panicking and my trip

[tiina]

Hi!


I know this is kind of not really related to emet but then in a way it is. Ok, here's the thing. I'm supposed to go to Florida on the 30th of this month but lately I've been getting these panics almost every day. They don't come from emet but my other psychological issues. But whenever I do panic I start feeling sick and that makes the panic worse. I'm afraid that I won't be able to go on my trip because I get these panics even when I'm not going very far and going from here to Florida is far. I don't know how to stop them and the more I get them the more I feel like I won't be able to go and that I'm gonna get them more and more often. =( I guess the more I get them the more I anticipate it happening every time I go someplace and when I anticipate it it happens.


I did something kind of weird today. I don't have a driver's license but I took the bus to the airport today just to see how it makes me feel to go there. I wanted to see if I felt like I would be able to go or not when I got to the airpot.Well, it felt extremely agitating to even be there. I felt like there's no way I'm gonna be able to go anywhere.I don't know what to do. I have sedatives (Opamox) butwhen I was at the airport I felt like no amount of sedativeswould help if I felt that way when it's timeto go.


Myflights last 18 hours with layovers so I would have to be in asomewhat stable state of mind to be able to go I think. Have any of you had any experience of needing help from the flight attendants for a panick attack or something similar? If I do get to panicking I can't sit next to someone and I don'tknow if itwould be possible forthe flight attendants to let me besomeplace where nobody else is. Like their area where they spend their breaks.


Argh this isso frustrating cause I know that if I feel like I felt today when I went to the airport I won't be able to go. I become totally unfunctional and(can't speak, can't move etc.) and I feel like I have absolutely got to get away from everything.I don't want to riskpanicking real bad but I want to be able to go.


TiinaEdited by: tiina

[tiina]

hmm...nobody's replied to my post. I know it hasn't been that long since I posted it but I had a feeling this might very well happen. Maybe it's just me but I feel like now everybody's gonna think I'm not one of you guys cause I mentioned I have other psychological issues. I feel like I am one of those few to whom emetophobia is part of other mental illness. I understand that it's not the same for me as it is for everybody else here who have otherwise normal lives and that I can't relate to those of you who do but I hope that this won't scare you off.

[peachfeet]

Hi Tiina!


I know exactly what you mean. Actually, just a week ago I had to fly from California, all the way to Newark (near New York City) with a layover of three hours! Adding it to a six or seven hour trip! Then after Newark I had to fly all the way to Florida. I'm in Florida now. I can totally relate to exactly how you're feeling. Personally, I think the build-up is worse then it actually happening. I panic all the time as well. I haven't actually found a way to make it so I can be like everyone else flying: calm, tranquil, no fear.


I find sitting in the aisle seat is comforting. That way you don't feel trapped. Have you ever been on an airplane before? You honestly have nothing to worry about. I get so shaky as well, but the flight is surprisingly stable. You don't even feel you're moving. I also take Dramamine for safe precaution, but I assure you, you won't ever need it. I've flown over seven or eight times, and during each trip no one has ever vomited. Never even heard of air sickness, so don't worry about that. When they serve drinks, ordering ginger-ale really comforts. Try bringing your CD player, or perhaps a portable DVD player. A good book!


I have extremely high anxiety and I can relate to you fully. I wouldn't be afraid of any sickness, because honestly it's almost impossible to get sick on an airplane. Even if I wanted to get sick, I wouldn't be able too. Is yours a night flight? It becomes so cold in the airplane, so you can snuggle and coil around a blanket with a good book, some crackers or cookies and a coke. Don't worry. Once you're on the plane, able to settle down, there won't be any room for panicking or fear because you'll be enjoying yourself.


Hope this helped! If it didn't, or I'm off subject, I apologize.


Oh, and don't worry. I have psychological issues. I'm on medicaiton. Eek!

[tiina]

Hi peachfeet!


Thanks for replying. I'm glad somebody did. The problem is that I'm not afraid of flying itselfor of somebody getting sick on the plane. Lately it's just like I'm aftaid to go out into the world. I don't understand it and it sucks. I think it may have something to do with us having moved away from my childhood home where I had lived all my life so far. That place was my place of safety and comfort and now thatI don'thave it anymoreI guess I don't feel secure going out into the world.


I want to be able to go visit my friend in Florida. I've been there four times before and didn't have problems like this but I wasn't feeling like this when it was time to go either. I'm afraid that if I go even if I feel unsure about being able to make it that I will totally freak out on the plane and feel like I have to come back from London which is my first stop on the way.There's this huge insecurity from not knowing if I would be ok or not flying all the way there. I'm afraid of the worst,that I won't be able to go. I also don't want toface my family if I can't go because Ifeel like they will say something like you shouldn't have gotten the tickets to begin with.


Ok that's enough rambling for now. I just want to be able to go but every time Ieven think about it Ialmost start panicking.

[samara's on tv]

I remember a few years ago I was in the same predicament you are. I was flying down to florida from here (It was a non stop flight) but I was able to bring a laptop with me. During the ride down there I watched a DVD, played some games, typed some stories and read some things. Before the trip I was super freaked out (Especially since it was like 4 months after 9/11) I mean they say that AFTER a plane hijacking or crash is the BEST time to fly because security and stuff will be at it's best. I'm already on two medications for anxiety and I was on them when I went flying. I am ALWAYS scared of people getting airsick but once I actually GOT on the plane and had something to occupy myself with it wasn't so bad. I know this reply is a little late and if you have already gone on your trip then I hope you have fun.


~Monica