Anonymous
- Date posted
- 4y
PrincessAutumnKPrincessAutumnK
- Date posted
- 4y
I’m sorry you’re struggling with this! I used to fly a lot as well but as an adult I struggle with the intense fear of falling from the sky or getting into some kind of plane crash. The last time I flew I did two things that really helped, the first is focused on my breathing. I was feeling terrified but I used the “box breathing” technique throughout takeoff. The second is I downloaded a guided meditation from YouTube that surrounded a fear of flying and I listened to it in the airport preboarding and as the plane was taking off. While the fear of flying may not apple to you you can almost certainly find one that fits how your feeling. Best of luck to you!!
artsygirlartsygirl
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 4y
Wow that’s a great idea to do a guided meditation on flying! I would have never thought of that !
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 4y
Thank you so much! I’ll try it. Any advice helps.
kellythkellyth
- Date posted
- 4y
Unfortunately, I don’t have any helpful tips other than Xanax, 😬😏, but I completely understand and have the same fears as you.
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 4y
Our minds are pretty weird 😂
artsygirlartsygirl
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 4y
This is completely relatable. I’m very very claustrophobic and have panic disorder. The last flight I was supposed to be on, I was promised an exit row and we got onto the plane and I was put in the last row. I started panicking and got off the plane before it left. I hate being trapped and not feeling in control. This is my biggest fear and it sucks because I love to travel. I usually take klonopin to fly. It’s a very big struggle and I’ve been really scared to fly since
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 4y
Yes! It’s such a struggle. I never had an issue while flying and now I don’t know how I can ever get on a plane again. I hike a lot and when I’m out in the backcountry I get a lot of the same worries. A lot of the “what if I have a bad OCD episode and lose my mind and I’m a 7 mile hike to the nearest road and then 120mi to the nearest hospital?” thoughts flood in. Anywhere where I am sort of “trapped” in a sense that I can’t get out immediately if I need to, makes me freak out now. I’m currently planning a vacation for about 5 months out and I can’t bring myself to buy the plane tickets yet because I’m so nervous that I’ll either not be able to get on the plane, or, if I do get on the plane, have a bad panic attack while I’m flying. It’s so annoying.
artsygirlartsygirl
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 4y
@Ald21 You’re going to regret not going though. Think of all the life out there waiting to be lived. I feel like taking meds to fly is reasonable. I have magical thinking so I worry that when I think the plane may go down that it will. I’m scared of heights too so flying is literally a nightmare. Maybe you could do some imaginary exposures with a therapist. Also, maybe try a really short flight for a weekend trip for practice. I know the feeling of being out of control while panicking is awful. You feel like you’re going crazy or dying. I recently had an experience at the drive thru where cars were infront and behind me and I felt trapped with no lane to bail. I felt the panic of wanting to get out of the car but I stayed with it and breathed through it but it sucked. Literally not being in control is so hard.
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 4y
@artsygirl That’s wild I also had a very similar experience in a drive thru one time! And I kept thinking to myself “I’m stuck in this car with my boyfriend in this drive thru. What if I lose control and blurt all my intrusive thoughts out to him?” It’s so weird how people with OCD have such similar experiences. Thank you so much for your suggestions! I hope you find some things that work for you too. Everyday life can be tough but try not to let your head get to you too much ❤️ And if you wanna go on a trip, I’d encourage you tot ale your own advice! Maybe try a short plane ride first and ease yourself into it. There’s a lot of the world to be seen still.
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 4y
@Ald21 To take your own advice*
MkcopelandMkcopeland
- Date posted
- 4y
This is how I feel about driving I feel trapped and need to escape right away. I haven’t flown in years but I know that’s how I would feel.. it sucks
artsygirlartsygirl
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 4y
Could you start small like driving in an empty parking lot ? That way you could atleast delay your compulsions to get out .
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 4y
The feeling of being trapped is one of the worst feelings about OCD and anxiety. I’m sorry you experience it while driving. Is it when you’re driving or when someone else is driving, or just anytime you’re in the car?
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