If you were afraid of flying/how to get over the fear?

My fear is not as severe as yours, and I believe some people use medication to help.

What I did, seriously, is pretend I am not flying. The brain is a powerful tool. I bought a new book and a new magazine and told myself I was just going to sit here in the chair and enjoy reading for a few hours.

I have no idea if that would work for someone else, I had to fly and had to make it work.

My SIL turned to xanax... sleeps through it and the family is able to travel together...

 I never thought twice about a 10 hour flight when in my 20s and started developing anxiety when I hit my 40s. Even bridges that I used to drive twice a week without a problem can induce a panic attack now. 

When flying, meditation has worked for me. I also can calm myself watching the flight attendants. If they are business as usual it really does help me to stay calm.

I remind myself how much safer flying is compared to driving - which I never think twice about doing. And I also remind myself that I believe when your time is up, your time is up. If I didn't get on a plane (that might crash) then I'd get hit by a car or struck by lightning or otherwise meet my fate.

I dislike flying, but I love traveling, so it's a means to an end.

Dh had the same issue when he first started flying. He says he'd be fine if he was the one flying (the rest of the passengers and myself are all very glad he's not) He talked to his doctor and got a script for xanax to help him get through those first few flights, now he's usually fine and doesn't routinely take it before flying. Talk to your doctor, it's a relatively common issue, I'm sure they'd be willing to prescribe something, just make sure to let them know if you'll be driving once you land so they don't give you something too strong.

I had a self hypnosis session with my shrink. He made an audio tape and I had to practice it after that. It involved touching my hand to my head and going through a series of calming thoughts about using the plane as a tool like one would use a pencil, etc. It does require practice beforehand. I don’t do that anymore (that was many years ago) but I still have a little routine of praying and reading People magazine while taking off and landing.

I’ve definitely been in your shoes. The book Fear of Flying really helped me. The author explains what happens during a flight, such as why the flaps move on the wings and why the pilots cut back the power a little just after takeoff, which helped me so I didn’t freak out over every little noise.

Ativan helps too. Also, like a PP said, I pretend I’m not flying. If I can just get past take off it feels very much like riding in a train or in a car.

From my teens to my 40s I had no trouble flying. Being a military family moving often meant flying to keep the family together or to go visit extended family. It didn't bother me other than some mildish motion sickness when taking off/landing. Then 9/11 changed that for me. The extra stress added to the check in process really ramped me up big time. My dad realized just how bad once when we were sitting in the Ontario airport early one morning. It was cold enough our breath was condensing in front of us but my t-shirt was wet with sweat. Fortunately dramamine makes me very very sleepy; by actual flight time it had kicked in and I just wanted to sit down and go to sleep.

My advice is try to analyze exactly what causes the fear. For me it is the pre-boarding procedures (what happens if I get hung up and miss my flight?), rushing through huge airports with no idea where I am supposed to be going and gate changes (IMO flyers should get a refund if a gate is changed- Ha!) So for me I study airport maps online before I leave, try to make sure my layovers are LONG so I don't feel rushed. The more I know the better I feel. And making sure I have LOTS and LOTS of time.

Learn as much as you can about the issues that scare you specifically... and don't be afraid to ask your doc for something to calm you. I also find it helps to either travel alone (oddly) or a very calm travel companion that can be calm about my being too wound up and is ok with my need for super early arrival and long stop overs instead of efficient time management.

BTDT I could fly all through my teens and 20s without a care. Developed a huge fear in my 30s that I sort of white knuckled through the with booze and pills. Not a great way for momma to be when flying with kids. When I got an assignment at work that had me flying twice a month, I knew that I had to get it under control.

This book was a life saver. Very pragmatic about how the plane works, redundant systems, safety, etc. Plus ways to identify what specifically you are fearful about and practical strategies for coping. It's been 15 years since I first implemented it, and I still occasionally use some of the mechanisms taught.

Flying without Fear: Effective Strategies to Get You Where You Need to Go www.amazon.com/dp/1572247045/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_p8W9zbCY0SWC8

I once flew across the U.S., repeating to myself, "This is a train and I am on the ground", never turning my head to see those little plane Windows. I honestly don't know what changed but I fly with ease now. Can you take a short flight somewhere to see how you handle it? Otherwise I would suggest drugs, baby, drugs!

That’s the book I was trying to recommend but I had the wrong title. I found it to be very helpful in overcoming my fears.

My 28 year old niece was also very scared to fly. Her issue is also one of comtrol, she almost always has to be the driver when in a car. She needed to fly & took Xanax. It helped tremendously. She didn't even have to take it on the return flight ( she did say she'd always have Xanax with her, though, just in case).

Well something in my crotch area set off the body scanner. It was a big red dot on the image on the screen. I was mortified and terrified because I figured "it's just a tampon" is what they all say. When they sent me back through the scanner and let me go, it was a huge relief.

I have successfully been through since with a Diva cup with no issue so could have just been a false alarm coincidence I guess.

My niece uses this successfully, too