Well I'm a 37 year old, well adjusted, semi successful, family man who has been attending phobia therapy for this for five months and today on both takeoff and landing, I had hyperventilating panic attacks in which a flight attendant had to come sit next to me and hold my hand to get me through it. Nobody else around me showed any sort of emotions that anything was not as smooth and normal as any other flight.
A medical emergency in the seat behind me and two go-arounds on separate occasions. Nothing wild, but when I've only taken like 7 round trips total it seems like a lot.
That kind of fear is completely irrational and can only be addressed with exposure imo. It’s wild to me that you went through with the flights while having 8.1 Richter scale panic attacks, DrTomOsbourne. Be very kind to yourself and acknowledge the strength it took to ask for help and follow through. Awesome job!
I feel like I’ve asked this before but have you tried getting absolutely hammered? The benzos really don’t really do the trick for me. They make me feel loopy, but they don’t quiet my thoughts. When I’m plastered, I’m all like “wheee I’m flying haha,” then am able to watch whatever on my laptop or in flight entertainment. Tbf, I’m not sure this would work on a very long flight. It can make connections challenging and it’s kind of embarrassing to get picked up in that state, but it works better than anything else
The best was a DFW to Phoenix hop years ago. Did my thing at the bar beforehand. Got seated and noticed I was seated next to a very cute girl. Sat there trying to come up with something to say. Finally, I went with, “I apologize in advance, but I’m not a great flyer, so I have to get a bit messy haha.” She gave me a curious look and said, “We landed 5 minutes ago. We’re in Phoenix.” Still got her number
I have a mild fear of flying which I think is maybe tied to my fear of heights. Not bad enough to ever make me not fly, but I definitely prefer to get to the airport a little early and get some drinks in. Sober flying is somewhat uncomfortable for me but I'm cool as a cucumber if I have a buzz.
I have a fear of realistic heights. I've been skydiving and loved it. I'd go again. It's an unrealistic height to fall from, and the relative speed of the ground is almost unnoticeable, therefore I'm good. Starting at about 30-40 feet up, and ending probably somewhere around a mile, my fear of falling kicks in. I love watching those insane bastards who climb the outside of buildings or bridges with GoPros. I would slit my wrist with a dull spoon before I did it with them.
I can't even watch videos like that. I feel anxiety kicking in within the first few seconds. Last night I found a YouTube channel that does these like 30-60 minute videos about real life paranormal things (like the Conjourinf house and etc.). I am already scared of the dark and normally sleep with a nightlight but I had to turn on the floor lamp in my room when I went to bed after watching all that. What a stupid fucking decision.
I saw a clip yesterday in Australia they have this horror flight simulator ride. It's inside a shipping container and looks insane. Confront your fears head on Tom! https://www.darkfield.com.au/flight
I have a pretty bad fear of heights/flying and get terrible motion sickness, so I've only done one round trip in my life. It was to and from STL for the UGA-Mizzou game about 10 years ago now. TDintheCorner and Festus McBadass were with me and can confirm how awful of a flyer I was. I'll likely never get on a plane again.
I know you can’t help what you’re afraid of but it makes me so sad for the never fliers that don’t get to see some pretty amazing places.
That was 2014 and we won 34-0 iirc. You slept the whole way from Columbia back to St. Louis. I’ll get you back on a plane someday.