Question by Just me near dc: Terrified to fly!?
It’s a long story but I’ve flown all over the world and was never scared and then I had a terrible flight with turbulence and in the middle of it, we descended very fast, downwards. The pilot didn’t come on the PA system so I thought we were crashing. I flew a few times after that but it was always horrific for me. I can’t breath, my heart races and I just want off the plane, even out the door, if I could. The last time I flew, I had a AZ layover and didn’t get back on the plane. It took me a train and 2 rental cars to get back to DC. My question..Is this fixable? Talking to people doesn’t work because they can’t promise the plane I’m on won’t crash. Drugs, No, I’m afraid if I’m out of it when the plane crashes, I won’t be able to get off safely. Meditation, No. Nothing works. The thing people don’t understand is that *I’m not afraid the plane will crash, when I’m on a plane, in my mind, it is crashing.* I’m just waiting for the impact. I missed my own brother’s wedding in CA! Help!
I’m a logical person and know that planes are safer than cars but if you someone said fly to CA and back or give up one year of your life. I would lose the year. It’s an irrational fear. This much I know, I just don’t know how to fix it.    Read more...