Polar Bear
23-01-13, 10:16
In an effort to help others and put something back into this forum which has helped me I wanted to post this.
Until 2004 I hadn't flown since 1978! Not sure what really made me take the flight in 2004 but I needed to, to help my myself. Whilst I felt absolutely petified at take off and landing, couldn't look out of the window etc I got through the flight.
Subsequent flights ensued and I took to taking diazapam to help get me through the flights. I shut my eyes and tried to take my mind off the flying especially at take off.
I've been having counselling for a couple of years now for general anxiety and a few times before a flight I have spoken to my counsellor and done visualisation exercises to overcome my fears.
I flew again about 10 days ago. Only 1 and a half hours. I still took a small diazapam dose (2mg) before the flights I think that I have now conquered this particular fear. There was a moment when I thought I don't want to do this but it passed. I can now look out of the window (which has allowed me to see things like the alps and Venice from the air - wonderful sights!).
Pleased with myself for once. Can't stress enough how frightened I was for so many years and how this stopped me seeing so much of what can be such a beautiful world out there but now AT LAST I'm not frightened anymore!
I used to say to myself if I saw people doing things that they were frightened of, that they can't be frightened as they wouldn't do it. I was wrong I somehow faced this eventually and it has taken me 9 years and a numbe rof flights to really break my fears but I've done it.
If you are afraid of flying maybe you can too!
Mike
Until 2004 I hadn't flown since 1978! Not sure what really made me take the flight in 2004 but I needed to, to help my myself. Whilst I felt absolutely petified at take off and landing, couldn't look out of the window etc I got through the flight.
Subsequent flights ensued and I took to taking diazapam to help get me through the flights. I shut my eyes and tried to take my mind off the flying especially at take off.
I've been having counselling for a couple of years now for general anxiety and a few times before a flight I have spoken to my counsellor and done visualisation exercises to overcome my fears.
I flew again about 10 days ago. Only 1 and a half hours. I still took a small diazapam dose (2mg) before the flights I think that I have now conquered this particular fear. There was a moment when I thought I don't want to do this but it passed. I can now look out of the window (which has allowed me to see things like the alps and Venice from the air - wonderful sights!).
Pleased with myself for once. Can't stress enough how frightened I was for so many years and how this stopped me seeing so much of what can be such a beautiful world out there but now AT LAST I'm not frightened anymore!
I used to say to myself if I saw people doing things that they were frightened of, that they can't be frightened as they wouldn't do it. I was wrong I somehow faced this eventually and it has taken me 9 years and a numbe rof flights to really break my fears but I've done it.
If you are afraid of flying maybe you can too!
Mike