Fear of flying--is there a real cure

Being hypnotised scares me big time..I think taking the bull by the horns is a good one.....and def having someone with me that is not afraid of flying will probably help too..Thanks everyone for you invaluable help x x

You just need to take the bull by the horns and leave the drugs alone, flying is not that scary ..just like being on a bus.
Is that you absent welcome back

I was terrified of flying and still don't like it much but being determined not to pass on my fears to a seven-year-old helped me behave sensibly. However, I shall never forget being on the last plane to take off from Nantes in the gales of 1988/9 (?) – I swear we took off sideways. Once in the air, we hit a batch of turbulence and when it was over, absentdaughter smiled sweetly and said "Can we ask the pilot to go back and do that again?" I can cope with any of it now – including flights of 30 something hours to the other side of the world. (I still hold up the plane by the arms of the seat.)

However, if it's a real issue – what about cars, trains and ferries? Must be possible – just a bit time-consuming.

Take the tablets!

Yes hypnotherapy CAN help

cannot stand to fly myself. Remember being told before my first flight in the 70s - to malta - that I would be fine once I had flown. Have made short hops since when absolutely necessary but went to Canada (via New York) on the Canberra and came back on the QE2 as I could not face a long flight. It is claustrophobia and something else called 'not being in control' I think.
My son who obviously never flew when he was young and under my wings as it were - has absolutely NO fear of flying and enjoys it all. I suspect had he seen me as a gibbering wreck when he was young and on a flight with me - he would not be so sanguine.
is there a cure - I wish there was.

Wonder if Paul McKenna has a cd about it? I found his stop smoking one very good; not sure if it stopped me smoking but it's very relaxing.

Just remembered! The doctor gave my daughter beta-blockers. Seem to remember they helped her. Kept the anxiety at bay.

Hypnotherapy can work very well indeed and I would prefer people used that rather than Valium. The BA course has also been very successful.
I never used to like flying initially but now, it's no problem. It's just the journey to he's throw, then check in, then the wait, dead boring!

Don't know why that came out dark.

jessM I did NOT refer to crimson's post as rubbish! I said "what your doc said". That is NOT the same as calling *crimson's post rubbish!!!

FGS!!!!! Totally ridiculous.

My DD went on a course last year - it was the windiest of the year with gales everywhere! But she did it - I htink she was very brave!

If you can afford to take a Fear of Flying course, go for it. A friend did it and it helped enormously. You may need to pop a pill or two as well for the first couple of flights, but there's a wonderful world out there. (Another friend swears by Special Brew)

Perhaps you could treat yourself to an iPad as a reward - much easier to keep in touch with GNetters. It could almost be considered medicinal!

I am terrified of flying. Really, terrified! However both of my children and grandchildren live in America so, as I see it, I don't have a choice. I agree with jingle. Valium, diazepam or temazepam are great and I take them with some alcohol. So I feel bad for the next day, but I get over it. Really this has been a big deal for me for a lot of my life and missed out on a trip to California because of it about 15 years ago. After that I said never again!

Even the thought of that has made me feel braver!!!!seriously...

I couldnt take tranquillisers because it would make me feel worse--because I would feel out of control, I will try and find out abt the BA course that sounds really good. I wish I werent scared--it was mentioned to take someone with you that is confident, I think that is a brilliant idea because it can be transfered confidence and the train is a good idea..Its my own fault I should have tackled it ages ago, just too blinking busy.... Thank you guys, its been a great help, I could always take my laptop on the plane and spend the flight talking to all my GN friends to get me through!!!!! x x

jo7 don't you think it is a bit rude to refer to someone's post as "rubbish" even if she was quoting her doctor
Maybe it depends on the dose. Dentists for instance use a big dose of valium to render anxious patients into a semi-conscious state for dental operations don't they? And I bet they tell them not to drive themselves home.

I am a complete flying phobic so I never do it. Luckily all our family live in UK - just as well really.

I have tried flying both with and without tranqs and I vowed I would never do it again. I cannot begin to tell you how much I hate it.

I understand the physics of keeping the plane up in the air and I am not claustrophobic - I just hate the whole sensation. But then I am not a fan of speed in any vehicle.

I am not impressed by the statistics that look at deaths per mile - I think think deaths per accident would be more relevant!

Tranqs disinhibit you, so if you are scared you are more likely to let rip and gibber!

I think that if you take them on a regular basis you get used to them but if you just take them as a one off they knock you out somewhat. He might have been joking, though; always difficult to tell with him!

crimson that is rubbish (what your do said). I used to be on them when they were 'mother's little helpers'. Didn't get zombied at all! They are good effective tranquilisers.

I feel sympathy for anyone with this fear , my OH has it and its his intention to NEVER get on a plane.. he has missed out on so much although he encourages me to fly with friends and family. Now our son has announced he and his lovely girlfriend are expecting in June and they live in Gibralter so he's not going to see much of the new grandchild which is such a shame..

There are lots of things to try and I hope they work but in our case its not happening.

Oh that's clever of me just posted the same load of nonsense twice!

I hate flying too cheelu, even though I have flown many times it doesn't get any better. I have to get tranquillisers now. This suggestion is quite extreme, but if you really couldn't face a flight you could get the train down to the toe of Italy then a ferry to Sicily. There is another ferry service between Sicily and Malta. You might need to allow a couple of days for getting there!

I hate flying too cheelu, even though I have flown many times it doesn't get any better. I have to get tranquillisers now. This suggestion is quite extreme, but if you really couldn't face a flight you could get the train down to the toe of Italy then a ferry to Sicily. There is another ferry service between Sicily and Malta. You might need to allow a couple of days for the getting there!

My doctor said the trouble with valium is that you sail through the flight but you're so zombiefied you then get off the plane and walk under a bus [he really did say that]. I haven't flown for ages but when I did I always made sure I was really tired when I got on the plane [so I might fall asleep] and never sat by the window. I then pretend I'm sitting on a bus. And I take lots of imodium . You're not alone in your fear, cheelu, but there's a whole world out there and flying is the way to see it.