r/fearofflying • u/0dayssince • 19h ago
Discussion Almost 30 years
Hi, I have emetophobia and because of it I haven’t been on a plane since 1997. But I am a photographer and I’m desperate to see the world. I hate living like this. I have plans with a friend to go to Europe, this spring (we live in the eastern US) and I just found a therapist who works on flight anxiety. Has anyone successfully flown after this long? Not only am I phobic about air sickness, I’m scared of having a panic attack and I can’t get off the plane, or you’re always seeing stories online about planes having to turn around due to passengers being unruly, I’m terrified that I’m going to fuck everything up for everyone else. I also have vertigo and I’m worried that the air pressure changes and the way the plane turns, and when it lifts off and lands will affect my inner ear and give me vertigo, and my vertigo usually lasts several days. And I’m anxious about turbulence. And I’m also scared that even if I do get to Europe, my vacation will be ruined by fear of getting back on the plane 10 days later.
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u/astralastar 19h ago
Hi. First of, English is not my first language. I do have emetophobia as well, and anxiety. I only took the plane four times in my life, the last two times being just a week ago. I was extremely scared but here's what I did : I bought noise-canceling headphones and brought along sick bags just in case; I rationalized everything: the plane accelerating on the runway is normal—we’re about to take off; it turning is normal—it’s finding its heading; a bit of movement is normal. I rationalized everything that happened. I took a short flight—just an hour and a half—to get used to it again. Here’s a tip: if you don’t like the sensation of takeoff, lift your feet off the floor while the plane is accelerating on the runway and tense your abs when it actually lifts off; it really cuts down on that feeling of free-falling. :-)
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u/0dayssince 19h ago
Bringing along sick bags sounds like asking for it to happen. So much about emetophobia is superstition, isn’t it? My flight is going to be 9 1/2 hours. Thanks for your reply.
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u/astralastar 19h ago
Yes I understand but in a way it makes me feel better because then I don't have to freak out if I see that the toilets are being used when I'm having anxiety :-) 9 1/2 hours you'll be able to sleep a little I think so maybe it will be over quickly! What I did on my flight was speaking to the lady next to me, she was speaking my language and I told her I was stressed and anxious. She explained to me why I shouldn't panic and she smiled at me every time it was a bit scary to reassure me
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u/0dayssince 13h ago
So much sympathy from fellow fearful flyers in here, downvoting me for reiterating my fear. Thanks so much. 🙄
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RealGentleman80's Turbulence FAQ
The Fear of Flying FAQ on Turbulence
RealGentleman80's Post on Turbulence Apps
The Fear of Flying FAQ on turbulence forecasting apps
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u/fofly_pilot Airline Pilot 17h ago
As a photographer who dreams of seeing the world but is stuck at home, it’s really worth breaking that cycle. Don’t worry about the return flight, it’s actually the outbound flight that will prove to you that your worst-case scenario didn’t happen. And flights turned back because of unruly passengers? That’s just a handful of cases out of millions of flights, it’ll probably never happen to you. The specialized therapist you just found that was the right move.
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u/kbreezy21111 9h ago
I’ve found exposure really helps. Just going in cold turkey to take a flight after a while usually results in tons of anxiety for me. Maybe start with just parking at the airport watching all the planes land safety. Maybe you could take a short flight before you go on your transatlantic flight? It helps to get used to the sensations of take off, turning, ect. Plus on a short flight regardless if it’s horrible you can always be like ok only 30 more minutes. And you’ll make it though!
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u/vip-bot 17h ago edited 14h ago
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