fly, I make sure I take a couple of dramamine and bring along some magazines to help pass the time. I usually have my DH there so that is very comforting to me. Even though I'm terrified of flying, I've done it so many times now that I would never consider cancelling a trip because of my fear. Now, if I could just get over my other fear....but that's another story.
carolyn
 
As others here have said already:

I would definitely say that the experience you will get from taking the trip far outweighs any possible fears you may have of flying. Car travel is much more dangerous -- and I doubt you stay stuck in your home all the time due to the fear of a car crash.

I think the fear of flying is a common one because there is a sense of losing control of the outcome. For whatever reason, some people believe they have control of things when driving a car. But that's a false sense of control. So don't feel bad about having a fear of flying -- but also do not let it limit your life experiences. Otherwise you may regret that at a later date.

Of course, I have fears when flying too ... especially if you let your mind wander to the place where all the scary scenarios present themselves. For me -- I absolutely do NOT allow myself to think about any of that stuff. I don't think about the actual flying (so learning more about how flying and airplanes work would do ME no good at all). I just concentrate on other things: a book, conversation with my neighbor, sleeping, a magazine, movie (those portable DVD players are great), etc. I don't think about the actual flying or the takeoff or the landing or anything that could lead me down the path of thinking about an accident.

Please go on the trip! It's ITALY...one of the most awesome places on earth. I think you will be SO glad you went.

Shonie
 
Okay, I signed up to take this trip.... it will be worth it, I just need to get some good drugs from the doctor before I board the plane!!!:eek:
 
I'm glad you decided to go. I was in the same predicament two years ago. I hadn't seen my family in Italy in 12 or 13 years and had been given the opportunity to go with other family... My fear of flying can't be any less than yours! Believe me. But, I just bit the bullet and made the decision. Since I decided to go only 2 months before I left, there was so much to do, I couldn't get too nervous.

But I definitely saw the doctor for medication. Xanax. It helped, believe me. However, take it a time or two before so you know how it'll affect you. And make sure to take it BEFORE you get on the plane. THAT's from experience, as well ;). Be careful, though. If you're not used to medications, it could have side affects that are amplified due to the flying, stress, jet lag, etc. I was SEVERELY dehydrated by the time I reached Rome, and the effects lasted the entire trip.

Oh! And if you can be near a window, do it! Flying over the Grand Canyon and the Alps were so breathtaking... it took my mind off of being afraid for a bit. And it was fun looking for little villages and houses in the middle of nowhere.

Have fun!! And don't think you're being silly. A lot of people feel the same as you.

Sara
 
Thanks for the information Sara... I have taken Xanax before but it has been a while ago. I will keep that in mind about amplified side effects. Actually I was thinking more along the lines of general anesthesia!!:+
 
Jane, I'm glad you're not passing this up! There are many ways to feel comfortable. I have to fly all the time for business and actually log around 50,000 miles a year in the air! It is really a lot like riding a bus only smoother! Also, they feed you, you can watch movies, you can actually have a very relaxing time on the plane.

I would recommend though that you talk to your doctor to see if you can get something to help you relax, but really it's a very easy experience and very safe.


Jo
 
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