Hi, I have been wanting to travel to see someone for a while now but I have not been on a plane ever since last year when I experienced extreme anxiety that resulted in me barely leaving my hotel for the duration of that trip. I would be traveling by myself so I have no one else to rely on when anx strikes. I would love to hear from other anxiety sufferers how they deal with situations that involve traveling by car or plane.
I have already tried out homeopathic remedies (Rescue drops, bach flowers, st john’s wort) but they had zero effect. Xanax helped a bit. Then again I never tested it in an extremely stressful situation. Did anyone have any success with tapping? I have to say I find it a bit embarrassing to do it in public. Wanted to do it once but my anxiety was so strong that I forgot where I was supposed to tap and what I was supposed to say
Other things I have tried but only with limited success is progressive relaxation, stretching/moving around if I can, carry a perfume with a calming scent (lavender) in my bag, direct my focus to other things (asking myself how my hands, legs, eyes etc feel or looking around) and before going into a stressful situation I try to envisage it so that I feel like I am somewhat prepared. Something that also helps me is texting a close friend. The world feels less scary when there is someone who cares and it puts everything into perspective. Also putting my feelings into words tends to have the effect of bringing me back in touch with reality and it usually helps me calm down. Of course that wont be possible when Im on a plane. Another thing is keeping the breathing under control. I tend to overbreathe and that usually leads to other unpleasant things. It would be very helpful if others could share what they do to keep the anxiety under control. Thanks!

i'm not really 1 to talk, i hardly leave my house but, tell me.. is their something particular about plains that scare you?. the landing?. the taking off?. or all of it

maybe you could think about the various asspects of the trip, and try and think positively... why am i anxious about it, i'm safely strapped in so i'm not going to fall out if their's turbulence, they've shown the safety video so i know all thee instructions, their's the cabbin call button which i can press at anytime during the flight and get someone to come and talk to me, all i have to do is sit here, and enjoy the flight... i'm not going to die, i'm not going to crash... and it's going to be over- and i'm going to be fine when i come out the other side. when you start feeling anxious... stop, think about why you're anxious, then do what i said.. try and think of something good from that situation

hi, im not afraid of flying or crashing. i have problems dealing with crowded airports, stressed ppl, long lines at safety checks or passport control etc. i get overwhelmed from too much input around me. staying in line is hardest for me. the flying itself is fine although turbulences do make me sick sometimes. what you said about talking to yourself and reassure that everything will be ok works formebut only when the anx is relatively low. thanks for your reply : )

[Miswimmy1]

I'm not sure what options u have about that... I get overstimulated too in situations like that and tend to shut down because I'm overwhelmed. Will u be flying alone? If not, then maybe whoever is with u can hold u hand as a way to focus. Planning ahead always helps to make things as less stressful, so buy your ticket ahead, check in online before u get to the airport, etc. not much else u can do tho about security, etc. if u have a t, I would run through it and envision it as much as possible beforehand. Also, can u take something? Xanax? Ativan? Something to take the edge off?

Thanks miswimmy1. I have tried Ativan but Xanax worked a bit better. I would be traveling by myself so I have no one who can hold my hand and calm me down Wished there was a way I could desensitize myself more to these things. Thanks for your reply

personally, laura8, i think you're extremely brave.

you're aware of all the anxieties you have at the airport, and you know it's going to be difficult for you.. but you're trying it.

go you!

would it perhaps help if you took something like an I pod to the airport?. while you're walking around the crowded terminal, you can listen to music to drown out the crowds

and as for waiting in line, could you perhaps get their really early?. as soon as check in opens?. that way you'll have less of a wait time- if you arive at the desk before it opens that should be good.

only giving suggestions..

[OrangeMoira]

Wow, it sounds like you're already a pro at all the usual coping techniques. Sorry they haven't been helpful enough in very high stress situations. Traveling gets too me too; just too many people too close to me. I sometimes get irritated/angry--it's my defense against the fear. Not a helpful habit, though!

I have a beaded bracelet that I can run my fingers along as I do affirmations. I do it during peaceful times; then when I do it while stressed it brings up the feeling of peace. It gives my something physical to pay attention to and occupies my mind. I find it easier to remember my sayings with the beads, too.

I also count when I'm panicking. Gives me something to focus. I can't listen to music when I'm really freaking out, but radio shows with people speaking helps a lot.

I think you know that what will help most in the long term is "desensitizing" yourself. Are you working on your root problem of dealing with crowds and stressful places? You can't do exposure for the cramped plane ride, but you could ride a bus (eventually if you're not up to it now).

Good luck working on this!

I feel the same exact way...I can really relate. For me, it is the crowds, lines, being smushed so close to other people and all the noise. Also, I work myself up before I even get to the airport. Just thinking about it makes me feel anxious. And I get grumpy. Once I am in the plane and seated I am fine, though.

I wonder, do you have a smaller airport in your area that you can utilize? They are usually less crowded and less chaotic. Also, parking is easier. They even have valet. If not, I prefer to take a shuttle so I have another hunan being with me so I am not alone. Even if we dont chat.

I find dressing comfy for the flight with shoes that are slip on / slip off gets me through security easier. If I am traveling internationally, I make sure to have my currency in order before I get to the airport.

Bringing a carry-on and my regular bag is less stressful, as well, because I dont have to wait in line to check my bag and then wait at the carousel after the flight to get my bag. Just get in and out. If I need anything or forget anything, I purchase it when I get there.

Online check in helps a lot too. And picking an aisle seat so I can get up and down easily and without disrupting other passengers.

I know this is going to sound a little pissy, too, but since I am already fairly grumpy and my fuse is shorter than usual, when I arrange for my tickets, I request seating away from families with children. All the kid/parent angst and activity adds to my stress. I actually was moved to biz class on my flight home from Greece because the airlines seated me directly behind a family with small children.

If I am on a flight that is 5 hours or less, I take a half a pill 20 minutes before the flight to take the edge off. If it is a longer flight, I wait until I get settled in on the plane and take a whole pill and go to sleep.

I try to be low key and a perfect passenger, too. I mind my own business, ask for very little and just try to sleep

I also bring earplugs, my comfy socks, eye mask and a small down pillow and/or blanket.

I hope this helps a little....in the beginning, I would cry all the way to the airport simply due to the stress., but over time, I have gotten a lot better with all of these little things. They seem to make a difference because I feel better prepared.

Originally Posted by laura8

hi, im not afraid of flying or crashing. i have problems dealing with crowded airports, stressed ppl, long lines at safety checks or passport control etc. i get overwhelmed from too much input around me. staying in line is hardest for me. the flying itself is fine although turbulences do make me sick sometimes. what you said about talking to yourself and reassure that everything will be ok works for me but only when the anx is relatively low. thanks for your reply : )

Thanks shattered sanity but I am not brave at all. I am too scared to even start planning the trip. It is something I really want to do though and I want to do it right..meaning I wouldn't want to buy the tickets and then end up being too afraid to board the plane. Your iPod idea is something I often use Although on some occasions the music too becomes too much to handle and the only thing that helps is to retreat somewhere quiet to catch my breath and get myself together. It really depends on the anxiety level. Lately Ive been listening to meditation/nature sounds/hypnosis on my iPod while I am outside and on a few occasions it was very helpful while on others it made me feel more disconnected from reality. Thank you also for your suggestion to go in there early. That is a good idea. I wished I could borrow a wheelchair bc I tend to faint when I have to stand in line too long. But that wouldn't be right..

Orange Moira, yes like you I get irritated by some people as well. And with airports there are delays and frustrated customers, stressed out crew etc. There is no escape : )) I never get angry at them but it does make the anxiety worse and in the end I get frustrated with myself. One of the things I am trying to work on is not letting myself dragged down by other peoples' emotions. If I could do that then I could manage my anxiety a lot better. But it is quite hard because I have always been sensitive to peoples feelings and I cant just switch it off. I like the bracelet idea. Thank you for that. I tried tapping once..Maybe its similar..you combine saying affirmations with something physical and in a way you are self soothing and trying to trick yourself into believing that everything is ok. As for desensitizing myself..Im still working on it..Busses are impossible at the moment Then again last time I flew I wasn't able to be on busses either but the plane was fine. It seems paradox I know.

Rose Panachée, I work myself up too. Even picking someone up from the airport is an ordeal on a lot of days. As you said, dressing comfy and being prepared is very important. I would never show up in high heels and tight clothes..Im not trying to impress anyone. Yelling kids are very hard to deal with bc I get noise sensitive when the anxiety is bad. I often wonder how the parents manage to successfully ignore their screaming kids :]] What is even worse for me is when someone near me gets sick..That happened a few years ago and I started to hold my breath and panicked. I would take a xanax with me but Im not sure if I would be able to sleep. I never sleep on planes. I need to lie down to be able to sleep. Once I traveled over 24h including a 13h flight and I didn't manage to sleep Alcohol puts me to sleep but I would rather not experiment mixing it with my meds. Thank you for your post..Its encouraging to hear that you have come a far way. Maybe I can too.

laura- i know you can do it!

think of it like this:

if you didon't think you could do it, you wouldn't be toying with the idea of going

their's an inner strength in their hun

you can do it

it would be embarrassing to have a pa at the airport but I've already had so many worst case scenarios..i shouldn't be so scared of them. the worst thing that happened was when i fainted and hit my head. the doctor said that i wouldn't wake up and that it was only when he mentioned to the nurse that i might need stitches i woke up saying no I'm fine : ]]

Originally Posted by laura8

it would be embarrassing to have a pa at the airport but I've already had so many worst case scenarios..i shouldn't be so scared of them. the worst thing that happened was when i fainted and hit my head. the doctor said that i wouldn't wake up and that it was only when he mentioned to the nurse that i might need stitches i woke up saying no I'm fine : ]]

wow laura, that's actually pretty amazing.

not that you fainted obviously- but you could hear what was being said and woke up at that exact moment

my fear of needles must be so deeply anchored in my body that when i heard something about stitches i went into fight or flight mode even while unconscious

Originally Posted by laura8

my fear of needles must be so deeply anchored in my body that when i heard something about stitches i went into fight or flight mode even while unconscious

that's 1 thing we share... i've an intense fear of needles also!

[ECHOES]

If you don't live to far from the airport, it might be useful to visit the airport as many times as needed until it becomes familiar, and more comfortable. That will do a lot to lower the anxiety. If some of the anxiety is relieved, then if something anxiety-provoking comes along, the peak anxiety level is lower because it started from a lower point.

The airport near me is very large, but is well organized getting to, parking, etc.
Once inside, it is like a mall of retail shops. Seeing other people relaxed, sipping coffee, sitting at the open bar, reading, hugging loved ones as they go or arrive, is enjoyable and relaxing.

I haven't wanted to fly for years, but now that I've been to the airport many times with visitors arriving and leaving, I have those positive memories to draw on. It seems like something exciting now, and something I could do. I enjoy buying a magazine before boarding, and 'escaping' into that if I need to.

Hi ECHOES, buying lots of magazines is a very good idea for keeping me distracted : ] What you are saying about going there a few times to get used to it makes a lot of sense. I would think that I should be desensitized already by now because I usually go to the airport around once or twice a month to pick up or bring someone there. It makes me irritated when I try to understand my anxiety because it makes no sense why sometimes I get very anxious and other times I'm ok. On one occasion where I went to the airport to bring a friend there, the airport was very crowded but I had only very little anxiety and even stood in line and checked her bag. Yet another time I was there and there were only few people I got a panic attack and had to run into the bathroom and get some cold water before I blacked out. With me I never know what to expect and once I go into panic mode its quite hard to control it :S I'm placing all my hope on my anxiety meds and whats left of my positive thinking : ] thanks for your post.