first of all congratulations on doing something your afraid of. that's a really big deal.
second of all, don't forget those little cards with the breathing exercise on the back.
i swear you can't flip out and start pacing the floor and be arrested and be breathing in for 2 seconds...out for 4...i am calm, i am quiet... just like lucinda says on the relaxation tape all at the same time.

you don't have to get through it and look good, just get through it the best way you know how.
remember, your *trying* and that's a beautiful thing-it takes a lot to do this.
your doing great, and your going to be different this time, your making sure of it.

best wishes.

My advice it to relax and experience it! Many of us with A&D have problems distinguishing between anxiety and being excited! You have some safe people going with you so you will be fine. If you have a panic attack on a plane you will certainly not be the first. Tell your flight attendent of your fear - many of them deal with this on every flight and are better equipped than some therapists!

Hi Ocean,

I thought your idea of taking distractions with you was a very good idea. You'll have your family there with you the entire way and you will have a professional staff onboard to help you.

Maybe the thing to do meantime is to take some trips to the airport terminal. I did this years ago before my first ever flight and sat there for an hour or two & just watched planes taxi to the runway and land. I watched people board their plane and tried to visualize myself doing it with them.

Ironically, I went to a book signing at Barnes & Nobles the night before my first flight and met a psychologist/author named Walt Gunn. He was a TWA pilot for many years and as Captain often had to go and help panic-stricken people and was very successful at this. The title of his book is "The Joy of Flying: Overcoming the Fear" ISBN 0-9618817-0-4. It is a well-written book and I would highly advise getting it to read before the flight and even take it on board with you. I'll never forget Dr. Gunn telling me "Now dammit! Don't let this fear thing get to you- you CAN do this. And when you get back from your flight call me- I want a full report from you!" Ha ha! Boy did that straighten me up! And y'know afterwards I called him and did give him a successful report.

So, get the book, go take the flight. I'll be here waiting on a full report from you!

Thank you all so very much for your reassurances, I really appreciate it! I'm going to print out all of your responses, they mean alot.
Dlcottage, please let us know how your flight goes. I'm sure your son will be so happy that you are there and so proud of you. It is so hard to do something that we are afraid of.

A person pm'd me and she is leaving the same day as I am and her flight leaves at the same time and we are supposed to both get to CA at the same time (although she will be going to the southern area and I'll be in Northern). It is so wonderful to find friends such as yourselves who truly understand how I feel.
Sparkus, that is amazing that the pilot genuinely cared and talked with you after you flew. I will certainly find that book, I have another one that I read that is also very good that I am trying to dig out right now. I also went to the airport last time, but this airport is about 90 mins from me and I hate driving on the highway by myself, so I probably won't make it there, but I plan to leave extra early, like 4:40 am (flight leaves at 7:30 am) so I can watch a few planes take off. It really helped last time and made me appreciate the workmanship that goes into the creation of these machines and the skill of the pilots. The flight attendants were great last time, although I acted 100% normal. Hubby didn't suspect I was anxious at all. My mom's first flight on the other hand...a flight attendant came up to her and asked if it was her first flight as she could tell my mom was nervous. She gave my mom a little pin after the flight was over! And my mom was 50!

I am going to read your encouraging words every day until I fly and will think of you on my flight. I will make everyone proud and you're right, I don't have to act perfect on the flight. If I feel anxious, I will give myself permission to feel anxious and act anxious if need be. I'm not going to pass out, I'm not going to die. It's JUST anxiety!!!
take care,
Ocean

Hi there everyone I am getting on a flight tomorrow.I have not flown in 10 years. So I am very anxious.The flight is about 2 hrs. I used fly all the time until my mom passed away. So this is a huge step for me. I just do'nt want to freak out. I need to stop the "what if" thinking. If I could get a little encouragement I would so appreciate it.I wish everyone the best of luck. God Bless.

Danni71,
Congratulations for taking that step! I know how you feel, I was so afraid! I ended up doing beautifully and each take off got easier and easier and I actually liked looking out the window! I even saw another plane fly by our plane, it was really neat, and no it wasn't super close or anything, don't worry, besides it was below our plane. Now when I see planes in the air I look at my flight as a positive thing. I brought books and the midwest center material, Dvd's, ect... I didn't even end up needing anything! Was I nervous? You bet! But I was sooooo proud of myself, it beat out the anxiety. I kept telling myself, "you are doing it! You are in an airplane and you are doing awesome!"

Is anyone flying with you? The flight attendants are Fantastic! I loved ours from OH to NV (first leg), she was so super. Plus by the time you reach cruising, 20 mins has passed and about 40 mins before landing everyone starts getting excited and prepared to land, so you really only have one hour of real flying time.

You can do this and I am so proud of you! let us know how it went, I know you are going to do great!!!

Take care,
Ocean

Ocean,
Thank you for the words of encouragement. It really helps me to feel so much better. I already have my relaxation session downloaded to my IPOD. And I am taking some extra material from the program. Thanks for the support. I will let you know how I do.

Take Care,
Danni

Hi Ocean,
Its danni well I went to the airport tried to board the plane and just completely freaked out. I am so disappointed that I could'nt take that first flight.Hopefully the next time I can get through it. Sometimes I feel that I am losing my mind.

Take Care
Danni

There is a site called http://www.flyinganxiety.com that have self-help tips. But, most important they have a Fear Of Flying seminar that they conduct one-on-one sessions & at the end they conclude with a virtual reality demo.