Fear of travelling in flights

[bluemis4]

Hi guys , hope you are doing well.I have to travel by flight in next month, but I have developed a fear about that .i am getting constant thoughts about me getting extremely panicky while travelling and flight crashing.any tips on how to handle that.has any one of you faced the same fear??i know planes are safe but I keep getting this constant thought about plane crash and dying .

[OCDAdvocateKatie IOCDF Advocate]

Thank you so so so much for sharing! I know many people have this fear and it can feel totally debilitating. Rather than looking for reassurance that things will be okay, do you think it's possible to sit with the anxiety (or even tell it to "bring it on") while heading on the trip regardless as a part of your values?

[bluemis4 in reply to OCDAdvocateKatie]

Yeah, I am trying to do that.just sit with these thoughts and not let effect my actions.i will also discuss this with therapist in upcoming session.its just new for me as I have travelled by flight earlier 7-8 times but this time my OCD is really clinging on.

[OCDAdvocateKatie IOCDF Advocate in reply to bluemis4]

I'm so glad you're going to chat with your therapist. I can totally relate to this - OCD LOVES to latch onto something new. I definitely know the experience of - "seriously, I did this before and it wasn't an issue." Proud of you for noticing the thoughts and labeling the experience as OCD - great start!

[nkotbjoeymc]

After 09-11-01, I’m afraid to fly.

[bluemis4 in reply to nkotbjoeymc]

Before that. ...you felt ok?? And do you go on flights now??

[nkotbjoeymc in reply to bluemis4]

I never been on but I’m scared if I do go on any.

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate]

Hey bluemis4,

This is such a huge fear of mine and it makes me such an anxious flier. You're definitely not alone in your fears.

Like Katie said, I'm really glad you'll be talking to your therapist about this. That's a wise thing to do.

When I go on flights I like to pretend that I'm an anxious toddler and treat myself that way. I know it probably sounds silly, but with little kids who are nervous on flights we offer compassion. So, I like to offer myself that same compassion I would offer a child. I will bring something special on the flight that I know I'll look forward to. Not as a distraction, but as a way to celebrate that I've leaned into the fear and gotten onto the plane. Sometimes it's a book, game or maybe some new music. Then I acknowledge the fact that I'm afraid and give myself permission to feel that way and take my trip anyway. I do it scared and that's okay because I'm living my values!

I hope this helps in some small way. You're not alone!

Alex