OCD, planes and Lightening strikes?

Question

Hi, I have OCD, with a huge fear of death Well for some reason traveling via planes has pushed my OCD in overdrive as me & my girls are boarding a plane in a week. (Got talked into this method) As it approaches my attacks are awful & of course when I am in that type mindframe I need something to take myself out of it so although this question is certainly stupid- for some reason I just want to know your thoughts.

Last night I was reading how safe planes were. I read your chances of getting struck by lightening is 1/1mil & in a crash 1/2 mil. Last night lightening struck outside & while I was on the computer conducted itself and a spark flew out. My arm was actually numb for an hour. Anyways. Probability speaking... If for instance I was 1/1mil what is now my probability in dying in a plane crash. Less because 1/1 mil already happened or more because if that happened then so could the crash? I know very stupid...but for some reason mind is freaking out with this.. TY

Answer 1

You need meds see a psychiatrist

Answer 2

Relax.  The simple truth is that the drive to airport is statistically many times more dangerous than the flight. Far more people die in the US every year in auto accidents than die on airplanes everywhere in the world combined. But, I'll bet that you're not worried about driving to the airport. You shouldn't be worried about the flight either - it's the safest part of the trip.

Your odds are actually far better than one in a million. For example, the Boeing 737NG, one of the most common aircraft flown, has an fatal accident rate of .07 accidents per one million departures.  

The best way to get over it is to face your fears. When I first stared flying, I was very nervous. I intentionally got aisle seats to avoid being able to see out the window. However, I got more comfortable after a few flights. I've now flown hundreds of times and I'm so relaxed that I routinely sleep through takeoffs and landings. There's no way to get comfortable with it except doing it.