Scared of Air Travel, what can I do?

Question

I am terrified of planes, everytime I get on one I get so nervous it dosen't stop till we arrive. I will be traveling to Washinton DC in july, the plane makes one connection, I want to know if there is something I could take to help me sleep most of the way but able to change planes when we make the stop. Or maybe something that will help me relax during the trip.

Answer 1

The same question came up in this section just a few minutes ago.  Read the responses there.

Answer 2

a prescription anti-anxiety drug should work for you.

you definitely should get something like lorazepam from your doc, if u feel you cannot handle it. talk to your doc, to begin with.

try to sleep through the flight, don't get  a window seat.

listen to some relaxing music on your phone /ipod.

if you're into books- read a really interesting one. anything to distract your brain from thinking overtly about the flight journey.

i hope this helps you. god bless you.

Answer 3

A really good book that you really can't put down.

Answer 4

Im terrified of flying. Nothing scares me more. (There have been times where I was on a plane and on the verge of running up to the cockpit and telling the pilot to make an emergency landing because I was so sure something bad was about to happen, yeah, im one of those freaks) I actually flew from USA to Thailand last year (9 hour flight). It didnt bother me at all. I get the doctors to prescribe me either lorazepam or ativan (basically the same thing). Doctors will usually prescribe this. You can go to a normal doctor or one of those walk in clinics (doctors on duty). I've gone to many doctors and never had a problem getting them.

Well the bars in the airports are open 24 hours. I've had drinks that early many times, but a drink alone will not help me. It helps, but not as well as anti anxiety medication. For that Thailand trip, I had to change planes in Japan. Yes I was slower then usual but thats because I mixed my pills with alcohol and took alot of them (I dont suggest you do this, its very dangerous, you can die from respiratory failure if you mix alcohol and pills. I only did it because I viewed it as a life or death situation since I freak out with the slightest bit of turbulance) but I had a 3 hour layover and was took about 3 times the normal dosage so it shouldnt really matter if you have lots of time. Lorazepams only last about 2 hours. You would be wide awake if you only take 1 or 2, even if its a high dose. They dont put you out like other pills. They just relax you. I took this other pill on the way back and was knocked out the entire 9 hours. I forget the name of it but I wouldnt recommend it anyways. You dont want to get too drunk before a flight because sometimes they wont let you on if its obvious that you are drunk because drunk people have caused problems on planes before. I suggest you try out lorazepam or ativan. Ask your doctor for some and explain to them about the trip and insist that you want them. Then try a few of them at home a few weeks or days before your trip to see if its too your liking and you think it will help. The seats in the back of the plane past the wing feel the turbulance bumps more by the way.

Answer 5

Breathe in from your nose and out your mouth.