How To Overcome Fear of Flying, flight anxiety and claustrophobia on a plane
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- čas přidán 21. 02. 2013
- A formerly fearful flyer describes his efforts to overcome his fear of flying. He compares it to an addiction. In it, he shares his use of resources at www.fearlesflight.com including the FearlessFlight® Kit and Harmonizer.
I don't have a fear of flying,crashing,tubulances and all my just fear what if a have a panic attack then what'll i doo where i'll go i don't have any option to escape!😭 That's my fear i have the same kind of fear in trains cruise ships planes and all other thing in which i can't do anything if i get a panic attack!😭😭😭
OMG SAME AND NO ONE GETS IT. LIKE WTF AM I GONNA DO WHEN I PANIC JUMP OUT?😂 like especially when the light is on and you can’t even get up and walk around or use the bathroom and then my stomach hurts cause I’m anxious it’s hell
This is me, have you found a solution
It’s a phobia that is similar to claustrophobia, we aren’t scared of small spaces but are scared of being trapped. We want to have an escape. It happens to me on planes, trains, elevators!! And any other situations I can’t escape. I went to therapy and am excited to try to fly but Xanax is the best solutions or any type of medicine to calm anxiety! Best of luck
Same, for me it’s “omg what if I have a panic attack and can’t get out”. It’s the not being able to move around, the fear of fear, the fear of severe physical symptoms.
Omg me too! This is exactly me! So scared of feeling trapped on the plane and fear I will have a panic attack and want to get off but won’t be able too! I also have this fear on trains but feel comfort knowing that it does stop so if I really want to I can get off, but once you’re in a plane that’s it!
I'm somewhat claustrophobic. I think what part of it is is that cramming ourselves into a skinny tube with a bunch of people we don't know and going 30,000' in the air is not a normal activity for humans. It doesn't instinctively feel safe or comfortable so the only thing to do is to keep doing it until you get used to it.
I always go to the window looking at the plane seeing if their are any cuts or problems and check if the cabin crew are smiling you know everything is ok
Extra eyes are always appreciated. Know that the biggest benefit is to be aware of any "stories" you might be telling yourself that might increase your anxiety and could be eliminated with some fact checking.
I've taken his course and it helped get me on a plane again. Even the thought of booking a flight my hands would sweat. The course is helpful and digs deep into what your trigger is, what I realized after hearing so many stories from others is that everyone fears the panic attack. Regardless of what gets you there, whether it's claustrophobia, fear of the plane itself, fear of the take off, landing, etc. it's the fear of feeling out of control and panicking and usually it comes from a past trauma. He gives you techniques to help you cope, like that person who commented of all they do to cope, hey, whatever works. Thank you Capt Ron.
I have a huge fear of flying. I flew a lot by myself. But now for some reason for the last 10 years I am terrified of flying. I am extremely claustrophobic. I feel like once a plane takes off I can’t go outside. That’s the main thing like it’s stuck in my head. I always feel like I need to be in control. Just like driving a car. Because I know if anything happens to me I can just pull my Car over and take a deep breath and take a quick walk. Is there anything that you can do for me sir? I’m done taking Xanax on flights. I just got back from a trip from Mexico. And a four hour flight from Mexico to Seattle was very difficult but I was very drugged up at the same time. I don’t wanna be flying when I have kids and I think it’s very embarrassing for me. Please help
It’s panic attack. See a therapist
This is me I am about to go on my first flight and I am terrified
I have the same thing. Lived in Asia for a decade. Now can’t fly at all. Yes, I’ve seen a therapist but not many specialize in this type of treatment. I’m getting too old to drive all over every time I need to go somewhere. It’s pretty sad.
I have travelled my whole life, lived all over the world. The plane was my second home. I have not been on a plane in over 4 years cause of panic attacks, feeling the walls are caving in. I miss the feeling of flying, am even thinking of taking flying lessons just to face my fear… with no luck. I wish there was someone who could help me fly again!
@@powerpowerpower You do realize that this channel is for people with a fear of flying, right? So why come on with a snarky remark to someone with a fear of flying? Maybe you should consider seeing a therapist, you obviously have issues around feeling weak and insufficient. That’s the ONLY reason you’d respond like that on a site designed to help.
Thanks for this I have a fear of flying this does help.
If planes didn't jam so many dang people in, I'm sure most of us would ease up on planes. I know the plane won't crash, but it's that dropping feeling while trying my best not to lean(or throw up) on the people around me that gives me anxiety.
yes omg same! I have a phobia of being sick which makes it even worse
Thanks
As someone who is a Maintenance Technician for my job, I always think about something not being serviced properly, a hydraulic line bursting or valve sticking, wire shorting out and the plane catching on fire, or something like that. Also, anxiety medication has no effect on me at all and my heart rate is sky high the whole flight. If I can't see the ground out of the window, I panic.
Makes perfect sense to me...your experience leads to a myriad of thoughts related to solving issues with which you're familiar...and works well when you're on the job--but actually sabotages your efforts to relax when not in control of situations like the maintenance of the aircraft on which you're a passenger. If those thoughts prevail, anxiety is the predicted outcome. Change your thoughts--change your discomfort.
I'm not saying that all your "what if's" are not possible. It's just that it's not your job. That's why you pay for a ticket on a commercial airplane. And yes, they do sometimes break. And even crash sometimes. And sometimes people get hurt and die. And even reassurances that your chances of dying are 1 in 33.2 million people on a Tier 1 airline (industrialized countries). But we are not creatures who deal in probabilities so that doesn't impress the intuitive brain which says, I deal in possibilities and I could be that one.
Sorry, but the only path to peace is to change the way you think. You do it everyday in other areas like getting into your car to drive to work/store/movie, etc. Your brain doesn't get hijacked by your Amygdala and worry you into a ditch. If you want to talk more, contact me for a free 15-min coaching session.
@@fearlessflight thanks for your reply. I would definitely love to do a 15 minute coaching session and maybe attend a course in person if you have one. Thanks
Fearful flyer here. It's by FAR my least favorite way to travel. Unable to fly unless I'm loaded up on full strength Dramamine. I know people always try to reassure me with odds/statistics/etc. but here's problem. I think about all the poor souls who tragically were killed in airplane crashes/accidents/etc., and they too had the same odds as everyone else. I'm sure most of them boarded those doomed flights saying "flying is the safest form of transportation and the odds are in my favor. Nothing bad will happen". Not knowing that when the cabin door closed, it was the end of their lives.
THAT'S why I have a fear of flying. Because whenever I fly, I feel the odds are 50/50 because, in my mind, I'm either going to get my destination alive & safe, or I won't at all. That's why I hate flying.
Your thinking is very logical based upon the story that you tell yourself. And I would be the first to NOT in any way want you to deviate from a lifestyle that is free from flying and your choice. My goal is to help those who are fearful of flying and want to rid themselves of that limitation.
Regarding the 50/50 odds that you "feel," those aren't real odds or probabilities. Those are based upon your intuition which is the dominant way that we make decisions and judgements as human beings. You can read about this in Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman's Book, Thinking Fast and Slow. What is the story you tell yourself about people who get into their car everyday and die in a traffic accident, which is far more likely "odds-wise" than dying in a commercial airliner? We do not think in terms of "probabilities." Rather, we think in terms of "possibilities." So saying that your odds of dying in a Tier 1 commercial airliner are 1 in 33.2 million doesn't register or impress you because our minds need to hear () in 33.2 million!
Happy Landings!
@@fearlessflight Hi Capt. Ron. I appreciate you taking the time to reply back to me! I've flown before, but each flight was horrible for me. Never felt safe and I had to load up on medicine to help me knock out so I wouldn't freak out. To be honest, I feel like a hopeless case. I want to visit many places within the country and around the world, and my wife wants to start taking long distance vacations that require airline travel, especially over ocean. For example, she wants to visit Tahiti but our flight options are Air Tahiti or Air France, which had a flight that literally fell out of the sky. I've also opted out of many family reunions because I'm fearful of the flights from CA to NJ and back. I guess my biggest problem with flying is that I have to face the fact that, yes, there is a possibility that something can go wrong and end up being fatal and be "ok" with it, like everyone else on board. For some people, it's no big deal. But for me, I just can't shake the feeling that something will go wrong, despite the odds. That's always been my problem, which is why I feel hopeless. I'm envious of people who get to travel and enjoy life. I know eventually I have to board a flight whether it be for work or in my personal life. The only thing I can think of doing is loading up on medicine to stay sedated for as long as possible on both departing and return flights.
@@Sanguine_Addiction If you ever want to talk about it, you can schedule a free 15-min coaching session here: fearlessflight.newzenler.com/courses/15-min-coaching/buy
@@fearlessflight yes Sir will do!
I have a milder case so I was able to alleviate it by watching Air Crash Investigation. What the people you talk to probably aren’t emphasising is that after each crash, they find the cause and make new rules to prevent it from happening again. As a result, countries like the US (I’m assuming you’re American because you mentioned Dramamine) haven’t had ANY fatal crashes since the 2000s.
They do...thanks for your comment.
Capt. Ron has helped me so much . Thanx Ron!
This sounds more like for individuals who are afraid to fly in general but not really claustrophobic.
Claustrophobia is a comorbid issue associated with fear of flying. I always ask, "What is it about flying that would cause you to be concerned to be safely confined for the duration of a flight?" The answer to that question often lies in the lack of some technical understanding as to how risks are managed in a modern airline operation.
For the last few decades I am suffering from claustrophobia, lifts, airplanes, coaches with built in glass windows, cinemas, trains all are a no go area for me. I agree with most of the comments and I find myself too in such a similar situation.
I know it is hard to understand for others if they are not claustrophobic, and they assume a rational behaviour from us.
I have analysed myself through deep thinking and similar situation hope it might help my fellow beings and they can comment too, if any points come to their mind.
1) Assurance is the key factor, I am hesitant in the start like few minutes 1 or 2 mins are deciding factor, I had to travel on Megabus with my husband to London from Glasgow. I was alright when waiting for the bus, when we are about to board ( I deliberately queued at the end) due to COVID and night time our seats were upstairs, I entered and find myself uncomfortable my heart was racing and I got off. I requested the driver to allow me sit in the lower portion, or where the driver is so when I was bit comfortable then I will go upstairs. Obviously both drivers were not co- operative and they refused me. Tears in my eyes I said good bye to my husband as he had to travel alone and I was leaving for home. I love travelling with open windows where fresh air is coming inside. I don't know an angel lady from nowhere who was the employer came and asked me to go upstairs and just sit for few mins and we won't close the bus doors until you are okay. That few mins were a lot to help me I managed myself and reached London.
Now need to discuss the problem
2) The heating was on as it was December that feeling of sweatiness makes you feel more uneasy you need fresh or cooling air.
3) Why these buses have permanent no opening windows. A lot of research is going on and they are working on every nook why this is shut off completely.
We love sitting by near the windows why they stopped making such windows which can be easily open and shut.
These featured windows can be built in plane or dedicated few windows for the same situation passengers. Same is with trains every glass window is tightly closed why not give open sunroof or partitioned small windows where people who are suffering can enjoy more.
Planes can too have such windows for the passengers when they are landed and waiting to be got off atleast we can manage ourselves if their is delay when we can have a fresh air.
Less eating or starving always work for me. I try to have water only.
Ice pack or ice cubes are very helpful as I always bring to my nose to have a feeling of cold air.
One of the reason might be something with our nose or if we are asthmatic, internal ear passage blocked or pressure issues.
Some childhood incident one of the factor but not always, what I think it is our sensors inside the brain being very sensitive where they put a alarm when the air is more hot and we feel claustrophobic.
You explained exactly my situation
I do not fear flying, nor do I feel claustrophobia once in the air. I actually feel it once we arrive at the gate, the plane is turned off, everybody gets up and just stands their waiting for the jet bridge and door to open. Sometimes it takes a while for the door to open. Only once I see heads moving towards the open door, am I able to feel at ease. Otherwise, I feel I can't breath, I feel trapped and completely enclosed. Advice??
Only recently has my claustrophobia intensified. I used to love flying, but the thoughts of being stuck in a plane awaiting to taxi or depart makes me so anxious. When a pilot says they are waiting for a gate to become available becomes of changes or the flights lands too early, I start to get anxious. I usually sit next to the window but maybe sitting in the aisle seats may help. Thankfully, I also had my phone to distract me, with music or games. It may also help if you traveled with someone who can distract you with chit chat.
Just finished a coaching session with a student who expressed this very fear. I suggested that she simple wait and shield her eyes in some way to avoid the "trapped in a forest" sensation that can occur when everyone stands and pushes to get off the airplane despite the orderly flow. Once you have the desired space you seek, you can deplane as if you owned the entire plane.
@@fearlessflight when people get up I’m usually okay because door is finally getting opened and leaving. It’s the fear of being stuck on the tarmac for long periods of time. I’ve heard stories of people being stuck on tarmac for hours and not being able to deplane.
@@xrey83 That has happened in the past. Not often...and now it is extremely rare because there are severe $$$ penalties ($10,000 per passenger) if such delays occur.
@@fearlessflight if it is known that there will be hours of delay, will they now let passengers deplane? I would hope that they have at least medication for anxiety attacks.
I am claustrophobic person.. I always feel like I can't breathe properly inside the plane because the oxygen level inside the plane is so low... It is very important for me to go abroad but I am very scared to get on the plane because of this idea..
What should I do now?
I too have this issue and am working on it. I think the most important thing is to not run away from your fears as that tends to make things worse. In my recent flights, i made sure to have a waterbottle, something to pass time (download shows and movies) and a portable fan- the “wind” definitely provided me some relief. Hope this helps!!
Just give your life to Christ and stop being scared of death.
@@eduardodelemos7986 Claustrophobia has nothing to do with death and everything to do with being in a tight space unable to leave
@@jasonf735 I understandd, jasonF. Is that what keeps your from flying?
You might consider a free 15-minute coaching session: flf.link/15-Min_FREE_Coaching
Great video I was doing ok until the China eastern crash last week just fell right out of the sky…horrifying
so so great flight
i do not have a fear of flying. I have a fear of crashing!
Don't we all! Good point. The trouble is that if that's the only or main criteria you use for whether or not you'll fly, you'd have to quit driving a car as well because your chances of dying in an auto accident are far greater than dying in an airplane crash. In fact they are about 200 times greater.
The odds of dying in a Tier 1 airline (airlines from US, European, Australian, New Zealand, China, Japan, etc) are 1 in 33.2 million according to Arnold Barnett (flf.link/CommercialAirTravelSaferThanEver). But our brains don't think in terms of probabilities--we think in terms of possibilities. So, even 1 chance convinces us that we will be that one.
@@fearlessflight Well, I dont drive and I really, really hate being in a plane. What advice can you give me, sir?
I have a slight claustrophobia problem and last year I flew to Vegas (2 hour flight) back when masks were required on the flight. I had panic attacks felt like I couldn’t breathe or escape. I flew to Florida the other day (7 hour flight) and without the mask I had 0 panic attacks
Sounds like you've "nailed" one of your triggers. Good for you. If I can be any support, let me know.
My fear is my eardrums popping. Can someone tell me if that can actually happen? I fly at like 31,000 ft and my ears are healthy
Well it doesnt help when these attendants starts to show how water vest works and oxygen masks, that is so scary. The problem is inside the plane, people are like fish in a can. Tiny places, you cant control a thing, pilots dont calm you down when turbulences....and they often sleep while flying.
My thing is …..how can they breathe at that altitude ?!! What’s the secret ? How does it not affect the passengers 😅😭 I went to Colorado and was out of breath (I was 8 months pregnant so maybe that’s why the altitude was such a bother ,idk ) it scared me nd I need to know tht I won’t die from lack of oxygen lol ik it’s probably stupid to some ppl but someone please explain
Sir i fear to fly because Ihave fear of free fall,when plane come down then I feel strong fear so how can I overcome this problem?please help me.
Learning more about flying and aerodynamics is one particular area of educating yourself. Another equally important area is to understand your mind and the role it plays in hijacking your attention and triggering the biology of survival. If you haven't, consider scheduling a free 15-minute online/phone coaching session: flf.link/15-Min_FREE_Coaching
I literally have to see my doctor before I fly and get a prescription for Xanax or I can’t do it. I have claustrophobia so badly. It makes me afraid that if something happens, I have nowhere to go.
I believe you can get over this I know you can without the meds
@@User0600I swear I overcame many fear I believed I will overcome fear of flying too I will flying this weekend I need beat claousphobia I don’t fear death
True Muslim ❤
@@User0600we need to be fearless
Relief starts with identifying and understanding your "triggers"--those stimuli that activat your parasympathetic nervous system (your so-called 'fight-or-flight' response) and develop skills, strategies, and techniques to cope. Consider a free 15-Min Coaching Session. You can start by clicking on this link to schedule a time convenient for you: flf.link/15min
@@fearlessflight Hmm, actually, the sympathetic nervous system is the one that promotes the fight-or-flight response while the parasympathetic nervous system helps calm the body. :)
I don't know why I'm watching this, I want to be a pilot when I'm older haha
If it works for you, it works for me! Enjoy!
Do some briskwalk...light exercise... atleast 30 minutes per day.... less on social media.... have some fun at the outside...evening briskwalk...listening to your favourite music put headphone on or earphone...be happy all the time....quit drinking alcohol or coffee....coffee can spike your anxiety and panic attacks
...and alcohol going to ruined your day during hangover.....
Those are all excellent supportive strategies. Unfortunately most genuine flight anxiety sufferers have underlying issues with trauma and/or traumatic stress. For them to get relief often relies upon "bottom up" strategies that deal with the Amygdala and the Limbic System.
@@fearlessflight im started getting anxiety and panic attack at my age 25...i used to drink alcohol everynight the whole straight monts never missed a single day... and one day im driving my car the next morning after the night partying with a massive hangover... i feel that my heart rate is getting fast and fast like a racing car.... i stopped the car and get out and walked around the car untill everything is fine... its keep haunting me... i can't drive a car for 3 months...i go to the doctor he scanned me everything is fine.... so i quit drinking for half of a year and everything is fine and i can drive my car back again....and then the night before my flight...im drinking again....and the next morning i going to the airport and im just good and no anxiety....and then we are boarded on plane...once the door is close... my heart rate suddenly getting faster again... shortnese of breath... and the accelarating before take off...my god feel that im going to die..... i made it to the destination and i dont have a problem with the landing and no turbulence during the trip... after that my fear of flying ruined my life im.scared to go anywhere i rather took a 12 hours bus trip rather than a flight lol.... years by years... i quit drinking already... do some exercise.... i quit coffee too... lol... i dont have a problem with fear of flying anymore.
Thats my story 😀
Sorry for my broken English 😁
I never been afraid but for the last two years I’ve had bad anxiety I’m taking a flight from jfk to Mia in a few weeks I’m not afraid of the plane crashing I’m afraid of having no where to run (Claustrophobic) ANY ADVICE !?
Chewing bubble gum, sit close to the window, make sure to turn on air condition to keep you cool, maybe try some CBD oil before you fly, have a lot of water next to you, also eating something will trick your brain into relaxing that’s why I mentioned gum too, definitely pray, and also try to have some music to listen to keep you calm
Thats my issue as well, I don't necessarily worry about crashing...Im afraid of getting an anxiety attack 30k feet in the air and having no where to run or get help like I normally would. I'm actually not claustrophobic though, not in its true definition. Planes aren't THAT small...but still, having no way to get help kinda sucks. What I've done is taken a small piece of Xanax (yes it's prescribed to me) and kinda just understand that we aren't always in control of everything in life...sometimes you gotta learn to let go and assure yourself that someone else got it this time. Try to trade your anxiety for excitement. Also take small flights to desensitize yourself....once you see you're ok, you can take longer and longer flights.
Fear of flying is not about the airplane. It's about anticipating situations, events, and circumstances surrounding commercial airline travel. Claustrophobia is one. I've learned from my followers recently that there is a more descriptive phobia called "cleithrophobia" which is the fear of entrapment. You see most fearful flyers are hijacked so much by the "aluminum tube" as they are by the thought that IF something were to go wrong, they couldn't get out. It's subtle but I've found much greater identification with the subtlety. If you'd like to talk, consider scheduling a free 15-Min Coaching Session with me, Capt Ron, at a time convenient for you by clicking here: flf.link/15min.
Take a transatlantic flight and you will forget the fear of flying for ever
I'm afraid
Consider a free 15-minuted coaching session...schedule a time convenient for you here: flf.link/15-Min_FREE_Coaching
I have tremendous amount of claustrophobia about plane lift closed rooms. Can't travel by plane😌☹️
Now they want you to pay for the class that does not eliminate fear.
I assume I am the "they" of which you speak. What is it that you're trying to say? No one with any knowledge of the human psyche would ever suggest such a thing. Fear is a normal human response to both real and imagined threats. Fear of flying is an anxiety disorder where the Amygdala is responding to threats that are being perceived but not commensurate with the actual threat.
You would never want to live a life without fear, but one that is rife with threats that limit the ability to experience it fully without compulsively obsessing about imagined threats is not a life that most would relish.
Do you have anxiety triggered by flying?
@@fearlessflightI am ready to face my fears I believe I can learned how to control step by step