I understand how you feel as well and it was really helpful to read all of your posts. I was researching Supportive Exposure Therapy for flying when I found your post. I found that when I was typing this out, I was hoping to provide you with additional strategies and solutions, but really have a lot of the same questions as you do.
Like BlueKnight, I moved out of state after college and flew frequently to see family and friends. When I was stressed about a life event, I had a panic attack on a plane. I spent the following weeks worrying all the time about my next flight and whether I was going to have a panic attack anywhere else. I have been on three flights since with varying worry and concern in the weeks before and varying discomfort on the flights, but no panic attacks. I still however find myself avoiding trips where I would have to fly and truly feel that it is because of not being able to gain frequent exposure like in your original message. Going on a flight seems like flooding the exposure instead of gradual!
My fear is also about the inability to cope while on-board, but is more about the fear of having another panic attack and not being able to get off the plane or get help. I have also discussed this with a counselor and have developed many of the strategies that Jen wrote about. I still often wonder though how much I can control with my own rationalization and reassurance and how much is my body’s physical overreaction to being in the situation. I know flying is much safer than driving and that panic attacks cannot kill you, but it still makes me nervous to think about flying/booking a flight.
Controlled breathing and knowledge about the panic is so important, but I often wonder if facing the fear is the only way to do it since gradual exposure is so difficult with flying. When I followed up with my primary care MD (who I went to after my panic attack), he actually told me that I wasn’t doing everything I could to combat the fear unless I faced it and got on a plane. A few hours later, I was at the airport with my mom and flew one-way to the nearest city. Even though it went okay, months later I am still worried to book another flight. I wonder why the worry still persists and how to get to a place where thinking about flying and actually doing it aren’t so scary. Like all of you, I also don’t want it to limit my life! I’m hoping that working through the PC 3.0 exposure techniques will help. P.S. I’d love to hear how your flight went Blue Knight and if you’ve flown again Recovery!
