Intense Fear of flying

I want to face my fear of flying and fly this July (take my kids to Hawaii for the first time) but I haven’t bought any tickets to go anywhere because of my anxiety and OCD. I am so worried something bad will happen and I keep getting bad images about the plane crashing. Last time I flew was like 2-3 years ago and I flew for 2 hrs and it was the worst anxiety. I was sweating, couldn’t sit in peace and said so many prayers to God asking him to forgive me of my sins because I was convinced I would die that day. My therapist gave me some homework and is helping me through ERP. My exercise yesterday was to go to airport to look at planes. I went to In-N-Out that next to LAX to watch planes land. I was so triggered and anxious as we were getting close and I started to get flashbacks of my last flight. I held back my tears as I watched the planes. It really triggered me. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to be afraid anymore. I don’t want to show my fear to my kids because I’m the adult and I should be the one to make them feel safe. I couldn’t sleep last night just thinking about it

jrobs

Date posted: 18h

I have an intense fear of flying. Also consider what your doctor can help with! I take medication to minimize panic attacks on planes.

jrobs

Date posted: 18h

@jrobs Remind yourself also of how exciting it’ll be there when you get to your destination. Flight attendants wouldn’t do this job if it wasn’t safe! All those things help me

Anonymous

Date posted: 17h

@jrobs Thank you @jrobs for your advice. I’ve tried taking Lexapro and Zoloft and those didn’t work for me. I will reach out to psychiatrist this week to ask for new prescription medication 💊

Raven_

Date posted: 18h

Do you have anxiety while actually on the plane and flying? Or just the build up to flying and getting on the plane?

Anonymous

Date posted: 17h

@Raven_ Both. Everything about the flying experience makes me nervous: the sounds of the planes, being stuck in a plane for too long, the heights, the plane crashing.

Anonymoushi

Date posted: 17h

I also have a fear of flying, my husband wanted to take me to Italy two years ago and to England and I was almost too scared to do it, but I pushed myself to, even with the fear that I would have a panic attack, even with the fear that I would be just too scared. And I don’t regret a thing. I’m so glad that I went, It was the best experience of my life, and by the time I flew back, I was still uncomfortable, but I felt accomplished and so much better :) I realized that I would have regrets if I didn’t go and explore! I hope this helps a little!

Anonymous

Date posted: 17h

@Anonymoushi I am so happy you went! Proud of you for facing your fears 🫶🏼this helps. Thank you for sharing your experience

Yvonne120

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 16h

I can relate to you well. Right now for therapy instead of going to the airport I am looking at pictures. I have one of a real airport and a computer drawing of a plane flying above a airport. Maybe I might go to an airport but for now it's looking at pictures. You did wonderful by visiting the airport and even flying on a plane. Keep doing the exposures 🧡👍🌻😊

Anonymous

Date posted: 15h

@Yvonne120 Thank you for the encouragement Yvonne 🩷 keep looking at those photos. You’re doing great!! Praying we will get better each day

Yvonne120

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 15h

@Anonymous You are welcome. 😊👍

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