Help... I'm deathly afraid of flying, and I have a big flight coming up?

Question

I've flown before, and I've never minded it.

However, in the last couple years, I've developed claustrophobia.

I get REALLY nauseas at the WORST times (ex. on busses, sitting in class, during plays, during the ACT) and it never fails to happen. When i get this nausea, I NEED to go outside and/or get a spacious bathroom to MYSELF that's on the FIRST floor of a building. It's getting really bad.

On June 7th, I'm flying from Minneapolis to San Francisco, and I'm really scared that I'll have a "panic attack" with nausea on the plane. My parents don't believe me, so I can't get their help.

What should I do?

Answer 1

For starters, your tag is "Lonesome Loser" so I'm already a bit concerned about your posting.  I agree that you sound as if to have deeper social anxieties than Yahoo! answers can assist you with.  My suggestion would be to seek out an anti-anxiety medication from your physician.  If you truly do have these issues, then they should present in your medical record, and you shouldn't have an issue getting a one-time prescription for a flight.  They commonly do that for people with anxiety.  If you can't get an anti-anxiety medication, then ensure that you have a ride once you get to the airport in San Francisco, arrive at the gate about 30 minutes early in Minneapolis, then take 1.5 doses of Benadryl once you get to the gate (be SURE you are already at the gate and you alert the ticket agent of your flight so that if you fall asleep on the bench, someone is looking out for you) and wait for the grogginess to set in.  

The Minneapolis airport is very low-key and not very anxiety-inducing, if you ask me.  It's one of my favorite airports in the US.  Don't shop around (there's GREAT shopping in the airport).  Just park yourself at the gate early, do some breathing exercises, and wait for the Benadryl to kick in.

If you are moving to San Fran, then immediately seek out psychiatric assistance once you get there.  If you do, in fact, suffer from these ailments, they do NOT have to be lifelong.  If you don't truly suffer, then find a better hobby besides posting c**p on websites taking advantage of generous people.

Answer 2

Well, if you just wanted sympathy, I guess Yahoo Answers would do it.

But if you seriously SERIOUSLY do have psychological problems about it, you should see a doctor.

Because if you get freaked out about everything

1. sitting in class, WTF? so you're gona drop out?

2. Plays, stage fright? scared of people... ?

3.  bus, so walk there

4. during ACT? then don't go to college

deal with it, otherwise, don't make things up.

You seem to be scared of everything, miss. That seems to have a HUGE social phobia.

See a doctor

Answer 3

WOAH..im flying that day too..but im going to boston and my dad is going to pick me up and drive me to rhode island...now most likely i will be thinking of u..haha...to me flying it soo much fun....but at least u arnt afriad of falling and dieing because thats silly, planes are such a safe place...but fear of small spaces........like all fears..they cant be healed by a pill, or have someone talk to you. You need to face them yourselfe and beat them....i really dont want to go all god on you, because i dont know if u r christian or now...but the devil trys to trow things in your head that u dont need...just take the flight and take a deep breathe and sit down and put some head phones in your ears and close your eyes and listin to music...im sure everyone has said Close your eyes and u wont know that u r in a closed space...but u always do...just try to face them...haha i will be there when u take off haha in a way.......i take off at 10

Answer 4

I know just how you feel, a couple of years ago we went on a trip to Mexico, and while we were on the tarmac in Miami the plane had some sort of trouble. They had to shut it down while they fixed the problem. We were there in the hot sun on a crowded plane for an hour with no air conditioning! I wanted to run screaming down the aisle, but of course I couldn't! Anyhow, I just closed my eyes and listened to music and thought about how wonderful it would be when we finally got on with our vacation.

This month on the 11th, we're flying again, but going much further, all the way to the west coast of Mexico (we live on the east coast). I think I'm going to have a talk with my doctor and see if anything can be done for my nerves. Maybe you could visit your doctor too. In any case, bring your music on your MP3 player, shut your eyes, lean back and listen... before you know it, your flight will be over and you'll be ok! I'm sending you virtual hugs, have a great trip!