I am afraid
Okay, so I’m making this post because I have a tremendous fear of flying, and I’m looking for advice from people who have dealt with something similar.
For some background, I’ve been on planes since I was a kid because I’m from the Dominican Republic and have traveled back and forth with my family many times. So flying itself isn’t completely new to me.
However, when I was around 12, I had a really bad experience on a flight where we experienced extremely intense turbulence. The plane felt like it was dropping and then suddenly going back up. It was terrifying, and ever since then, I’ve had a horrible phobia of flying. I’m 19 now, and it still affects me badly.
Usually, my mom is the person who calms me down. I’ve always relied on my family when flying, and my mom especially knows how to calm me when I start panicking. Growing up in a Hispanic family, though, anxiety and phobias weren’t really taken seriously, so I was basically told to get on the plane and deal with it. I’ve never been prescribed medication or really had anyone help me medically with the fear. because again when I ask my mom, can I go to the doctors so they prescribe me something, she would just say it’s not that serious but then get mad at me when I’m having these extreme panic attacks so I never was able to see a therapist about it or a doctor.
When I panic on a plane, it can get really bad. I can cry, shake, feel extremely overwhelmed, and feel like I just want to get off the plane. I’ve tried breathing exercises, trying to sleep, distracting myself, etc., but none of those things have worked very well for me.
Now I’m joining the Navy having to go in 2 weeks for a 3hr flight. and I have to fly to Boot Camp by myself. Honestly, this fear has gotten so bad that it has made me question whether I should even go through with something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I know that sounds extreme, but the thought of getting on that plane alone without my mom there is terrifying me.
I’m wondering if anyone has dealt with a fear of flying this severe and has any advice that actually helped them.
I’m also curious about over-the-counter options that might help with anxiety or motion sickness, especially because I’m going into the Navy and I don’t want to take something that could cause problems for me.
I’m also open to non-medication tricks, especially things that can help when you’re sitting on the plane and the panic starts. I’ve tried breathing techniques, but unfortunately they haven’t been enough for me.
The hardest part is that I’ve flown before and my hardest problem is I can’t even step near the plane or even get on because of how scared I am. It’s just that my fear takes over before and during the flight. I’m trying really hard not to let this phobia hold me back from joining the Navy.
So if you’ve had a severe fear of flying, especially if you’ve had a traumatic turbulence experience, what actually helped you? How did you get through your first flight alone?
I’m genuinely looking for honest advice and personal experiences.