Hi my PS friends...

It's that time of year again when I have to psyche myself up for a 7-8 hour flight home.....I am already in panic mode and CANNOT get it off my mind....it's now beginning to disrupt my sleep (which I have just welcomed back after a bad spell!)....last night I felt SO anxiety ridden, my thoughts would not let up and it drove me crazy and I did not sleep a wink....and I still have 11 nights to go before I leave!


I have so many unwelcome thoughts intruding about:

1. what if I have a huge panic onboard and freak out....

2. what if I have a heart attack because of the stress of it...

3. what if I collapse with a brain stroke....

4. what if I can't breathe....

5. what if the plane goes down.....and I die.....!

You get the idea!......I just CANNOT calm down about this...in fact I get worse everytime I fly.

It all began many years ago when I got stuck in a 2 person lift, by myself, in an out of season hotel in Switzerland...I was headed to the basement room of the hotel, where the gym was, while my then boyfriend (now my hubby) went for a run....the lift stopped and the light went out and I pressed the emergency button and no-one answered!!....I nearly blacked out, and I felt out of breath.....then it began to move down and finally I got out into the gym - where I was the only one there - and proceeded to go out through a door, which was locked...so, yes, you've guessed it, the only way out was back in the lift!....I had to psyche myself up to get back in it...fortunately it worked and I immediately went to the reception to complain.

BUT....since then I get completely panicked in enclosed spaces, and that means elevators, trains and especially planes...and long flights....of course I would avoid them if I could (and I do avoid lifts and underground trains)...but i know I cannot avoid them forever and if I want to see my family and friends then I have to make the 7 hour there (and 8 hour back) journey.

Anxiety is my second worst symptom I have (insomnia being the 1st...which I don't think I would have if I wasn't anxiety ridden!!!)

I know I can TRY and keep my mind occupied with sudoku/a book/ a movie etc.,...but 7 hours is a Loooong time to keep the panic at bay.

Any useful advice anyone?...preferably the non-medicated type!

Thankyou my lovely PS friends!

Caz

What IF you actually have a nice relaxing flight? What IF any of this occurs that you have mentioned? In the big scheme of things........If you do......you are going to survive. You always do. What IF you stop living because of your what IF'S? You will be fine......you will get through this.....you will arrive at the other end in one piece with a smile on your face. You are stronger than the What IFS. I believe in you. Take a headphone and Ipod or cassette player. Allow some soothing music to wash over your thoughts.......shut your eyes.....and breathe. always just breathe.

Try logic .. so whats the worst thing that can happen if you have an anxiety attack on the plane ?? you'll pass out .. ok ?? so ?? you'll wake up.
Look at plane crash statistics vs. driving a regular car and getting in an accident, look at all your fears and let the rational brain take over .. this has worked for me concerning things in the past .. like meeting anxiety, store anxiety etc. If you make yourself ok with whatever could happen,, ie. make your peace with it kinda like "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference." What you can change is how you think about the flight, the rest is up to God.

Caz, I think it's a matter of keeping your mind focused on the desired outcome -- a great visit with friends and family in England. The plane is just a means for getting there, and your time on board will comprise just a teeny percent of the trip as a whole. You won't be all alone -- unlike the elevator experience, and if you can get yourself immersed in a good book or something during the trip, maybe you won't even notice your surroundings so much. Bring plenty of diversions to keep your mind somewhere else -- your ipod, an engrossing book, games, whatever engages your mind enough to put you in the "zone." And of course you can also think about Evening Primrose, Squiggles, and our other British powersurgistas waving you in from the other side of the pond. :-)

Caz, I understand everything you are going through. I am the same way. I would not sleep for the 2 weeks leading up to my trips. My family also lives overseas and it is/was hard to make trips to go visit them. I still get nervous but not as bad as I used to. I usually order a dry wine or two on the plane and it helps to take the edge off for me. My flight is usually not that long though, about 3-4 hours.

Caz, it will be fine. You will get through it ( I know easier said that done). I usually just think about the fact that thousands of planes are flying everyday and they are fine. Yours will be too.

Have a great trip.

Dear Cazart,

I,ll be thinking about you all the way over here,and I know you will have a safe journey.

And anyhow I may still need to meet up at Stamford with you for my Apple Pectin!!!!!!!

Don,t you think most situations are played out worst in our minds? Can,t you think back to your last flight over and remember you were fine, try to keep thinking that

All will be well

Kath x

Hi Kath...let me know by next Monday if you want the 'Apple pectin'...as I will be trying to get everything I need by then.

Thanks for your words of comfort......yes, my mind is playing horrible scenerio's with me right now....I can't get it to 'shut up'!...maybe this is the worst thing about my anxiety!...although on my last flight home (at xmas) my hubby was with me, and I DID have a panic half way there....on the way home I did OK though, so hopefully that will play out the same this time...xx

Cazart
There you go you did fine on the way home, keep playing that back if you can. I know how hard it is when brain keeps veering off though.

BUT you will be just dandy,and have a great trip.
P.S
Holland and Barratt are on to the AP for me I,m calling in tomorrow so will let you know, thanks again though

Kath x

Caz, because I share most of your fears myself, regarding flying, I don't have a lot to offer in the way of advice....particularly DRUG FREE advice!!! Trust me, I will be using drugs next time I get on an airplane!!! LOL!!!

However, I do wish you the most peaceful, uneventful flight possible!! And your visit on the other side of the pond will be worth it!!! Plus, I do believe our anticipation is far worse that the event itself!! You will do GREAT!!!

I appreciate your kind words Floats....I realise I am not alone in this fear....which I am trying to do my best to conquer...
I'm hoping you're right about the anticipation being worse than the actual event - in fact I am betting on it too!

Caz

Okay....so I have just under 6 days to go....still VERY nervous and anxious....just read the newspaper online and found out a British Airways jet recently had a smoke filled cabin taking off from Phoenix....I just couldn't read anymore, as I knew it would evoke more negative thoughts...

Oh Boy......still need those words of comfort I guess!

Caz

Oh Girl... u and I need to get together. I am a Brit living in NC and I too have to go home on those same damn flights. Going on Sept 16th and I have the Xanax all ready. I am afraid of having a panic at the airport...I hate waiting in queues!!! Do u have to travel alone? I go from Charlotte to Gatwick and am soooo happy to see one one my siblings at the other end. Yes...we make it thru, I think the thinking about it is probably worse than the actual doing of it. Hope you have a great trip!!! (Oh you are probably back in VA now) See...you made it!!!!