Fear of flying is common in an average person. So, if someone suffering from an anxiety disorder experiences flying anxiety, it is completely understandable. Overcoming fear of flying is even harder for an anxiety disorder sufferer.
An anxiety disorder sufferer isn’t really afraid of an aircraft malfunction or some sort of mechanical failure during the flight. What they are afraid of is an uncontrollable panic attack or anxiety attack during the flight. A severe anxiety sufferer feels like they are carrying an internal bomb which might trigger at any moment, and if they don’t have a safe exit around them, they might hurt themselves or someone else around them.
But just like everything else related with a Anxiety Disorder, you can easily learn how to control your panic attacks and go through an entire flight without panic. Here are a few ways which will help you get over the fear of flying.
1. Don’t take it as something that you are afraid of or have to go through. Instead, think of it as a challenge which you WILL go through and come out the other end a stronger and a more confident individual. Remember, panic attacks and your anxiety have never hurt you till now and no matter what you situation you were in, you always came out the other end unharmed. Be excited for your flying experience and look at it as another challenge you need to overcome to completely eliminate anxiety. Your attitude while booking the ticket is important.
2. Make sure that you get enough rest the night before. The more stressed you are, the harder it will be for you. So get adequate amount of sleep before the flight.
3. Plan everything before. Make sure you are not late for the flight. The last thing you want is to make an already stressful trip more stressful by arriving at the airport at the last time. Provide enough time to clear the customs etc. You can do this by arriving at the airport well before your flight departure time.
4. When you enter the plane, don’t try to hide your anxiety from the crew. Tell them about your condition. If possible, talk to the captain about your condition. It helps a lot in decreasing your fear once you have talked to the captain and know that everything is alright.
5. During the flight, don’t try to run away from your anxious thoughts. The more you try to hide them, the stronger they will come back. The best way to tackle this is to expect the anxious thoughts. And if you do feel anxious, don’t over react, just accept the anxiety and don’t react. By not reacting you show confidence and control. The thoughts and the fear shock-waves that you feel will pass away in a few minutes. They might come back, and do the same this time and let them pass away.
Hopefully, these tips will help you in your road to recovery from Panic Attacks and Anxiety Disorder. But don’t force yourself to go on a flight unless you think you are ready for it. Before going for such bigger challenges, like going through a flight, you need to first establish a strong base and learn how to subdue your anxiety and panic in less fearful situations.
