Hi,
Dealing with anxiety and panic while on airplanes and elevators. Ironically, I travel every week for my job. Meds help and so does therapy but would be cool to hear from others with this condition and challenges. Any one else travel for business and cope with anxiety and panic when the airplane door closes?
Thanks
AnxiousTravelerGuy
I used to get panic attacks. I wound up agoraphobic for a good part of my life. I tell you this to let you know their is hope. The best way to rid yourself of them is to purposely stay in the situation until they stop. Spend a day in an elevator. It’s the way I overcame mine.
Great idea. I will have to try that. Thanks!!!
You could even break it up. Ride the elevator for one floor. Then next day try two floors. Just matters you make progress.
Wow! Spend the day in the elevator. Go hard or go home! 
Lol
Flying and driving (in a lot of traffic) have caused anxiety for me... I’ve had to work through it and not let it alter my plans (or make me so fearful I would cancel). I have strategies that help me- deep breathing, essential oils, (and a kava tea when I’m flying). Mostly it’s the DARE book approach that I read that has helped me think about anxiety and panic attacks differently. When I start to feel anxious, rather than fight it (which makes it worse and spirals) I just let myself feel it, remind myself that nothing bad happened the last time I felt that way, and it dissapates... I have a big trip coming up next month and am a little worried, but I know I can get through it...
I just started to read the Dare book. I’m excited to use its suggestions
It definitely helped me approach my anxiety differently. Knock on wood, while I’ve had the beginning sensations of anxiety here and there, I haven’t had a full blown panic attack since March and the daily anxiousness I was feeling has gone away.... sending you lots of positive vibes and well wishes.
Wow congratulations on the success
You are not alone in the flight issue. I love to travel... but hate that door closing and trapping me in.
For me it’s not being able to get out when I want. Is that the same for you? I use trigger points on my arms and hands to help, breathing exercises, noise canceling headphones, movies and crocheting. Luckily my brain can only do one thing at a time. Lol. When the want to wig out and yell “get me off this plane” happens I focus on telling myself everything is ok. Thank goodness I have a little bit of rationality. I have to say the crochet helps the most. You have to focus and count stitches which I am incapable of doing while panicking. Would you consider trying something like that?
Hi, I really appreciate hearing your story. Wow it’s great to know other have the same issue. I have often used the trigger points or had to pinch my arm so hard to break the panic that I’m left with a massive bruise. I do take Xanax before the flights because it got so bad I once did ask to get off the plane as we were taxiing and they did it. But no one on the plane was happy with me and it was so embarrassing.
At this point I’m not sure if I can fly without some help from a medication. But to keep the panic down, like you, I have to distract myself the whole time. I have even panicked while we are about to land. Or when we are delayed after landing because our gate is occupied. It’s just terrible.
And I’m so jealous of these people who can fly from LAX to Sydney or Tokyo or Europe.
I also get flying anxiety and get a big knot in my stomach, feel like I can’t breath and want to bolt yet realize I’m 32,000 feet up nowhere to go! Closing my eyes and just imagining being at my destination, what I will do later, praying. I also just write, journal to myself all my feelings. Talking to someone helps so if you can, just start chatting with the person next to you and let them know you are anxious. Strangers are actually pretty awesome on flights and many times you meet really interesting people with interesting life stories. Flights always go by faster when I get to talking to someone. Just know this is a completely normal and common fear, you are not alone!
Thank u! I like that idea. Funny, in my normal routine I have started to tell more people I suffer from claustrophobia and the response has been positive and supportive. I’m tired of keeping up appearances. And it’s amazing how many people then open up that they too have anxiety. Maybe not my exact anxiety but some kind. Or depression. It should not be dehumanizing to have anxiety or depression.
Thanks for sharing your story.
I fly every week. How was your last flight? How long was the flight, does that make a difference?
Does anyone find it harder to be in a small CRJ jet verses a 737-900?
Yes! I used to travel a lot. I would take a red eye flight so I could sleep. I also took Dramamine and then switched to an actual anxiety medication. It helped a lot!
If I’m on a longer flight, and I’m having a really high anxiety day, I will take a small tiny bite of an ambien and have a light nap, headphones in the ears listening to a movie or show.
But I hate that I have to take those measures to make a flight.
Why do we feel so guilty about meds, anxiety and panic. If I was diabetic I wouldn’t feel guilty about taking insulin. But please don’t let anyone know I take lexapro, Xanax and ambien.
Such crazy double standards.
There’s no guilt in medication. And the ones you don’t want to know you take them, don’t have to know. I think taking a little ambient will help you sleep. And some of us are on a few medications including me so no judgement here my friend!
You are so correct that if you had diabetes you wouldn’t feel guilty about the medications you take. I believe it might be more of the stigma of being a person needing medicine to fly when so many people appear to jump on a plane and have no issues. Focus on the appear... I will go back to that in a minute....
You need to stop with the guilty feelings for taking meds. Your needs are no less concerning than the person who needs insulin. You just have a different medical issue. It is no less important to treat because it is a mental issue and furthermore, just like the diabetic you are entitled to the medicine that allows you to get through your day.
Now back to those calm appearing passengers.... If you could poll the people on the plane I bet you would be shocked how many people are anxious, facing claustrophobia issues and panicking about their travel that day. Too bad you can’t see pop ups above peoples heads of who’s having fears.... I bet it would be a lot of people. The problem is, you feel alone because you can’t see the pop ups. So we just sit there in panic mode feeling so alone when we really are in good company.
Through my fears, I try to be sympathetic to other people’s feelings as they fly. I also try to be sympathetic to my fears giving myself praise as I get on and off the plane knowing full well how it makes me panic. If find longer flights make it worse.
Please don’t be the anxious traveler guy that sits in silence panicking. Allow doctors to help you find meds that work so you can tolerate your flights in the easiest way possible. Winning the game of anxiety isn’t done by suffering the most. Sorry to say you don’t get a hero badge for that. Winning is not letting anxiety stop you from what you want to do in life. Taking a medicine that helps you do that is no different than the person that takes their insulin so they can enjoy their day too.
Thank you! Your message was very encouraging and a great way to look at the situation. I smiled thinking about the pop up above people’s heads.
I’m going to not feel guilty taking the meds today. I need to be grateful that I have the meds and can function and work.
Absolutely!!!! Praise yourself for being courageous and strong!!!!
I will thank you!
Traveler, the thought of being confined in the tight seat of an airplane would freak me out right now. My panic was so bad I had to cancel a dentist appt last week. The thought of being confined in a chair with water going down my throat caused me major anxiety.
I saw an interesting coping technique if circumstances allow. Sit in a quiet room, close your eyes, and feel what your worst symptoms are. Then you name the symptom. For me it was dizziness and I named it "uncomfortable". Then you say to yourself "Uncomfortable, I can feel you and it is okay. I know you are only here to give me a message and help me.". You repeat that for each different symptom. You can repeat each mantra until you feel symptoms abating.
I like that approach Dan.
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